Quetta’s division into two districts: meeting reviews local government changes and new boundaries

QUETTA: A consultative meeting was held under the chairmanship of Balochistan’s Secretary for Local Government and Rural Development, Abdul Rauf Baloch. It discussed in detail the legal and administrative amendments needed in the local government system after the division of Quetta district into two Districts. It also considered the establishment of local councils and the fresh demarcation of TMCs and urban union councils, among other matters.

The meeting was attended by the Administrator of the Metropolitan Corporation Quetta, Bashir Barech; the Secretary for Local Councils Balochistan, Abdul Wahid Baadini; Taha Junaid, focal person of the Local Government and Rural Development Department; and senior officials of the Election Commission, the Local Government Department and other departments concerned.

The meeting considered the legislation and amendments required in the Balochistan Local Government Act 2010, particularly on the establishment of local councils in the newly notified Districts. It reviewed the present limits of Quetta’s four TMCs and the urban union councils (Urban UCs) under them. It discussed redefining and amending their boundaries in view of the new administrative division.

The participants also examined whether the present division of census charges, circles and CBCs needs to change after the division. They also discussed proposals to redistribute them among the TMCs and union councils concerned, if necessary.

Officials directed to prepare workable proposals

Local Government Secretary Abdul Rauf Baloch said that, after the administrative division of Quetta district, organising local bodies according to the new administrative needs was an important requirement. He directed officers to review all legal, administrative and demarcation matters closely and prepare workable proposals.

He said the local government system plays an important role in providing basic services to the public and in building an effective administrative structure at the grassroots. It was therefore necessary, after the creation of the new Districts, to finalise the limits of local bodies and the formation of councils under a clear legal and administrative procedure.

The meeting stressed that coordination and consultation among all institutions should be ensured on legal amendments, demarcation, the census and the establishment of local councils, so that no administrative or legal complications arise. At the end, the officials concerned were directed to take the necessary action and prepare recommendations. The formal notification dividing Quetta district into two Districts was issued in July 2026.

Photo: courtesy DGPR Balochistan