Balochistan’s provincial cabinet has approved the creation of three new districts and one new division in a major administrative restructuring that significantly changes the province’s map.
With the latest decisions, the number of districts in Pakistan’s largest province has increased from 39 to 42, while the number of divisions has risen to 11. The new districts have been carved out of Quetta, Chagai and Khuzdar.
The decisions were approved during a cabinet meeting chaired by Mir Sarfraz Bugti in Quetta.
According to cabinet documents, Quetta has been divided into two districts named Quetta East and Quetta West. The railway track passing through the provincial capital will serve as the boundary between the two districts. A new subdivision named Burori will also be established in Quetta West, while Mastung has officially been shifted from Kalat Division to Quetta Division.
The cabinet also approved the creation of Wadh district after separating it from Khuzdar. The new district will include Wadh, Nal and Ornach areas. Wadh and Nal will function as tehsils, while Aranji, Ornach and Gresha have been granted the status of sub-tehsils.
Another major decision includes the formation of a new Lasbela Division after splitting the former Kalat Division. The new division will consist of Lasbela, Hub and Awaran districts. The remaining division will now be renamed Khuzdar Division with Khuzdar as its headquarters.
The cabinet further approved restoring the name of Surab district after previously renaming it Shaheed Sikandarabad. Zahri has also been separated from Khuzdar and merged into Surab district.
In Rakhshan Division, the cabinet approved the creation of Taftan district by dividing Chagai district. The new district will include Taftan, Nokundi and Mashkail. Mashkail was previously part of Washuk district. A committee headed by the chief minister will later decide the district headquarters.
Administrative changes were also introduced in Pishin Division. The division will now consist of Pishin, Borshor, Chaman and Qila Abdullah districts. New tehsil and subdivision structures were also approved in Borshor and Toba Kakari.
The cabinet additionally approved changing the English spelling of Makran to “Makuran” to better reflect the local pronunciation.
Other changes include shifting Ziarat district from Sibi Division to Loralai Division and moving Kachhi district from Nasirabad Division to Sibi Division. The government also formally approved renaming Sibi Division as “Sewi Division.”
Officials say the restructuring is aimed at improving governance, strengthening security management and bringing administrative services closer to remote populations.
Government officials argue that large districts such as Khuzdar and Quetta had become difficult to manage because of growing populations and vast geographical areas. They say many communities were located far from district headquarters, causing delays in administrative and public service delivery.
However, the move has also sparked criticism from political circles and opposition lawmakers, who argue that the creation of new districts and divisions should involve wider consultation due to Balochistan’s tribal, political and geographical sensitivities.
The issue has remained politically contentious in recent months, with opposition parties previously staging protests and walkouts in the provincial assembly over similar decisions.
Balochistan had only seven divisions and 36 districts a year ago. Following the latest changes, the province now consists of 11 divisions including Quetta, Pishin, Loralai, Zhob, Nasirabad, Sewi, Koh Suleman, Rakhshan, Lasbela, Khuzdar and Makuran.
