Balochistan

People’s mandate stolen in general elections: Raisani

Pledges to go ahead with projects launched in his tenure as CM

Our Correspondent October 22, 2018

Nawab Aslam Raisani. PHOTO: FILE

QUETTA: Aslam Raisani, the newly-elected MPA from PB-35 Mastung, has said those who looted provincial resources have also stolen the mandate in the July 25 general elections.

He said this during a meeting with tribal elders and politicians at Sarawan House on Sunday. The politicians and tribal leaders congratulated him on winning the by-election.

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Raisani pledged to go ahead with the development projects on Mastung that had been started during his tenure as chief minister. He added that the people of Mastung had made history through the power of vote and rejected those who wasted the province’s natural resources.

On the occasion, Haji Lashkari Raisani of the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) said that some people led the province into turmoil. He added Aslam Raisani had never compromised on the rights of the people.

Earlier this week, Aslam Raisani had said the people had rejected the ‘third-party intervention’ in provincial affairs. He added that hidden powers attempted to rig the by-elections by blackmailing the people and buying their votes.

He said that the major cause of financial crisis in the province was the presence of a large number of security forces.

The former CM said the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP)-led provincial government was unable to run the provincial affairs. He said the government completely neglected the Mastung incident in which nearly 150 people had been killed. He called for those responsible for the attack to be brought to justice.

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Raisani said the BNP-M supported him in the by-election, and he would continue to support the party whether he joined the government or opposition.

Speaking with regard to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he described Gwadar as an integral part of the province. “We will never allow anyone to bypass Balochistan over decisions regarding the future of Gwadar,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 22^nd, 2018.