The Governor of Balochistan is the appointed Head of State of the provincial government in Balochistan, Pakistan. The governor is designated by the Prime Minister and is normally regarded a ceremonial post. However, throughout the history of Pakistan, the powers of the provincial governors were vastly increased, every time the provincial assemblies were dissolved and the administrative role came under direct control of the governors.
The seat of governor in Balochistan was started on 1 July 1970 during General Yahya Khan's regime, unlike other provinces where there has been a governor since formation of Pakistan in 1947. During Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's administration, twice the provincial governments were abrogated, first in 1973 and then in 1974-76, thus empowering the governor to take the helms of authority. General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq's martial law from 1977 to 1985 saw the establishment of the post of Martial Law Administrator of Balochistan, which gave rise to General Rahimuddin Khan's sweeping tutelage over the province. Even during General Pervez Musharraf's government, there was governor rule from 1999-2002.
The current Governor is Zulfikar Ali Magsi, who took over on 28 February 2008.
Following is the list of Balochistan governors after Balochistan was given the status of province in July 1970.
Name of Governor | Entered Office | Left Office | Political Affiliation |
---|---|---|---|
Lt General Riaz Hussain | 1 July, 1970 | 25 December, 1971 | Independent |
Ghous Bakhsh Raisani | 25 December, 1971 | 29 April, 1972 | Independent |
Ghaus Bakhsh Bizenjo | 29 April, 1972 | 15 February, 1973 | National Awami Party |
Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti | 15 February, 1973 | 3 January, 1974 | Jamhoori Watan Party |
Ahmad Yar Khan | 3 January, 1974 | September 1977 | Independent |
Khuda Bakhsh Marri | September 1977 | September 1978 | Independent |
Lieutenant-General Rahimuddin Khan (MLA) | September 1978 | March 1984 | Military Administration |
Lieutenant-General Sardar F.S. Khan Lodhi (MLA) | March 1984 | July 1984 | Military Administration |
Lieutenant-General Khushdil Khan Afridi (MLA) | July 1984 | December 1985 | Military Administration |
General (retired) Muhammad Musa | December 1985 | 12 March, 1991 | Military Administration |
Hazar Khan Khoso (acting) | 12 March, 1991 | July 1991 | Independent |
Sardar Gul Mohammad Khan Jogezai | July 1991 | 1993 | Independent |
Brigadier-General Abdul Rahim Durrani (acting) | 1993 | May 1994 | Military Administration |
Lieutenant-General (retired) Imran Ullah Khan | May 1994 | 8 April, 1997 | Pakistan Peoples Party |
Justice Amir-ul-Mulk Mengal (1st time; acting) | 8 April, 1997 | 22 April, 1997 | Balochistan High Court |
Miangul Aurangzeb | 22 April, 1997 | 17 August, 1999 | Pakistan Muslim League (N) |
Syed Fazal Agha | 17 August, 1999 | 21 October, 1999 | Civil Administration |
Justice (retired) Amir-ul-Mulk Mengal (2nd time) | 21 October, 1999 | 1 February, 2003 | Balochistan High Court |
Lieutenant-General (retired) Abdul Qadir Baloch | 1 February, 2003 | 11 August, 2003 | Military Administration |
Owais Ahmed Ghani | 11 August, 2003 | 5 January, 2008 | Independent |
Amanullah Khan Yasinzai (acting) | 5 January, 2008 | 28 February, 2008 | Independent |
Zulfikar Ali Magsi | 28 February, 2008 | Still on Seat | Pakistan Peoples Party |