QUETTA:: The Balochistan cabinet has approved the creation of three new districts and one new administrative division in a major restructuring of the province's administrative map, according to officials familiar with the decision.

The approval was granted during a high-level cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti in Quetta. Following the changes, the number of districts in Balochistan will increase from 36 to 39, while the number of divisions will rise from eight to nine.

According to official documents and cabinet sources, the new districts have been carved out of Quetta, Khuzdar and Chagai on administrative and geographical grounds. Although a formal government notification has yet to be issued, Chief Minister's spokesperson Shahid Rind confirmed the cabinet's decisions.

Under the approved plan, Quetta will be divided into two districts, Quetta East and Quetta West, with the railway track serving as the administrative boundary between them. A new subdivision named Barori will also be established within Quetta West. Additionally, Mastung district will be transferred from Kalat Division to Quetta Division.

In central Balochistan, Wadh will be separated from Khuzdar and upgraded to district status. The new district will include Wadh, Nal and Ornach.

The cabinet has also approved the creation of a new Lasbela Division, comprising Lasbela, Hub and Awaran districts. Following the reorganization, the existing Kalat Division will be renamed Khuzdar Division, with Khuzdar serving as its headquarters.

Another significant change involves the restoration of the name Surab. The cabinet approved renaming Shaheed Sikandarabad District back to Surab and transferring Zehri from Khuzdar into the district's administrative boundaries.

In Rakhshan Division, authorities approved the creation of Taftan District by dividing Chagai district. The proposed district will include Taftan, Nokundi and Mashkel.

Several additional administrative changes were also approved. The Pishin Division will now comprise Pishin, Borshor, Chaman and Qila Abdullah districts. Officials also approved changing the English spelling of Makran Division to Makuran to align with local linguistic pronunciation.

Meanwhile, the headquarters of Sherani district will be shifted from Stona Ragha to Mani Khwa. Kachhi district will be transferred from Nasirabad Division to Sibi Division, which will be renamed Saivi Division. Ziarat district will also be moved from Sibi Division to Loralai Division.

To oversee the implementation of the reforms, the provincial government has constituted a special committee headed by Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti. The committee includes Provincial Minister Sadiq Umrani, Revenue Minister Asim Kurd Gello and the Chief Secretary of Balochistan.

According to sources, Revenue Minister Asim Kurd Gello raised concerns during the cabinet meeting regarding the lack of prior consultation on the proposed changes. However, the chief minister reportedly assured cabinet members that the restructuring was being undertaken solely to improve administrative efficiency and address security requirements.

The issue of creating new districts has previously generated political debate. During a session of the Balochistan Assembly in February 2026, opposition lawmakers staged protests and a walkout over similar proposals. Critics have argued that administrative restructuring in the province should take local political and tribal sensitivities into account.

Government officials, however, maintain that the reforms are intended to improve service delivery. Shahid Rind said residents of geographically large districts such as Quetta and Khuzdar often face difficulties accessing district headquarters, adding that the new administrative units would help bring public services closer to citizens.

A formal notification and implementation timeline are expected in the coming weeks.