Balochistan politics: All parties on the same page: Zehri

Newly nominated CM sets out priorities after PM invokes Murree deal

QUETTA: Newly nominated chief minister of Balochistan Sanaullah Zehri insisted on Friday that no friction existed among partners in the provincial government as all allies are determined to work for development.

Zehri will take over the reins of Balochistan from the National Party’s Dr Abdul Malik Baloch following his nomination by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday.

From the outset, Zehri said he had been optimistic about the implementation of the power sharing agreement reached earlier. “Rumours against the Murree deal have at last been quashed,” he told reporters.

Now, he said, the China-Pak Economic Corridor, maintaining law and order and talks with the disgruntled Baloch militants would be his priorities.

“We had never been reluctant over the agreement,” he said. “All political forces are on one page and there are no differences.”



All necessary legal steps would be taken within a week. The ministers would continue working on the same positions.

Replying to question about negotiations with insurgents, he said the prime minister had already announced an amnesty scheme. “We will intensify our efforts to implement it,” he added.

Sanaullah added that talks were under way with the Khan of Kalat as well as Brahamdagh Bugti. “I am optimistic about bringing them back to their native soil. Then it is up to them to follow Baloch nationalism or join mainstream politics,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 12^th, 2015.