Bizenjo mobilises to become next Balochistan CM

Balochistan Assembly Speaker Abdul Quddus Bizenjo has mobilised to become the chief minister of the province after several senior BAP members refused to support Jam Kamal Khan in the wake of the no-confidence motion submitted by 16 opposition lawmakers against him.

Apart from the opposition parties, the ruling Balochistan Awami Party lawmakers had told Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani that they were “fed up with Chief Minister Kamal”.

Witnessing political tension in Balochistan, Sanjrani arrived in Quetta in the middle of last month to address the concerns of the disgruntled lawmakers and help thwart the no-confidence motion. However, it appears his efforts failed to bear any fruit.

Following the meetings, Sanjrani said that he failed to convince the angry party lawmakers who insisted on supporting the no-confidence motion against Kamal.

“We have tried to handle the situation but this time the issue is serious,” Sanjrani said, adding that Sardar Saleh Bhootani and Bizenjo have stuck to their decision.

“I hope that Jam Kamal will resolve this issue himself. I have done my bit of effort,” Sanjrani said.

Sources said the provincial minister and a close associate of Bizenjo, who is also a BAP leader, had an important meeting at the residence of JUI-F Balochistan Amir Maulana Abdul Wasey in Karachi.

Read Sanjrani wins back disgruntled Baloch MPAs

He also sought the help of JUI-F in removing CM Kamal.

Sources said that the provincial minister while talking to Wasey said that Kamal should be removed from the chief ministership and Bizenjo should be made the CM.

However, Wasey replied that “our party would not be used for anyone's benefit”.

“If Bizenjo and the disgruntled lawmakers are serious about removing Kamal, resign from the ministries first,” the sources quoted Wasey as saying.

“By resigning, they themselves will start a no-confidence motion against Kamal. The opposition will support them.”

The sources said that a meeting of the disgruntled BAP leaders has been summoned on October 3. The meeting will be chaired by Bizenjo. Apart from the speaker, disgruntled provincial ministers and other assembly members will also attend the meeting.