Prince Ahmed Ali claims backing of most MPAs for no-trust motion against Zehri

KARACHI: As Balochistan assembly to take up a no-trust motion against Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri on Jan 9, Prince Ahmed Ali Ahmedzai – an MPA – claimed to have support of the provincial lawmakers on the matter, ARY News reported on Sunday. 

Talking exclusively to ARY News, Ahmedzai – who is also affiliated to ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) – said more MPAs are to join the disgruntled legislators for Zehri’s inaction on the prevailing issues.

He dispelled a view that the no-confidence motion has been moved at the whims of some elements. “It has been brought after keeping the issues in view,” Ahmedzai added.

He said PML-N Balochistan Senior Vice President Changez Marri would soon join the benches of discontented MPAs.

Prince Ahmed Ali Ahmedzai is one of main signatories of the no-confidence motion. He has recently resigned from his post as chief minister’s adviser.

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.

As many as 14 MPAs have expressed lack of confidence in the chief minister over resolving the issues.

On Friday, the embattled provincial government suffered another blow after one more cabinet member and the provincial chief minister’s recently appointed special assistant on excise and taxation submitted their resignations to the governor, escalating the political crisis in the province.

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

Abro was appointed by 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.

Previously, Balochistan Home Minister Sarfraz Bugti and Minister of Fisheries Mir Sarfraz Chakar Domki submitted their resignations to the governor and chief minister respectively.

The motion of no trust against Zehri has been submitted under Article 136 of the Constitution.

Earlier this week, MPA Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo moved the motion against Zehri for allegedly failing to resolve the issues the province is facing.

Mr Bizenjo told the media that the provincial government has been failed to address their reservations with regard to the previous provincial budget.

The chief minister was not serious about resolving the issues and this is the reason they have moved the motion of no confidence against him, Bizenjo said.

According to officials, the 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.