Historic Consensus: Balochistan Assembly Unanimously Approves Resolution Seeking Greater Representation in National, Provincial Assemblies

• Balochistan NA Seat Equals Punjab District, Rakhshan Division Matches KP in Size: Asghar Tareen
•  Balochistan’s NA Seats Not Even a Pinch of Salt in Flour: BA Opposition Leader Zehri

QUETTA: An unprecedented consensus was witnessed in the Balochistan Assembly, as lawmakers across party lines unanimously passed a joint resolution seeking an increase in the province’s representation both in the National Assembly and the Provincial Assembly. The move aims to address the long-standing sense of deprivation and neglect in Pakistan’s largest province.

The session of the Balochistan Assembly began 45 minutes late with Speaker Captain (Retd.) Abdul Khaliq Achakzai in the chair on Friday. During the session, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam member Asghar Ali Tareen presented a resolution seeking an increase in Balochistan’s representation in both the National and Provincial Assemblies, citing the province’s vast area, rich resources, and long-standing sense of deprivation.

During the session, Asghar Ali Tareen, while presenting his resolution, stated that Balochistan, which is Pakistan’s largest province in terms of area and rich in resources, is nevertheless affected and underdeveloped due to various problems. Tareen highlighted that Balochistan covers 44 percent of Pakistan’s territory, yet its population-based representation is insufficient. He proposed increasing Provincial Assembly seats from 65 to 85 and National Assembly seats from 20 to 28, arguing that this adjustment is essential to address unrest and ensure equitable political participation. Asghar Tareen said that one National Assembly seat in Balochistan is equivalent to an entire district of Punjab, adding that the Rakhshan Division’s National Assembly constituency is equal in area to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He also noted that the 27th Constitutional Amendment had initially included this proposal but was later excluded.

He said that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) have a coalition government in Balochistan, and both parties are also in government at the federal level. This is the right time for both major parties to amend the Constitution to increase Balochistan’s seats, he added.

Provincial Minister for Planning and Development Mir Zahoor Buledi emphasized that Balochistan has historically been neglected and called for national parties to legislate the increase in seats, suggesting that the number of National Assembly seats be increased by more than 40 to reflect the province’s significance.

Leader of the Opposition in the Balochistan Assembly, Mir Younis Aziz Zehri, supported the resolution, describing it as being in the province’s interest. He stressed that the Rakhshan National Assembly seat comprises four districts, and the province’s population had been undercounted in the census, leaving Balochistan underrepresented, adding that out of 362 National Assembly seats, Balochistan’s seats are not even equal to a pinch of salt in flour.

Provincial Minister for Irrigation Mir Muhammad Sadiq Umrani said that an area of Nasirabad with a population of 600,000 has no representation in the National Assembly. He requested the Speaker to form a committee in this regard to present arguments at the federal level.

National Party member Rehmat Saleh Baloch said that in 2017 as well, a resolution to increase provincial and National Assembly seats was passed by this House. Balochistan constitutes 47 percent of the country’s area; in view of this, constituencies in the National and Provincial Assemblies should be increased to enhance public representation.

Other lawmakers, including Rehmat Saleh Baloch, Engineer Zamrak Khan Achakzai, and Khair Jan Baloch, reiterated the need to increase seats, citing Balochistan’s size (47% of Pakistan’s territory) and prior unsuccessful attempts. They also proposed creating new districts, divisions, and tehsils to enhance representation. Provincial Minister Mir Asim Kurd Gello, Parliamentary Secretary Mir Zareen Magsi, and Syed Zafar Ali Agha also expressed support for the resolution.

After deliberations, the House unanimously approved the resolution, calling on the provincial government to approach the federal government for the implementation of the proposed increase in both National and Provincial Assembly seats.