ZHOB: In a move underscoring a commitment to public engagement and ground-level security assessment, the Inspector General (IG) of Frontier Corps (FC) Balochistan (North) conducted a surprise visit to Zhob Bazaar on Tuesday.
The senior security official engaged in informal, direct interactions with local citizens and members of the business community during the walk. The visit aimed to personally assess the security environment and listen to the concerns and issues faced by residents and shopkeepers firsthand.
Local citizens and traders expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Pakistan Army and FC Balochistan in maintaining peace and stability in the region. They noted their happiness at seeing the senior commander interacting directly with them in the market, a gesture they viewed as a positive step toward strengthening civil-military relations.
“The IG’s presence among us shows a genuine concern for our well-being. It is reassuring to see such high-level engagement,” shared a local shopkeeper.
The visit is seen as a practical demonstration of the security forces’ strategy of close liaison with the public, which is considered vital for fostering trust and ensuring sustainable peace. By moving beyond formal briefings to ground-level interactions, the FC leadership aims to gain nuanced insights into local dynamics and reinforce its partnership with the community in the broader mission of securing Balochistan.
This initiative aligns with ongoing efforts to build public confidence and ensure that security measures are responsive to the needs and input of the local population. The gesture in Zhob Bazaar is expected to be part of a continued pattern of outreach by security officials across the province.
Meanwhile in a landmark initiative aimed at empowering women, Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti on Wednesday inaugurated the province’s first-ever Pink Bus Service in the provincial capital, terming it a revolutionary step toward providing dignified, safe, and high-quality travel for women.
Speaking at a ceremony that also marked the expansion of the existing Green Bus Service, the Chief Minister called the launch a moment of pride, building on the earlier Pink Scooties programme. He stated that women’s empowerment is the foundation of social progress, highlighting the exemplary performance of women Deputy Commissioners across Balochistan as proof of their administrative capabilities.
“The launch of the Pink Bus Service, along with scholarships and other programmes, are practical parts of our efforts to create new opportunities for women in every field,” Bugti said.
