QUETTA: The Balochistan Assembly on Friday evening unanimously adopted a resolution that sought Muslim Bagh, a sub-division of Qila Saifullah, to be made a new district while some other lawmakers suggested dividing Quetta into four districts in view of its huge problems, triggered by a growing population.

The resolution was moved in the Balochistan Assembly by parliamentary secretary on excise and taxation, Ms Shaheena Kakar of the Awami National Party (ANP).

Deputy Speaker Sardar Babar Khan Musakaail presided over the session.

While presenting the resolution in the assembly, Ms Kakar said the people of Muslim Bagh faced difficulties in going to Qila Saifullah daily for work and other purposes.

Minister suggests administrative division of Quetta into four districts

Provincial Minister Zamarak Khan Piralizai, Nasarullah Zerey, Akhtar Hussain Langove, Malik Naeem Bazai, Mir Zahoor Ahmed Buledi and Asadullah Baloch supported the resolution and said that Muslim Bagh should be given the status of a separate district to help the people resolve their issues in the district headquarters.

The Balochistan National Party (BNP-Mengal) MPA and chairman of accounts committee of Balochistan Assembly, Akhtar Hussain Langove, suggested an amendment to the resolution seeking creation of more districts on administrative basis in the province to help the masses.

However, PkMAP’s Nasarullah Zerey opposed Mr Langove’s move. This led to an exchange of harsh words between the two lawmakers. Minister Mir Asadullah Baloch intervened and requested the members to maintain decorum of the house.

Mr Langove said that in view of the increasing population and other issues being faced by the people, Quetta should be divided into four districts. This would help resolve administrative issues of the provincial capital, he added.

Mir Zahoor Ahmed Buledi of the Balochistan Awami Party said that Tump, Jewani, Pasni and Ormara should also be made separate districts.

Later, the house unanimously adopted the resolution to make Muslim Bagh a new district.

Published in Dawn, August 13th, 2022