Balochistan political crisis escalates as one more cabinet member, advisor resign

QUETTA: The political crisis in Balochistan is apparently getting worsened as one more cabinet member and the provincial chief minister’s recently appointed special assistant on excise and taxation on Friday (today) submitted their resignations to the governor.

Special assistant on excise and taxation Mir Abdul Majid Abro has excused to assume the post after two days of his appointment owing to ‘personal engagements’.

Abro was appointed by embattled provincial Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri as his special assistant on excise and taxation after sacking Amanullah Notezai on Wednesday.

On the other hand, Minister for Labour & Manpower Ms Rahat Jamali has also tendered her resignation to the governor.

The unending episode of submitting resignations by the provincial cabinet members, advisers and secretaries began this week after a no-trust motion against Zehri moved in the provincial assembly.

A no-confidence motion was moved by MPA Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo for allegedly failing to resolve the issues the province has been facing.

As many as 14 MPAs from various political parties expressed lack of confidence in the chief minister over resolving the issues. Soon after which, Home Minister Sarfraz Bugti and Minister of Fisheries Mir Sarfraz Chakar Domki submitted their resignations to the governor and chief minister respectively.

According to officials, Speaker Balochistan Assembly has summoned the assembly session on Jan 9 to proceed on the no-trust move.

On the other hand, the coalition partners — National Party and PkMAP — have pledged to support the chief minister.

The ruling PML-N has also formed a committee to address grievances of the disgruntled lawmakers and keep its coalition government in Balochistan intact.

The committee, headed by PML-N Senator Raja Zafarul Haq and comprising Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal and Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique, has been tasked by party president Nawaz Sharif to convince the MPAs, ministers, and advisers from ditching the provincial government.