Balochistan Assembly in Turmoil Over New Districts: Opposition Walks Out, Heated Exchanges with Government

**Quetta:** The Balochistan Assembly witnessed a stormy session on Friday over the creation of new divisions and districts, with opposition members staging a walkout and both government and opposition lawmakers expressing strong reservations about the government’s move. Critics warned that the changes threaten to distort the province’s historical and tribal geography.

During a Point of Order, former Chief Minister and JUI member Nawab Aslam Raisani criticized the government for merging Kachhi into Sibi Division and Mastung into Quetta Division, emphasizing that these regions have long-standing historical and tribal significance as parts of the former Qalat State. He warned that the decision would sow discord among local communities over jobs, education seats, and other small-scale issues, and declared a protest walkout from the assembly.

Provincial Minister Sardar Abdul Rehman Khetran also condemned the changes, highlighting historical landmarks in Mastung and questioning arbitrary boundary decisions, including the creation of Upper Dera Bugti subdivision, citing impractical distances and resources. Opposition members, including JUI’s Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rahman, joined the walkout, denouncing what they called “Baloch-unfriendly” moves.

Government ministers, including Bakht Muhammad Kakr and Mir Zahoor Baloch Blidi, defended the decisions as administrative measures intended to improve governance and service delivery, insisting no historical distortions were intended. Efforts were made to reconcile with the opposition, including sending a delegation comprising members such as Engineer Murak Khan Achakzai and Sardar Kohyar Domki to bring them back to the assembly.

The session underscored deep divisions over administrative reforms in Balochistan, reflecting tensions between historical preservation and governance-driven restructuring.