Balochistan: 11 Divisions, 41 Districts and Countless Questions

Balochistan is a province that has suffered for several decades from unrest, deprivation, alienation, unemployment and political uncertainty. Recent decisions concerning the province have raised new questions, sparked fresh debates and created further concerns.

Following the establishment of four new divisions and five new districts, Balochistan now has 11 divisions and 41 districts. Although these measures are being presented as administrative reforms, the key question is whether all political, tribal and social stakeholders in Balochistan were taken into confidence before these decisions were made.

The public is asking whether the creation of new districts and divisions reflects the wishes of the people or whether it is yet another strategy formulated behind closed doors.

Dividing Quetta into two districts, separating Mastung from Kalat Division and including it in Quetta Division, abolishing the historic Kalat Division and redrawing the administrative map are certainly not minor decisions. Their political, social and tribal consequences will become evident in the future.

Chief of Sarawan Nawab Aslam Raisani, along with several political and tribal circles, has also expressed reservations over these developments. Their position is that Sarawan and Jhalawan are not merely administrative names but represent centuries-old historical identities of Balochistan. Ignoring historical and geographical realities could create further misunderstandings.

Another important question concerns the distribution of resources. Will the creation of new districts also lead to the establishment of universities, medical colleges, hospitals, courts, police offices and employment opportunities, or will the government merely alter the maps and describe the changes as reforms?

Balochistan cannot be governed solely through maps, files and statistics. The province has its own history, psychology, sensitivities and political realities.

Should decisions be imposed without public consent, consultation and confidence, creating the impression that unilateral steps are being taken regarding Balochistan’s resources, coastline or geographical significance, the situation could deteriorate further and fuel unrest.

At present, Balochistan cannot afford another political or administrative experiment.

The need of the hour is to bring all political parties, tribal elders, experts, civil society representatives and genuine public representatives to one table. There must be open and sincere dialogue, followed by decisions that are acceptable to the people of the entire province.