Provincial Assembly of Balochistan: Overview
The Provincial Assembly of Balochistan is the unicameral legislative body of the Balochistan province in Pakistan, located in Quetta, the provincial capital. It was established under Article 106 of the Constitution of Pakistan and has a total of 65 seats, including 51 general seats, 11 seats reserved for women, and 3 reserved for non-Muslims.
Leadership
The leadership of the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan is as follows:
- Speaker: Abdul Khaliq Khan, PML(N) (since 29 February 2024)
- Deputy Speaker: Ghazala Gola, PPP (since 29 February 2024)
- Leader of the House: Sarfraz Bugti, PPP (since 2 March 2024)
- Leader of the Opposition: Mir Younus Aziz Zehri, JUI (F)
Composition
The Provincial Assembly of Balochistan is composed of:
- 51 general seats directly elected from constituencies across the province.
- 11 seats reserved for women.
- 3 seats reserved for non-Muslims.
Administration
The Provincial Government of Balochistan is headed by a Governor appointed by the Federal Government. The province is divided into 32 districts, each headed by a Zilla Nazim. Functions are further devolved to Tehsil, Town, and Union Council Governments at the local level.
Historical Context
The Provincial Assembly of Balochistan has a rich history dating back to the early days of Pakistan’s independence. Key milestones include:
- 1972: The first Provincial Assembly was formed after the restoration of democracy.
- 1985: Elections were held on a non-party basis on February 28, 1985.
- 2002: The 8th Provincial Assembly was formed after the 2002 general elections.
Legislative Role and Responsibilities
The Provincial Assembly of Balochistan is responsible for:
- Legislation: Creating laws on various provincial matters, including education, health, and infrastructure.
- Budget Approval: Reviewing and approving the provincial budget, which outlines government spending and revenue generation.
- Oversight: Monitoring the provincial government’s functioning, ensuring accountability and transparency in governance.
Qualifications of Members
To be eligible for membership in the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Citizenship: Must be a citizen of Pakistan.
- Age: Must be at least 25 years old and enrolled as a voter in any electoral roll.
- Character: Must possess good character and not be commonly known as one who violates Islamic injunctions.
- Knowledge: Must have adequate knowledge of Islamic teachings and practices.
- Behavior: Must be sagacious, righteous, non-profligate, and honest.
- Convictions: Must not have been convicted for a crime involving moral turpitude or for giving false evidence.
- Loyalty: Must not have worked against the integrity of Pakistan or opposed its ideology after its establishment.
Current Assembly Dynamics
The current assembly reflects a diverse political landscape, with members from multiple political parties representing different constituencies. The Speaker of the Assembly plays a crucial role in maintaining order during sessions and facilitating legislative processes.
List of all Assemblies of Balochistan
Here is the list of the Assemblies of Balochistan with their respective terms:
- 1st Provincial Assembly of Balochistan: 1972-1976
- 2nd Provincial Assembly of Balochistan: 1976-1977
- 3rd Provincial Assembly of Balochistan: 1985-1988
- 4th Provincial Assembly of Balochistan: 1988-1990
- 5th Provincial Assembly of Balochistan: 1990-1993
- 6th Provincial Assembly of Balochistan: 1993-1996
- 7th Provincial Assembly of Balochistan: 1997-1999
- 8th Provincial Assembly of Balochistan: 2002-2007
- 9th Provincial Assembly of Balochistan: 2008-2013
- 10th Provincial Assembly of Balochistan: 2013-2018
- 11th Provincial Assembly of Balochistan: 2018-2023
- 12th Provincial Assembly of Balochistan: 2024-2029
The assemblies of Balochistan embody the province’s legislative journey through periods of instability and growth. As integral components of Pakistan’s federal structure, they have contributed to the democratic process, regional development, and the assertion of provincial identity.
