Upcoming elections: institutions urged to stay away from politics

SAFRON minister says there is perception hidden powers are supporting BAP

QUETTA: Federal Minister for States and Frontier Region Gen (retd) Abdul Qadir Baloch has urged the ‘institutions’ to refrain from indulging in political activities during the upcoming general elections, saying there is a strong perception that new parties are emerging in Balochistan to clinch the elections with the support of hidden powers.

“People have been speculating regarding Balochistan Awami Party’s (BAP) claims of having support of powerful institutions, but I want to suggest Saeed Hashmi, the central leader of BAP, to do fair politics for serving the people,” said the federal minister while talking to journalists in Killi Shareef, Naushki after meeting with tribal elders.



On corruption trial of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Baloch said, “Sharif has been disqualified on possessing Iqama after Imran Khan failed to provide proof in the Panamagate case against him.”

He said, “Whoever will do good work for the people and the country, we will follow in his footsteps, but unfortunately a former PM is deliberately being forced to visit court on a daily basis, and is not even allowed to visit his ailing wife.”

On discrimination with Balochistan on power supply, the federal minister said, “Our province has been facing injustice in getting electricity share as the burgeoning agriculture tube wells have increased the shortfall.”



He said that whenever the topic of giving due electricity share arises, “we are asked to pay electricity bills”.

“Pakistan is capable of producing 10,800 megawatts, and soon the curse of load shedding will be resolved,” claimed Baloch.

On future of Reko Dik, Baloch said, “Pakistan’s future is buried in Chagai as new companies are willing to work on Reko Dik with a pledge that Rs5 billion profit will be spent on Chagai’s development.”



Sharing his future political plan, he said, “I always wanted to contest the National Assembly’s election from this constituency, because Naushki is my home and I will serve my people if they elect me in the next general elections.”