ANP’s Achakzai hints at supporting Bugti in Senate election

Says final decision will be taken after developing consensus with parliamentary committee members

QUETTA: Awami National Party (ANP) parliamentary leader and provincial President Asghar Khan Achakzai has voiced support for the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) candidate in the Senate election on the seat vacated by PTI’s Naimatullah Zehri but says the final decision will be announced after developing consensus with the party’s parliamentary committee members.

Former home minister and BAP candidate for the vacated seat Sarfraz Bugti met with the provincial leadership of ANP at Arbab House in Quetta to gain the support of ANP’s members of the provincial assembly (MPAs) for the Senate polls scheduled for September 12.



“Today (Sunday) a delegation of BAP came at our doors seeking support in the Senate election. We have political alliance with BAP in Balochistan and we want to continue our support for its candidate,” said Achakzai, adding that the final decision would be announced within the next few days after developing consensus with the ANP’s parliamentary committee members.

Provincial Minister for Forest Zia Langove, ANP’s Umar Farooq Kasi and other leaders of both the parties were present in the meeting.
Achakzai said, “The coalition parties are going to hold a meeting with the Balochistan chief minister where further discussion regarding the Senate election will take place.”



About the meeting, Bugti said, ANP is our coalition partner in the provincial government and we are optimistic that BAP will clinch its support for the upcoming Senate election.

“We have clear majority in the provincial assembly; therefore, we can successfully win the vacated Senate seat.”
Bugti promised to become the voice of Balochistan in the upper house of parliament.

On BAP and ANP relations, Bugti said, “ANP is a modest coalition partner which unconditionally announced support for our government. I am sure we will get ANP’s support.”

To a query regarding PTI’s candidate, Bugti said, “As the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf is also our coalition partner in Balochistan; therefore, it should withdraw its candidate in my favour.”