Balochistan CM Dr Abdul Malik Baloch to submit resignation today

Senator Hasil Bizenjo says under the Murree accord, they are morally bound to vacate the office of chief minister

ISLAMABAD: The National Party (NP) on Saturday announced that the outgoing Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch will submit his resignation on Saturday.

The decision came two days after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif nominated the head of the ruling party’s Balochistan chapter as the next chief minister of the province. Sanaullah Zehri will be taking over Malik’s job.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, the NP leader Senator Hasil Bizenjo said that the CM Balochistan will be submitting his resignation after expiry of a two and a half year term agreed under the Murree agreement.

The Murree agreement was signed by the PML-N, the PkMAP and the NP on June 4, 2013. According to the deal, the slots of three advisers to the CM and eight ministers in the Balochistan cabinet were given to the PML-N.



Under the accord, NP received chief minister position for a two and a half year term and a reasonable share in the cabinet, while the PkMAP got the governorship and ministries.

Bizenjo thanked the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for inviting his party to join the coalition government in the province despite not being in majority, Claiming his party has set a new precedent, the senator said, “We are leaving with dignity.”

Although the people of the province are happy with the performance of Dr Malik and want him to continue, Bizenjo said under the Murree accord, they were morally bound to vacate the office of chief minister. However, his part would continue its support and cooperation in future, he added.

Admitting the shortcomings of their government, the senator regretted his party’s inability to address the issue of missing persons in Balochistan.

“We admit our failure about the missing persons’ issue.”



Talking about the reconciliation process in the province, Bizenjo said bringing peace back was their top priority and the party would support the process of dialogue adding that previously the responsibility was on NP but now it has been shifted to the federal government.

Decrying the meagre budgetary allocation for the province, the senator said the allocated funds were not sufficient enough for the uplifting of Baloch people.

Commenting on the peace process, the outgoing chief minister claimed that significant development has made in bringing back the estranged Baloch leaders and process should move forward.

Talking about his tenure as the province chief minister, Malik claimed that he worked for the betterment of the people and promoted meritocracy while taking action against corruption adding that there are no corruption charges against his government and they are leaving the government with clean hands.



Malik also vowed to support the upcoming PML-N government in the province.

The outgoing chief minister said that he would continue to play his role as political worker to reorganize the people of Balochistan.

Responding to a question regarding China Pakistan Economic Corridor [CPEC], Bizenjo said his party does not have any reservations about it and will participate in All Parties Conference convened by any political party.