PM fails to save Balochistan CM

Opposition refuse to meet Abbasi as he reaches Quetta

QUETTA: In a last-ditch effort, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi failed to save Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri from the no-confidence motion moved against him in the Balochistan Assembly as the opposition members refused to meet the premier.

The opposition leader in the assembly and other opposition members refused to meet Abbasi, who had arrived in Quetta Monday evening.

The opposition, in a news conference before the prime minister’s arrival, had announced that they would not withdraw the no-confidence motion they had moved against the CM.

Sources, privy to the development informed The Express Tribune, that after the arrival of PM Abbasi efforts were made to contact with the opposition members, former ministers and MPAs who had revolted against Zehri. However, they refused to attend any meeting regarding the withdrawal of the no-confidence motion.



They added that the premier held a meeting with the government allies from the Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), National Party and those PML-N members who are already supporting the CM.

The consultation between the prime minister, chief minister, federal ministers and party senior leaders continued till late night. However, no official statement was issued regarding the meeting.

Assembly braces for a stormy session 

The Balochistan Assembly is likely to witness a stormy session on Tuesday afternoon which has been convened to discuss the no-confidence motion against Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri filed by the treasury benches, levelling serious allegations against his personality.

The government and the opposition both claim that they have the support of the majority to for the no-confidence motion which would be tabled in the assembly.

Speaker Raheela Durrani will preside over the session. Strict security measures have been taken for the scheduled session as authorities had cancelled all the passes of visitors.



However, special passes had been issued to journalists for the coverage of the session. Extra police force, Frontier Corps personnel will be deployed to further beef up the security for the all-important session.

At least 14 Provincial Assembly lawmakers, including Zehri’s most trusted aide former home minister Sarfaraz Bugti, submitted a no-confidence motion against the CM on January 2. The move attracted more PML-N leaders, and ministers and advisors also tendered resignations.