Balochistan still scrabbling over caretaker CM after third round of talks

Bizenjo comes down to three candidates, Ziaratwal two


Mohammad Zafar May 28, 2018
Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo and Leader of Opposition in Balochistan Assembly Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal during the meeting. PHOTO: EXPRESS

QUETTA: Despite locking horns for the third time over picking a caretaker chief minister of Balochistan, provincial leader Abdul Quddus Bizenjo and opposition leader Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal have come down to five candidates from the earlier 16. Both the leaders had submitted eight names each for the caretaker CM’s slot during the first round of talks.
In the meeting held at 1am at the CM House on Sunday, Bizenjo shortlisted three names - Prince Ahmed Ali, Allauddin Marri and Advocate Kamran Murtaza - while Ziaratwal had two names - Qazi Ashraf and former speaker Aslam Bhootani.

Bizenjo, Ziaratwal lock horns on caretaker CM

Bizenjo said, “We are making all-out efforts to emerge with a unanimous name for the next interim chief minister. Our intention is to introduce an educated and non-political figure who can utilise the resources at his disposal to hold impartial elections.”
He said in comparison with other provincial governments, “we formed the government in Balochistan on June 9, 2013”, which adds more days to the provincial government’s tenure.
The opposition leader urged to finalise a name for the interim chief minister, who could bear the establishment’s pressure and “stop hidden powers from interfering in the elections”.

K-P chooses caretaker CM as other provinces struggle

According to sources, the provincial government had expedited its contacts to resolve the conundrum of interim CM, while the opposition refused to show flexibility over the names proposed.
According to political pundits, after three rounds of talks failed to finalise a candidate for the caretaker CM, the matter appears to be heading towards the Balochistan Assembly’s Parliamentary Committee for final decision.
Following the failure in reaching a name, the Election Commission of Pakistan could intervene and finalise the candidate for the caretaker CM by using its constitutional power.

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