QUETTA: The Balochistan Assembly unanimously passed on Tuesday a resolution to constitute an official jirga to hold negotiations to bring back Baloch nationalist leader Khan of Kalat Prince Agha Suleman Dawood.
The Khan of Kalat is in exile in London, and the resolution has been passed to "bring him back so he can play a role in restoring peace in Balochistan."
The assembly, which was chaired by Deputy Speaker Qudos Bezinjo, echoed with a debate on the deteriorating law and order situation in Balochistan. There was uproar in the house as members from opposition and treasury benches blamed each other for the volatile situation in the province.
Abdul Rehman Khitran from the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) had tabled the resolution stating that the Balochistan government should constitute a jirga to hold negotiations with the Khan of Kalat.
“The official jirga [should] persuade him and bring him back to Balochistan with complete respect so that he could play a role to end the law and order problems. It will be helpful for the government to retain durable peace in the region,” he stated.
He said the government was unable to reach out to nationalist leaders who are living in exile for a year-and-a-half.
“Law and order in Balochistan is immensely disturbed for the past 10 years. Chief Minister Dr Malik Baloch admitted that there are problems of law and order in Balochistan. Senior Minister Sanaullah Zehri also said the government has failed to maintain public order,” Khithran told the house.
Provincial Information Minister Rahim Ziaratwal interrupted his speech and said the mover should talk about the resolution instead of the law and order situation. “Khan of Kalat wants to restore the Independent State of Kalat. How could that be possible?" he questioned.
Health Minister Rehmat Baloch said those who are now on the opposition benches are responsible for the deteriorating law and order situation in the province, after which several members started speaking simultaneously, blaming each other for the problems.
Rehmat tried to intervene and said every member should wait for his/her turn to speak; however, the uproar continued for a few minutes.
He went on to say that while he did say that there is problem regarding law and order, it is comparatively better than the previous government. “Everyone should correct their record regarding the state of law and order in Balochistan because it is getting better,” he clarified.
Three bills passed
Three bills -- on salaries, allowance and privileges -- were passed in the Balochistan Assembly on Monday. The assembly session was chaired by Deputy Speaker Abdul Quddoos Bezinjo, and the bills were tabled during the previous proceedings and were passed on Tuesday.
Provincial Minister of Services and General Administration Nawab Mohammad Khan Shahwani moved three bills, including “Chief Minister and Provincial Ministers (Salaries, Allowance and Privileges) Act; Speaker, Deputy Speaker Balochistan (Salaries, Allowances, Privileges) Act and Members Balochistan Assembly (Salaries, Allowance and Privileges) Act.
He moved a motion seeking an exemption for the above bills from the Balochistan Assembly rules and conduct of business 1974. The house gave exemption to the bills of these rules.
“After giving due thought to the present high cost of daily expenses during travelling, it is imperative to increase the daily allowances of Chief Minister, Provincial Ministers, Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Members of Balochistan Assembly,” Shahwani said.
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@Bakhtiyar Ghazi Khan: If that is so then explain what SMQ is doing in PTI?
@Tufan Agha: Why don't you g back t hazarajat and leave matters of Balochistan to Baloch people?
Neither there is State of Kalat nor of Kalat. The Constitution of Pakistan does not have any such State & its Khan. Assemblies should be careful in conducting its proceedings.
Who has forced him for exile. He is living a carefree life in a foreign country by choice and he can come to his own country at any time. If he has any cases pending against him, he is not above law and he must face these cases and get evicted from the court of law. If Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, Mr. Nawaz Sharif and other people can face courts, then Mr. Agha Suleiman Daud is not an exception. Why the Balochistan Assembly has passed the Resolution for his negotiated settlement, which means that he should be given clean chit along-with other Baloch leaders and drop all the charges of killings of innocent people, which include ordinary people and security agencies, in the name of freeing Balochistan under the funding from foreign countries. This should not happen under any circumstances, those who have violated the law of the land should be booked and brought to justice.
How about ending feudalism and privilege in Pakistan for land owners? Every Pakistani is a VIP. Support PTI.
This resolution should also be passed by National Assembly and Sindh Assembly
I doubt that bringing back Khan of Kalat will bring any peace. The Khan opposed kalat's ascension to Pakistan and believes in separatis views so I dont feel he'll contribute to the stability in the region, in turn he might aid the speratist traitors of Pakistan
Baluchistan Assembly passes three bills, and all related to increasing the benefits of MPAs and ministers. They are really enjoying the beauty of democracy, while a common man has to wait for at least a year only to get adjusted to the inflation rate. Is it not conflict of interest and abuse of power to benefit themselves, instead of people?
Kalat family has a history in founding Pakistan and association with the Great Quaid.