Independent Report
Quetta, Oct 1,
The Balochistan High Court has suspended a provincial cabinet decision that granted magistrate powers to Deputy Commissioners, Additional Deputy Commissioners, and Assistant Commissioners.
A two-member bench comprising Chief Justice Rozi Khan Bareech and Justice Sardar Ahmed Halimi announced the order during the hearing of a constitutional petition filed by Iftikhar Ahmed Lango.
The petitioner argued that granting judicial powers to executive officers is a violation of the Constitution and law. The court observed that the provincial cabinet has no authority to delegate First-Class Magistrate powers and declared the decision illegal from the very outset.
Notices have been issued to the provincial government, other respondents, and the Advocate General of Balochistan. The court has restrained implementation of the cabinet’s September 24, 2025 decision until the next hearing.
