QUETTA: In a significant step to restore Quetta’s cultural heritage, an agreement was signed on Wednesday with the Highland Country Club Group to begin the restoration of the iconic Cafe Baldia, a project driven by the special instructions of Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti and spearheaded by the Metropolitan Corporation Quetta.
The signing ceremony formally initiated the restoration work on the same day. According to the plan, the revived Cafe Baldia is scheduled to be inaugurated on January 1, 2026. The project aims to redesign the cafe to meet modern standards while preserving its original historical spirit.
The restored facility will feature a literary lounge, a dedicated family cafe zone, an art gallery, a cultural exhibition hall, and a beautiful open seating area. The vision is to not only revive a physical landmark but also to reestablish a central hub to connect the younger generation with the region’s culture, literature, and history.
Cafe Baldia, built in the early years of Pakistan, was once a beloved center for intellectuals, journalists, poets, and students. For decades, it served as a vibrant venue for political discourse, poetry, and public dialogue before falling into silence over time.
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Speaking at the ceremony, Administrator of the Metropolitan Corporation Quetta, Mujeeb Qambrani, emphasized the project’s deeper meaning. “Today we are not just reviving a building, but the heartbeat of Quetta,” he said. “Cafe Baldia was the identity of Quetta yesterday too, and it will revive again with the same glory.”
