Constitutional Petition Filed in Balochistan High Court Challenging Renaming of Kalat Division
Kalat: A constitutional petition has been filed in the Balochistan High Court challenging the Balochistan government’s decision to rename Kalat Division as Khuzdar Division.
The petition, filed by Advocate Muhammad Idrees under Article 199 of the Constitution of Pakistan, argues that the government’s notification threatens the historical identity of the former State of Kalat and undermines the region’s cultural heritage.
According to the petition, while the creation of new administrative divisions for governance purposes may be justified, removing the centuries-old name “Kalat” from official records and maps amounts to a serious historical injustice affecting millions of people associated with the region.
The petitioner further stated that the former State of Kalat is one of the oldest political entities in the region and played a significant role in the creation of Pakistan and the country’s economic development. The petition argues that the name “Kalat” is deeply linked to the identity of Baloch communities around the world.
It also contends that the government’s decision violates Article 28 of the Constitution, which protects cultural identity, and Article 14, which guarantees the dignity of individuals.
The petition names the Government of Balochistan, through the Chief Secretary, the Provincial Cabinet, the Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, and the Secretary Revenue as respondents. It requests the court to declare the notification unconstitutional and order the immediate restoration of the name Kalat Division.
