The Balochistan High Court has temporarily halted the tender process for the proposed demolition of the Balochistan Assembly building, following constitutional petitions challenging the move.
The interim order was issued during a hearing in Quetta by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Kamran Khan Mulakhail and Justice Najmuddin Mengal. The court directed the Communication and Works (C&W) Department not to proceed with opening the tender, which had been scheduled for May 7, and suspended the entire process until the next hearing on May 11.
The petitions were filed by Advocate Amanullah Kanrani and former senator Nawabzada Lashkari Raisani, who argued that the existing assembly building holds historical and cultural importance. According to the petitioners, the structure qualifies as a heritage site and its demolition would be against public interest and legal requirements.
During the proceedings, Advocate Kanrani appeared in person to present arguments, while legal representatives Advocate Sial Khan Kakar and Advocate Muhammad Riaz Ahmed appeared on behalf of Raisani. The provincial government was represented by Additional Advocate General Shahak Baloch.
The case revolves around the provincial government’s plan to demolish the current assembly building and construct a new one. Officials have maintained that the existing structure, built in the 1980s, no longer meets the growing needs of governance and cannot be expanded further.
The building’s design, inspired by the traditional Balochi “Giddan,” was originally conceptualised by Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti. It was inaugurated in 1985 by then prime minister Muhammad Khan Junejo following non-party elections.
The government has reportedly secured funding of Rs5 billion from the federal government for the construction of a new assembly building. However, the petitioners insist that preserving the current structure is essential due to its architectural and historical significance.
With the court’s interim order now in place, authorities are barred from proceeding with the tender process until further notice. The upcoming hearing on May 11 will be crucial in determining whether the demolition plan can move forward or not.
