Balochistan opposition stages walkout

Lawmakers protest B-Area conversion into A-Area

QUETTA:

The Balochistan Assembly session on Thursday was marked by heightened political tensions, as opposition lawmakers staged a walkout in protest against the provincial government's decision to convert B-Area into A-Area.

The opposition denounced the move as unilateral and criticized the lack of consultation or parliamentary debate.

Opposition legislators accused the government of bypassing democratic procedures and excluding elected representatives from critical administrative decisions. They argued that a change of such magnitude, affecting the province's governance structure, warranted consensus rather than executive imposition.

Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti rejected the opposition's concerns, labeling the walkout as a politically motivated attempt to apply pressure ahead of the forthcoming provincial budget. He defended the decision, stating it aimed to enhance governance and improve law and order across the province.

Supporting the chief minister's stance, treasury members Zarak Mandokhail and Ali Madad Jatak emphasized that the B-Area to A-Area transition was a provincial prerogative rooted in public interest.

While acknowledging that input from the federal government would be welcomed, they maintained that the decision was made independently by the provincial leadership.

Opposition Leader Younas Aziz Zehri delivered a pointed rebuttal, asserting that the provincial budget belongs to the people and must reflect their priorities. He warned that while the government might navigate the current fiscal cycle, its overall five-year performance would remain under scrutiny.

Zehri reaffirmed the opposition's commitment to playing its constitutional and democratic role, ensuring that budgetary decisions serve the public good rather than partisan interests.