On insurgents’ demand: NP man likely to replace Michael as ports minister

Govt has asked Bizenjo to either join federal cabinet or to nominate someone from his party

ISLAMABAD: The government is all set to appoint a Baloch lawmaker as the ports and shipping minister in order to appease certain Baloch insurgent groups that will in return desist from insurgency in areas of Gwadar.

Sources said Baloch insurgents and locals of Gwadar have communicated to the federal government that if it wants to make Gwadar port functional then it must appoint a Baloch minister for ports and shipping.

In view of the demand, the government has asked the National Party’s (NP) head Hasil Bizenjo to either join the federal cabinet or to nominate anyone from his party for this slot. It has also asked the Shipping and Ports Minister Kamran Michael to prepare for a portfolio change.



Sources said the demand was raised during talks with Baloch insurgents, including the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), which is very active in Balochistan’s coastal areas. They said the government is signaling willingness for flexibility and may accept the insurgents’ legal demands under the Constitution of the Pakistan.

Earlier, the government tried to convince them that the incumbent minister would be at their disposal and would safeguard their interests. However, the Baloch insurgents did not budge on their demand for appointment of a Baloch politician. After deliberations, the government conceded and decided to bring a change in the ministry.

Earlier, the government mulled over both the options of asking the NP – its ally in Balochistan and the centre – to nominate a lawmaker for the portfolio or to bring a Baloch minister from the ruling party’s Balochistan chapter.



Some circles within the ruling party had proposed the appointment of a state minister instead of changing Michael’s portfolio. However, the NP’s Hasil Bizenjo was himself interested in bagging the post and it was not possible for the government to appoint him as minister for state in view of his stature.

Later, the government offered Bizenjo’s party the slot and an NP lawmaker may take oath as the new minister in a few days. Apart from his regular duties, the minister will also be responsible to engage the Baloch insurgent to make sure smooth functioning of Gwadar port.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 15^th, 2016.