Bhootani among three shortlisted for caretaker CM

Bizenjo suggests a non-political figure to avoid any political interference

QUETTA: The government and the opposition in Balochistan have shortlisted three names for the post of caretaker chief minister of the province, according to sources.

Former deputy speaker of Balochistan Assembly Aslam Bhootani, provincial assembly member Prince Ahmed Ali and Alauddin Marri are among the shortlisted nominees, said the sources.

Bhootani is a nominee of the opposition parties, including the Pashtunkhwa Mili Awami Party (PkMAP) and the National Party, while the other two names have been suggested by the government.

The government and the opposition have to finalise one name for the post of chief minister before the provincial assembly completes its tenure on May 31. In case of a deadlock between the two sides, the election commission will be authorised to take a final decision.



According to the sources, the government and the opposition are trying to talk out the key issue, and a decision is expected within next 72 hours.

But in view of the prevailing political situation in the province, political pundits predict that the deadlock on the issue will persist, and the decision will emerge from the election commission.

On Tuesday, Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo stressed the need for a non-political figure to take over as caretaker CM so that any political interference could be avoided.

Bizenjo told reporters after the assembly’s last budget session that his government would leave after putting an active caretaker set-up in place, comprising educated and impartial figures, to play an effective role in conducting free and fair elections.

About the performance of his government that came into power in January 2018, the CM said that despite immense challenges, his government made its best efforts for serving the people of Balochistan.



“We opened the doors of the CM House to people in the form of Khuli Kachehri. We did face difficulties due to court restrictions, but a chief minister must use his powers in order to provide relief to the people,” said Bizenjo, adding that if a CM could not exercise his powers, he should not serve as so.

About the law and order challenges during the upcoming elections, he expected a more peaceful election as compared to the previous one.

Citing security challenges in his own constituency Awaran, the CM said in 2013 people were threatened not to come out of homes to vote, but despite security threats, the people of Awaran chose the ballot instead of bullet.

“I am optimistic that the coming elections will be impartial and peaceful, not just in Awaran but in the whole province,” he added.