MPAs accuse CM Kamal of detaining four lawmakers

QUETTA:

The disgruntled members of the Balochistan Awami Party, Balochistan National Party-Awami and others have accused Jam Kamal Khan of detaining four lawmakers ahead of the voting on the no-confidence motion tabled against the chief minister in the provincial assembly on Monday.

“Two of the four [three females and one male] missing lawmakers have stated on Twitter that two are in Islamabad but their cell phones are switched off,” they said while addressing a news conference at the Balochistan Assembly on Friday.

With one voice, Milli Awami Party parliamentary leader Nasrullah Zairay, Abdul Wahid Siddiqui and Akbar Mengal said, “The sanctity of the Constitution and that of the man has been violated in the province.”

They were accompanied by Leader of Opposition Malik Sikandar Advocate, BNP-A Secretary General Mir Asadullah Baloch, BNP parliamentary leader Malik Naseer Ahmad Shahwani and BAP spokesperson Sardar Abdul Rehman Khetran.

“Under the Constitution, the protection of life and property of every citizen is the responsibility of the state. Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan should resign now [as he failed to do so],” they said. “On the one hand there is the Constitution and on the other there is bullying. Gold and guns are being used against the assembly members."

Opposition Leader Sikandar said that attack on human values after October 20 – the day the no-confidence motion was tabled in the assembly – has violated democratic values, adding that the protection of life and property of a citizen is the responsibility of the state.

“Under Article 9, every citizen should be protected from detention. Article 14 states that the protection of human dignity is the responsibility of the state. Article 15 gives everyone the freedom of movement and under Article 25, no one will be discriminated against," he said.

“Is it their fault that they signed a no-confidence motion against Jam Kamal?” he said, demanding the resignation of CM Kamal.

"Members are not being given constitutional rights. Women are the most-respected in Balochistan," he said. “It is a crime to keep mothers and sisters in such an unjustified confinement. We went to the chief secretary's office but he disappeared and did not meet us.”

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The members who signed the no-confidence motion are being threatened and kidnapped, he said, adding that he met the Balochistan governor as he is the constitutional head. “Everything is in front of him. Let us protect and rescue the members.

"The Constitution has been violated and action should be taken against those involved. On October 20, 34 members opposed Jam Kamal in the House.”

BNP-A’s Asadullah said, “We exercised our right within the ambit of law and Constitution. Kamal is trying to create anarchy in Balochistan. The past, future and present of those who do not listen to the voice of the people will be ruined. Jam Kamal tried to bulldoze the traditions of Balochistan.

"The situation in Pakistan is being aggravated by those who had aggravated the situation in Bangladesh.”

He appealed to the chief justice of Pakistan to defend the Constitution. “Thirty-four members have faith in Allah. No one can beat us. Instead of taking action against criminals, honorable members have gone missing," Asadullah said.

BAP’s Khetran praised Kamal, saying he “is a respected person”.

“I jokingly said that the missing members are in Quetta, but they said no they are in Islamabad. They have been shifted to Islamabad by plane,” he added.

"Jam Kamal is trying hard to save a chair," he said, adding that Rs100 million, then the “ministry of our choice” and now Rs200 million P&D are being offered.

Read more Four ‘missing’ BAP MPAs come to the fore

"Even in a dictatorship, women would not have been abducted as they are today. The sanctity of the veil and the four walls has been violated," the leaders said.

Shahwani said, “Balochistan should be considered a part of this country and mercy should be shown to the people.”

Meeting with governor

The disgruntled lawmakers called on the Balochistan governor and apprised him of their concerns, asking him to play his constitutional role in the matter.

Syed Zahoor Ahmad Agha assured the delegation, led by Leader of the Opposition in Balochistan Assembly Malik Sikandar Khan Advocate, of full cooperation.

Sardar Abdul Rehman Khetran, Malik Naseer Ahmad Shahwani, Nasrullah Zairay, Mir Asad Baloch, Abdul Wahid Siddiqui, Younis Zehri and Akbar Mengal were present.

The Balochistan governor said, “Protection of public interest can be ensured only by adopting constitutional procedures in a democratic government.

"It is my personal desire and endeavour to bring all matters to a conclusion in a mutually understandable and democratic manner. We have a constitutional way of running all parliamentary affairs which all parliamentarians must abide by."