July 17, 2026
By Hafiz ullah Storai Sherani
ISLAMABAD
A formal notification issued by the Government of Balochistan regarding new administrative boundaries and the creation of new districts and divisions has triggered a fresh wave of unrest within provincial politics and tribal circles. While the government presents this restructuring as ‘a major step toward the development of marginalized areas and better governance’, prominent Baloch and Pashtun leadership, (political and tribal) has strong opposed and rejected the division outright, calling it an attempt to erase historical and geographical identities.
In an exclusive conversation with Voicepk, former Chief Minister of Balochistan and Chief of Sarawan, Nawab Mohammad Aslam Khan Raisani, strongly criticized the government’s move. Speaking about the historical significance of this division, he said, “Both of these areas (Mastung and Kachhi) held great importance during the era of the Kalat State because they served as the seat of the royal jirgah of the Khan of Kalat and the capital of their government.”
According to Nawab Aslam Raisani, the current situation of the province cannot be resolved through administrative decisions. Speaking to Voicepk, he further emphasized, “Peace in the province is possible through political decisions, not administrative divisions. The issue of Balochistan is not administrative but rather a historical and political problem, which is being further worsened and divided by such government decisions.”
Expressing concerns regarding the fraternal nations residing in the province, he added, “The recent decisions of the government convey an impression that the administration wants to make the historically settled Pashtun and Baloch nations fight over this division.” The tribal leadership of Sarawan has announced its decision to challenge this move in the High Court, maintaining that altering the historical identity of Mastung and Kachhi without public consultation is absolute bad faith and a direct violation of the historic 1948 Accession Agreement.
The Pashtun leadership is also at the forefront of this wave of protest. Addressing an ongoing sit-in in Quetta protesting the killing of police officers, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, the opposition leader and the head of the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, viewed this geographical restructuring through the lens of ethnic rights and historical boundaries. He issued a warning to the government, stating:
“The rights of Pashtuns in this province must be acknowledged. What you are doing in the name of districts, tehsils, and divisions is not right. Do not include the land of Pashtuns in British Balochistan here and there. Do not make incorrect transfers and allotments of land.”
On the other hand, opposition to this decision has also emerged from within the government’s own ranks. Provincial Minister Sardar Abdul Rehman Khetran expressed serious reservations on the assembly floor, calling the inclusion of Mastung into Quetta an injustice. Criticizing the provincial cabinet’s policies, he alleged that areas rich in oil and gas resources, such as Pir Koh, are being included in new districts (like Upper Dera Bugti) for specific motives, which is damaging the historical identity of the province.
Government of Balochistan’s stance on concerns
To seek the government’s stance on these serious allegations, concerns, and claims regarding land transfers raised by political and tribal leaders, the spokesperson for the Government of Balochistan, Babar Yousafzai, was contacted. He strongly refuted these allegations and clarified the government’s policy and administrative necessities.
Responding to the allegations of instigating conflict between Pashtun and Baloch nations, Babar Yousafzai said, “Why would a Pashtun-Baloch conflict arise? The problem with this province is that whenever any administrative division is made, it is immediately equated with the division of nationalities. Has Mastung been included in Pishin district? I have clarified that if reinforcement needs to be sent to Mastung in case of any accident or emergency, it takes two and a half hours from Khuzdar, whereas it takes only 40 minutes from Quetta. This decision is not based on nationality, but purely for public security and the swift provision of emergency relief.”
Speaking on the administrative necessity of the new boundaries, he added, “The government’s policy is clear; wherever new tehsils, districts, and divisions are needed to provide relief to the public and improve the security landscape, they will be created. It is not necessary for every political party or tribal figure to agree with every decision of the government, but these decisions have been taken in the larger public interest. A small example of this is that Sarouna was previously a part of Khuzdar district, and its residents had to travel 13 hours to reach their district headquarters, but now they will be able to reach their new district headquarters in Hub in just 4 hours. Following the expiration of the local bodies’ term in February, the provincial government will write to the Election Commission for new delimitations, because after the creation of new districts and divisions, delimitation has now become a legal requirement.”
Details of the new administrative division
According to the notification issued with the formal approval of the provincial cabinet under the “Balochistan Land Revenue Act 1967,” the details of the province’s new administrative structure are as follows.
According to the notification of the Revenue Department, Balochistan will now consist of 11 divisions and 41 districts.
Quetta Division
This division will now consist of three districts. Mastung district, separated from Kalat division, has been included in Quetta, while the capital city of Quetta has been divided into two new districts: Quetta East (comprising Sariab, Sadr, and City sub-divisions) and Quetta West (comprising Kuchlak, Brewry, and Panjpai sub-divisions).
Khuzdar Division (New Division)
Established by abolishing the former Kalat division, this division comprises Khuzdar, Kalat, Surab, and the new district of Wadh.
Lasbela Division (New Division)
Established after the abolition of Kalat division, this second new division includes the districts of Lasbela, Hub, and Awaran.
Pishin Division (New Division)
This new administrative division will comprise Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Chaman, and the new district of Barshor.
Sevi Division (Formerly Sibi Division)
The government has changed the name of Sibi to its historical name “Sevi,” and this division will now consist of Sevi, Kachhi, and the new district of Dera Bugti South.
Following these changes, the remaining districts of the province will continue to remain under the administrative jurisdiction of Rakhshan, Makran, Naseerabad, Zhob, Loralai, and Koh-e-Suleman divisions.
Announcement to challenge the decision in court
Rejecting the government’s unilateral administrative decision and notification, the political and tribal leadership of the province has announced its decision to fight this matter on the legal front. According to tribal elders and opposition leaders, a petition is being filed in the High Court very soon to formally challenge this decision, which was made without public consultation and without taking the historical background into consideration.