Balochistan PA seeks increase in assembly seats

QUETTA:

In a rare show of cross-party unity, the Balochistan Provincial Assembly on Friday unanimously adopted a resolution demanding a significant increase in the number of seats in the Provincial Assembly from 65 to 85 and in the National Assembly from 20 to 28 for the province.

The session, presided over by Speaker Captain (retd) Abdul Khaliq Achakzai, saw the resolution moved by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) MPA Asghar Ali Tareen. Lawmakers from across the political spectrum, including coalition partners and opposition members, supported the move, arguing that Balochistan's vast land area and resource wealth are not matched by adequate political representation.

Tareen highlighted that Balochistan, despite being Pakistan's largest province by land area, covering about 44 percent of the country's territory, remains underdeveloped and faces persistent grievances. He pointed out stark disparities: one National Assembly constituency in Balochistan is equivalent in size to an entire district in Punjab, while the Rakhshan Division's National Assembly seat alone spans an area comparable to the whole of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

"Representation is the key to resolving issues," Tareen said, emphasizing that enhanced seats would help alleviate feelings of deprivation and unrest among the people of Balochistan.

Several lawmakers echoed these concerns. Provincial Minister for Planning and Development Mir Zahoor Buledi stressed that the province had historically been neglected and that the time had come for national parties to legislate for fairer representation. He suggested the increase in National Assembly seats should exceed 40.

Opposition Leader Mir Younus Aziz Zehri described the expansion as being in the province's best interest, noting that past census figures had undercounted Balochistan's population. He pointed out that the province's share in the National Assembly's 336 seats is disproportionately low,barely a pinch of salt in flour.

He also called for not just passing the resolution but ensuring its implementation.

Minister for Irrigation Mir Muhammad Sadiq Umrani drew attention to areas like Nasirabad, with a population of around 600,000, lacking proper National Assembly representation.