He was the Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria representing Kaduna South Senatorial District from May 2003 to May 2007 and, a member of the People's Democratic Party.

Prior to his election to the Senate, he served as the Minister of State for Works and Housing in the cabinet of President Olusegun Obasanjo from 1999 to 2000.

Isaiah Chawai Balat was born on 23 October 1952 in Gora (Ka̠nai), a village in Zangon Kataf local government area of Kaduna State, Nigeria.

While in business, Balat established the CB Finance Group, a holding company with interests in oil and gas services, banking, insurance and agro-allied industries.

In June 1999, Isaiah Balat was appointed Minister of State for Works and Housing in the cabinet of President Olusegun Obasanjo.

[5][circular reference] During his senatorial tenor, he was the Chairman Senate Committee on Privatization for two consecutive years during which he led the Senate and House Committees on Privatisation on a study tour on ports reform to the USA and Mexico, where far reaching ideas on Ports Privatization and Management was acquired.

In 2007, Balat was a frontline candidate contesting for the Gubernatorial Primary of Kaduna State under the PDP, losing to Arc.

It successfully attracted participation of a large number of the political, economic class, academia, professionals and technocrats across all sectors and parts of the country.

Isaiah Balat participated in the United Nations organized colloquium preceding the South Commission Report under the chairmanship of the Late Dr. Julius Nyerere, former president of Tanzania, which examined and recommended modalities for bridging the gap in the standards of living of peoples in the Northern and Southern hemispheres.

Through the Isaiah Balat Foundation, he provided free medical assistance to the poor, weak and vulnerable in the society, especially in rural communities.

In 1990 he was awarded the Gold medal of the Chamber Europeene Pour la Development Du Commerce fe I’Industrie et Finances, for the promotion of trade between Nigeria and the European Union.