QUETTA: Opposition and treasury benches of the Balochistan Assembly urged the government to reopen closed borders with neighbouring countries in border districts and introduce taxation system to help reduce unemployment and allow people living in border areas to earn their livelihood.

Balochistan emir of Jamaat-i-Islami Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman, who is also a member of the provincial assembly, took up the border closure issue in the provincial assembly session on Tuesday.

He staged a protest in the house against the closure of border with Iran in Panjgur, Gwadar and other border districts.

The JI leader said borders with Iran should be re-opened for resuming trade activities in border districts. He said that unemployment was fast rising. He accused the provincial government of being complicit in the economic misery of the people.

JUI-F MPA Ghulam Dastagir Badini urged to provincial government to introduce a taxation system in border regions to promote trade. He urged PPP and PML-N members of the assembly to raise the matter at the federal government level.

Taxation system suggested to help people living in border areas to earn livelihood

PPP parliamentary leader and provincial minister Mir Sadiq Umrani said concerns highlighted by Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman fall within federal government’s ambit.

He proposed formation of a CM-led committee to hold a meeting with PM to resolve the issue.

Mr Umrani said that people of Makran division rely heavily on border trade for their livelihood due to lack of agriculture.

Provincial minister for planning and development Mir Zahoor Buledi said the government is committed to providing employment. He said that the government is running skill development programmes, and soon it will launch a loan scheme for the youth.

He announced that 13 border markets would be established to create employment opportunities for the people living in border areas of the province.

Mr Buledi said that terrorism incidents were linked to elements taking refuge in neighbouring countries, and the federal government was working to address the issue.

The speaker ruled that PML-N parliamentary leader Mir Saleem Khosa, PPP’s Mir Sadiq Umrani, and MPA Nawabzada Tariq Magsi, along with others, should meet the chief minister with proposals to resolve the matter.

Members who spoke on the border issue demanded a clarification from the government whether the decision to close the borders has been taken by the provincial cabinet or the federal government.

Members of the assembly also demanded creation of a new district comprising Tump and Mand. The, parliamentary secretary Mir Asghar Rind, Adviser to the Chief Minister Meena Majeed, and parliamentary secretary Barkat Ali Rind supported the proposal.

The assembly session was adjourned till Friday.

Published in Dawn, September 24th, 2025