BHC halts tender process for demolition of Balochistan Assembly building

QUETTA: The Balochistan High Court (BHC) on Monday stopped authorities from moving ahead with a tender linked to the proposed demolition of the Balochistan Assembly building, issuing an interim order during proceedings on constitutional petitions challenging the plan.

The order was passed by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Kamran Khan Mulakhail and Justice Najmuddin Mengal. The petitions were filed by Advocate Amanullah Kanrani and former senator Nawabzada Lashkari Raisani.

The court directed the Communication and Works (C&W) Department not to open the tender notice that had been scheduled for May 7. It also suspended the tender process until the next hearing, fixed for May 11.

During the hearing, Advocate Kanrani, a former president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, appeared in person and presented his arguments. Advocate Sial Khan Kakar and Advocate Muhammad Riaz Ahmed represented Mr Raisani, while Additional Advocate General Shahak Baloch appeared on behalf of the Balochistan government.

According to the petitioners, the Balochistan Assembly building has historical importance and qualifies as a national heritage site. They argued that any move to demolish it would be against legal requirements as well as public interest.

After hearing the initial arguments, the bench ordered that the tender process be halted and adjourned the matter until May 11.

Government plan for new building

The provincial government had earlier decided to construct a new assembly building after demolishing the existing structure. The current building was constructed in the 1980s.

Its design was based on the theme of ‘Giddan’, described in the report as a Balochi traditional makeshift used by nomads while living in open areas during seasonal migration. The idea for the design was floated by late Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti.

The provincial government’s position was that the existing assembly building no longer met growing requirements and could not be expanded further.

The federal government was providing Rs5 billion for the construction of a new assembly building.

Historical background

The existing Balochistan Assembly building was inaugurated in 1985 by the then prime minister Muhammad Khan Junejo after non-party based elections.

The case now centers on whether the demolition process can proceed in light of the objections raised by the petitioners regarding the building’s historical and legal status. For now, the high court’s interim order has prevented the authorities from opening the tender and taking the next step in the demolition process before the next hearing.