QUETTA: The Balochistan Assembly on Friday unanimously passed a joint resolution calling on the federal government to increase Balochistan’s representation in both the provincial and national legislatures, citing the province’s vast geographical size and longstanding sense of deprivation among its people.
The resolution was moved by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) MPA Asghar Ali Tareen, who stated that although Balochistan is Pakistan’s largest province by area and rich in natural resources, it remains underdeveloped and beset by numerous challenges. He argued that meaningful representation is essential to addressing the province’s problems.
The resolution recommended that the provincial government approach the federal government to ensure practical steps are taken to increase the number of seats in the Balochistan Assembly from 65 to 85, and in the National Assembly from 20 to 28. The move, the resolution stated, would help reduce public anxiety and feelings of marginalisation in the province.
Speaking on the resolution, Asghar Tareen pointed out that a single National Assembly constituency in Balochistan is geographically equivalent to an entire district in Punjab, while the Rakhshan Division’s National Assembly constituency covers an area comparable to the whole of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He noted that legislation to increase Balochistan’s representation was previously considered for inclusion in the 27th Constitutional Amendment but was not ultimately incorporated. He added that since the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) are coalition partners in both the provinces and at the federal level, it is an opportune time to amend the Constitution to enhance Balochistan’s representation. Provincial Minister for Planning and Development Mir Zahoor Buledi said Balochistan had not received the attention it deserved in the past and emphasised the need for national parties to legislate for increased representation.
He suggested that instead of a marginal increase, the number of National Assembly seats should be expanded by more than 40 overall.
Opposition Leader Mir Younis Aziz Zehri supported the resolution, calling it vital for the province’s interests. He stressed that beyond passing the resolution, practical implementation was necessary. He also criticised past census results, claiming that Balochistan’s population had been undercounted, and remarked that out of 362 National Assembly seats, Balochistan’s share was negligible.
Provincial Minister for Irrigation Mir Muhammad Sadiq Umrani highlighted that an area in Nasirabad with a population of 600,000 lacks representation in the National Assembly. He urged the Speaker to form a committee to present the province’s case before the federal government with solid arguments. Members from the National Party, Awami National Party and other political groups also backed the resolution.
A proposal was also made to form a parliamentary committee under the leadership of chief minister to engage with the federal government on the issue.
With broad cross-party support, the House unanimously approved the resolution, marking a significant step in renewed efforts to enhance Balochistan’s political representation at both provincial and national levels.
