QUETTA: The Balochistan government has made the registration of tenants mandatory across the province, including the provincial capital, to improve law and order in the restive province.

Babar Khan Yousafzai, an aide to the provincial home department, said on Tuesday that the decision was made in a meeting after reviewing the prevailing situation in the province. “No person will be allowed to rent accommodation without a national identity card,” it was decided. The property owners were asked to implement the decision.

Mr Yousafzai said that under the Balochistan Restriction of Rented Buildings (Security) Act, all house owners were required to verify ID cards of their tenants and ensure their registration with the area police.

“Guests staying for more than 24 hours must also be reported to the police station concerned in advance,” he said, adding that administrators of hostels, hotels, and other rented accommodations would be bound to maintain complete records so that any suspicious activity could be identified promptly. The official warned that strict legal action would be taken in case of violation, including registration of cases and possible sealing of the property.

Published in Dawn, April 15th, 2026