DERA GHAZI KHAN: For decades, the relationship between citizens and the police in Dera Ghazi Khan has been defined by fear and distance.
For many residents-particularly the poor and marginalised - approaching a police station meant humiliation rather than help. Justice was widely believed to be accessible only through political connections, personal influence, or financial leverage. This deep-rooted mistrust did not emerge overnight; it was the result of years of unresponsive policing and weak accountability. The recent appointment of Sadiq Baloch as District Police Officer (DPO), however, has begun to alter this long-standing perception. Unlike his predecessors, Baloch has adopted a markedly different approach-one that prioritises direct public engagement over bureaucratic distance. Citizens now report being able to walk into his office without intermediaries, a change that would have been unthinkable only months ago.
This new accessibility has created a ripple effect across the district. Field officers, aware that complaints can now reach senior leadership directly, appear more cautious in their conduct. According to local residents, response times have improved and attitudes within police stations are slowly changing. While systemic challenges persist, the signal is unmistakable: oversight has returned. Beyond office engagement, the DPO’s presence in the field has further strengthened his credibility. Shortly after assuming charge, he visited Punjab-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa border checkpoints-areas long vulnerable to militant movement. Officers stationed there described the visit as morale-boosting. “We felt seen for the first time,” said one constable posted near the border. By standing alongside frontline personnel, Baloch not only acknowledged their sacrifices but also conveyed a clear message to militant groups: state authority will no longer remain passive. For residents living in these volatile border areas, this assertiveness has translated into a renewed sense of security. “Earlier, we never knew when something would happen,” said a shopkeeper near a checkpoint. “Now, at least we feel someone is watching over us.”
What distinguishes Baloch’s leadership is his deep connection with the region. As a native, he understands the tribal dynamics, social hierarchies, and historical grievances that often complicate law enforcement. This familiarity enables him to mediate disputes more sensitively and respond to complaints with cultural awareness-an element often missing in conventional policing models. His ability to communicate in the local mother tongue has further strengthened trust. Complainants feel heard rather than judged. This linguistic bridge has made police stations less intimidating, particularly for women and elderly citizens who previously avoided official spaces altogether.
Still, analysts caution against premature optimism. The Punjab Police, like many institutions, struggles with entrenched issues such as political interference, corruption, and resistance to reform. As one officer privately noted, “One man cannot change a system overnight.” Yet reform often begins with leadership signals, and Baloch’s approach has clearly disrupted the status quo. Traditionally, policing in Dera Ghazi Khan followed a rigid command-and-control model. The emerging approach emphasises listening, engagement, and accountability-principles aligned with modern community policing. Though still in its early stages, this shift reflects a growing recognition that public trust is a security asset, not a luxury. The sustainability of these changes will depend on consistency. Citizens are watching closely to see whether openness can be institutionalised and whether accountability can withstand political pressure. These questions remain unanswered.
For now, however, a perceptible change in public mood is evident. “At least we feel someone is trying,” said a local elder. In a time of eroding confidence in state institutions, even modest reforms carry immense symbolic weight. In Dera Ghazi Khan, cautious optimism prevails. People are not celebrating, but they are hopeful. And in a region long accustomed to neglect, hope itself is a meaningful development.
