Rind backs Bizenjo as Balochistan CM

PTI leader says hopefully BAP won’t ignore its ally now

QUETTA:

PTI Parliamentary Leader Sardar Yar Mohammad Rind on Wednesday announced that he was pulling out of the race and backing Balochistan Awami Party’s (BAP) Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo for the chief minister’s slot, bringing an end to the political void in the province.

After Jam Kamal stepped down as the chief minister, BAP nominated Bizenjo for the slot.

However, the PTIs’ parliamentary party in the province named Rind for the position.

On the Prime Minister Imran Khan’s instructions, Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani and Defence Minister Pervez Khattak left for Quetta to resolve the matter.

Rind made the announcement while addressing a news conference at his residence accompanied by Bizenjo, who has recently resigned from post of the Balochistan Assembly speaker.

Also present on the occasion were Khattak, Sanjrani, BAP acting President Mir Zahoor Buledi, its founder Senator Saeed Ahmed Hashmi, general secretary Senator Manzoor Khan Kakar and chief organiser Mir Jan Muhammad Jamali.

Speaking on the occasion, Khattak said the PTI had already sided with BAP.

"We have not interfered in the internal affairs of BAP. We will continue to work together," he added.

He said the new provincial government was expected to support the PTI.

“We don't want the PTI to be bypassed. The PTI has supported BAP for the second time but it did not give us the status we deserved as an ally.”

In response to a question, Khattak said he had met the PTI lawmakers in the province.

"Sardar Rind was out of the country so we were unable to meet him. We will never forget our party.”

The defence minister said former chief minister Jam Kamal had resigned in a dignified manner.

In response to a question, he said the PTI faced no problems in the federation and Punjab. “The government does not fall just by talking and holding news conferences.”

Speaking on the occasion, Rind said the PTI MPAs had expressed in a meeting that they were being completely ignored by BAP.

“There were expectations from BAP that were not fulfilled,” he added.

"[Then] Prime Minister Imran Khan then sent Pervez Khattak [to Balochistan].”

“We are again hoping that the BAP would not do to us what it has been doing for the last three years.”

Speaking on the occasion, Bizenjo said Rind was his elder and taking advantage of his experience, the BAP would form a good government in Balochistan together.

“Our aim is not to annoy the allies. We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused.”

Replying to a question, he said that the affairs of Balochistan should not be linked to other provinces and the federation.

Speaking on the occasion, acting president of Balochistan Awami Party Mir Zahoor Buledi said Rind had always shown greatness.

“Sardar Yar Mohammad Rind will be given the respect he deserves. The PTI will support us unconditionally in the election of the chief minister and the provincial assembly speaker,” he added.