Ex-CM challenges abolitionof Kalat Division in BHC

Former Balochistan Chief Minister and Chief of Sarawan, Nawab Muhammad Aslam Khan Raisani, on Friday said that Balochistan's problems could not be resolved by merely changing the chief minister, insisting that only a political approach and a new social contract could bring lasting peace and stability to the province.

Speaking to the media after filing a writ petition in the Balochistan High Court against the provincial government's decision to abolish the divisional status of Kalat and merge Mastung district into Quetta Division, Raisani expressed concern over what he described as the silence of elected lawmakers despite being directly affected by the government's decision.

Accompanied by senior politician and former senator Nawabzada Haji Lashkari Raisani, senior lawyer Riaz Ahmed Advocate and others, Raisani said the petition argued that abolishing Kalat Division had undermined the region's historical identity while ignoring the views of local residents and their elected representatives. He termed the move a violation of fundamental rights.

He said the government had imposed the decision without consulting tribes, public representatives or other stakeholders, adding that no land allocation or administrative restructuring should be undertaken without their participation. Although the government claimed to be democratic, its decisions reflected a dictatorial style, he added.

Responding to a question, Raisani said the federal leadership should implement the 1973 Constitution instead of focusing on controversies surrounding election forms. He also alleged that Islamabad had ignored the 1948 agreement between the Khan of Kalat and Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

Raisani recalled that during his tenure as chief minister he had issued a notification declaring Gwadar the winter capital of Balochistan, but the decision was later revoked. He also condemned the curfew imposed in Khad Kocha, calling for its immediate withdrawal, saying it had intensified public hardships.

Describing the issue of missing persons as one of Balochistan's gravest concerns, Raisani said it was even more significant than the Kashmir and Palestine disputes in his view and must be resolved without delay. He maintained that his government's efforts between 2008 and 2013 to address missing persons and other provincial issues were well documented.