Opposition Walks Out of Balochistan Assembly Over Madrassa Issue, Govt Accused of Losing Trust

QUETTA: Opposition parties, including Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI), staged a walkout from the Balochistan Assembly session in protest against alleged actions taken against religious seminaries in the province, accusing the government of failing to restore trust over the issue.
The session was held on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Speaker Captain (R) Abdul Khaliq Achakzai. During the proceedings, Opposition Leader Mir Younus Aziz Zehri raised the issue on a point of order, stating that seminaries and some mosques were being sealed under the pretext of registration.
He said that while liquor outlets were being granted licences, religious seminaries were being closed, adding that the issue was not against registration itself but against what he termed the “unjust attitude” of the administration.
Zehri stated that there are around 2,600 seminaries in Balochistan, of which 2,200 are already registered, and the remaining 400 can also be registered under the Societies Act. He warned that they would not allow any harm to seminaries and would take to the streets if necessary, even continuing teaching activities in public spaces as protest.
He further argued that according to the 26th Constitutional Amendment, the law was passed in the National Assembly first and therefore implementation in Balochistan should follow proper provincial legislation.
As tensions escalated in the house, opposition members staged a protest walkout.
Meanwhile, the Speaker directed the immediate summoning of the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) to the assembly to address concerns regarding the registration and sealing of seminaries.
The opposition’s walkout highlighted growing political tension in the province over the handling of religious seminaries and administrative actions related to them.