Balochistan Assembly Approves Motion for New Assembly Hall and Initiates Legislative Reforms

Quetta:The Balochistan Provincial Assembly has approved a motion to demolish the current assembly building (hall) and construct a new one, contingent upon technical reports from Nespak and the Department of Communications and Works, Balochistan. The motion was presented by Chief Minister of Balochistan, Mir Sardar Fazal Baghti, under Rule 80(1) of the Rules of Procedure of the Balochistan Provincial Assembly, which states that the current assembly hall, which has been in use for approximately 38 years, is in a dilapidated condition.

The motion proposed either demolishing the current hall and constructing a new one at the same site or relocating the new building to an alternative location, such as near NUST University or Sariab Road, due to land availability issues in the Red Zone. During discussions, former Chief Minister Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch questioned the validity of claims regarding the building’s poor condition, asking for a formal report from the relevant department. He questioned the necessity of constructing a new hall, arguing that the current building is still functional.

However, Chief Minister Mir Sardar Fazal Baghti emphasized the democratic process and stated that the issue was brought before the assembly for debate, despite it being possible to approve it through cabinet approval. He stressed that the new assembly hall would incorporate the province’s culture and proposed constructing it in consultation with experts, inspired by the traditional Balochi Gadan style.

Opposition leader Mir Younis Aziz Zehri supported the motion, highlighting that the current building does not meet the needs of the growing number of assembly members. He emphasized the need for a new building, citing the uninhabitable conditions in the current opposition chamber. Other members, including JUI’s Mir Zabad Ali Reki and ANP’s Engineer Zamarak Khan Achakzai, also supported the motion, suggesting that the new hall should be funded by the federal government.

On the issue of the cost, some members, including Maulana Hidayat ur Rehman from the Haq Do Tehreek party, criticized the expenditure, questioning the rationale for spending billions of rupees on the new assembly building while the province faces critical issues like maternal mortality and access to clean water.

The Speaker, during the session, sought legal advice from the Acting Advocate General regarding ongoing cases related to the assembly’s construction, with the Advocate General confirming that while the matter is under review by the court, a new hall could still be constructed. As a result, the motion to demolish the existing hall and construct a new one was approved with the condition of receiving technical reports from Nespak and the Department of Communications and Works.

Furthermore, the assembly reviewed the Balochistan Mines and Minerals draft law and the Balochistan Provincial Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, both of which were referred to their respective standing committees for further discussion and review.

The session concluded with discussions regarding ongoing security issues in the province, with specific reference to increasing violence in Panjgur, where 15 people have been killed in the past 15 days. Speaker Achakzai suggested that the concerned members meet with the Chief Minister separately to address the matter.