QUETTA: The Balochistan High Court (BHC) on Monday issued an interim stay order against a tender notice related to the demolition of the Balochistan Asse­mbly building, restraining the authorities concerned from proceeding further.

The order was passed by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Kamran Khan Mulakhail and Justice Najmuddin Mengal during the hearing of constitutional petitions 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 proposed tender notice scheduled for May 7 and suspended the tender process until the next hearing on May 11.

During the hearing, Advocate Kanrani, ex-president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, appeared and presented his arguments in person, while Advocate Sial Khan Kakar and Advocate Muhammad Riaz Ahmed appeared on behalf of Mr Raisani.

Additional Advocate General Shahak Baloch represented the Balo­chistan government.

Pleas against the demolition filed by ex-SCBA president, former senator

According to the petitioners, the Balochistan Assembly building holds historical significance and is a national heritage site, and that any decision to demolish it is not only against legal requirements but also contrary to public interest.

After hearing preliminary arguments, the court halted the tender process and adjourned further proceedings until May 11.

The Balochistan government earlier decided to construct a new assembly building after demolishing the existing one that was built in 1980s. It was designed on the theme of “Giddan”, a Balochi traditional makeshift being used by nomads while living in open places during their seasonal migration. The design idea was floated by late Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti.

The provincial government was of the opinion that the existing building was not enough for increasing requirements and it could not be expanded anymore.

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

Muhammad Khan Junejo, the then prime minister, had inaugurated the building of Balochistan Assembly in 1985 after non-party based elections.

Published in Dawn, May 5th, 2026