List of all Speakers of Balochistan
Here is the detailed list of Speakers of Balochistan:
| Nawab Muhammad Khan Barozai | |
| Entered Office: 02-MAY-1972 Left Office: 06-DEC-1976 Tenure: 4 years, 7 months, 4 days Political Party: NAP Notable: First Speaker of the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan, instrumental in establishing the initial legislative framework. |  |
| Al-Haj Mir Jam Ghulam Qadir Khan | |
| Entered Office: 06-DEC-1976 Left Office: 05-JUL-1977 Tenure: 6 months, 29 days Political Party: NAP Notable: Served during a politically unstable period, noted for efforts to maintain legislative continuity. |  |
| Muhammad Sarwar Khan Kakar | |
| Entered Office: 06-APR-1985 Left Office: 02-DEC-1988 Tenure: 3 years, 7 months, 26 days Political Party: IND Notable: Independent politician with significant influence, known for promoting non-partisan policies. | |
| Nawab Muhammad Khan Barozai | |
| Entered Office: 02-DEC-1988 Left Office: 04-FEB-1989 Tenure: 2 months, 2 days Political Party: PPP Notable: Brief second term as Speaker, focused on stabilizing the assembly during the transitional period. |  |
| Mehr Muhammad Akram Baloch | |
| Entered Office: 05-FEB-1989 Left Office: 24-APR-1990 Tenure: 1 year, 2 months, 19 days Political Party: BNA Notable: BNA leader with a brief tenure, known for advocating regional development. |  |
| Mir Zahoor Hussain Khan Khosa | |
| Entered Office: 31-MAY-1990 Left Office: 17-NOV-1990 Tenure: 5 months, 17 days Political Party: BNA Notable: Short-term Speaker during political changes, contributed to legislative debates. |  |
| Malik Sikandar Khan Advocate | |
| Entered Office: 17-NOV-1990 Left Office: 19-OCT-1993 Tenure: 2 years, 11 months, 2 days Political Party: JUI-F Notable: Prominent JUI-F politician, emphasized on Islamic principles in legislation. |  |
| Abdul Waheed Baloch | |
| Entered Office: 19-OCT-1993 Left Office: 21-FEB-1997 Tenure: 3 years, 4 months, 2 days Political Party: BNM Notable: Leader of the Balochistan National Movement, focused on Baloch rights and autonomy. |  |
| Mir Abdul Jabbar Khan | |
| Entered Office: 21-FEB-1997 Left Office: 12-OCT-1999 Tenure: 2 years, 7 months, 21 days Political Party: JWP Notable: Member of Jamhoori Watan Party, known for advocating tribal issues. | |
| Jamal Shah Kakar | |
| Entered Office: 29-NOV-2002 Left Office: 08-APR-2008 Tenure: 5 years, 4 months, 10 days Political Party: MMA Notable: Served during a period of significant political activity, focused on religious and educational reforms. |  |
| Aslam Bhutani | |
| Entered Office: 08-APR-2008 Left Office: 26-DEC-2012 Tenure: 4 years, 8 months, 18 days Political Party: PML Notable: Played a crucial role in legislative activities, known for infrastructural development initiatives. |  |
| Syed Matiullah Agha | |
| Entered Office: 31-DEC-2012 Left Office: 04-JUN-2013 Tenure: 5 months, 4 days Political Party: MMA Notable: Short-term tenure as a member of MMA, focused on continuity and stability. |  |
| Jan Mohammad Jamali | |
| Entered Office: 04-JUN-2013 Left Office: 22-MAY-2015 Tenure: 1 year, 11 months, 18 days Political Party: PML-N Notable: Senior politician with multiple leadership roles, known for legislative reforms. |  |
| Rahila Durrani | |
| Entered Office: 24-DEC-2015 Left Office: 16-AUG-2018 Tenure: 2 years, 7 months, 23 days Political Party: PML-N Notable: First female Speaker of the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan, advocate for women’s rights. |  |
| Abdul Quddus Bizenjo | |
| Entered Office: 16-AUG-2018 Left Office: 25-OCT-2021 Tenure: 3 years, 2 months, 9 days Political Party: BAP Notable: Led during a critical period in Balochistan politics, known for crisis management. |  |
| Jan Mohammad Jamali | |
| Entered Office: 30-OCT-2021 Left Office: 28-FEB-2024 Tenure: 2 years, 3 months, 29 days Political Party: BAP Notable: Returned to office for a second tenure, focused on legislative continuity and development. |  |
| Abdul Khaliq Khan | |
| Entered Office: 29-FEB-2024 Left Office: Present Tenure: Ongoing Political Party: PML-N Notable: Current Speaker with an ongoing tenure, known for progressive policies and legislative efficiency. |  |
The Provincial Assembly of Balochistan serves as a vital institution in Pakistan’s democratic framework, providing a platform for representation and governance for the province’s diverse population. Its legislative authority and responsibilities are essential for addressing the needs and aspirations of the people of Balochistan