Shahzain quits govt after talks with Bilawal

Fawad says Umar will reach out to JWP leader today, ‘he will come back’

LAHORE:

 

Read Govt lays groundwork for talks with angry Baloch

A day ahead of the tabling of the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan in the National Assembly, Special Assistant to the PM on Reconciliation and Harmony in Balochistan Shahzain Bugti on Sunday announced his resignation from the federal cabinet, saying he had enough of the unfulfilled promises Prime Minister Imran Khan had made for the development of the province.

Shahzain unveiled his decision at a joint news conference with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari following their meeting focusing on the prevailing political situation in the country.nShahzain informed the media persons about his party’s decision to part ways with the ruling PTI and resignation from the federal cabinet.

He said, "The government has failed to deliver in Balochistan. The federal government gave us hope that things will improve with its promise to focus on the underdeveloped areas but the people have been disappointed."

The JWP chief said, "We are standing with the Pakistan Democratic Movement and will do whatever we can." On his part, Bilawal described Shahzain’s resignation as a "brave decision". He said that Shahzain had tried to work with the government during the past three years but it had betrayed both its people and the opposition, adding that PM Imran had "used his allies".

Bilawal while thanking Shahzain said that the MNA had sent a clear-cut message to the Pakistani people. "The people are looking to us to solve their problems. Balochistan's issues are complicated and our history has not been fair with the people of the province," the PPP chairman added.

“Shahzain Bugti hosted us at the time of the Senate election, and today when the country is at a crossroad where the future of the country and democracy are at stake, the country is looking at parliament to emerge from this crisis,” he said.

Bilawal said that this is a timely and courageous decision by Shahzain. He said that many respectable politicians who truly represent their constituencies made efforts to raise their voice for the people. “Imran Khan betrayed his allies the same way that he ditched the people and the opposition.” As long as true representatives of Balochistan and all of the country do not come forward, the problems of the people cannot be solved.

“We are grateful to the Jamhoori Watan Party and Shahzain Bugti for taking this brave decision. The issues of Balochistan are very complicated and the people of Balochistan have not gotten justice in our history. If we have to save Pakistan, we have to provide justice to the people,” he said.

Bilawal asserted that Shahzain had taken an "independent decision" which had been disclosed now. "This decision came from the experience of working with these people for three years. Bugti Sahib is a brave man and he values his word," he added.

Bilawal accused the incumbent government of failing to fulfil its promises. "We still have to show the people of Balochistan that are we ready to resolve the province’s issues. If we can inaugurate grand projects and hospitals in Sindh and Punjab, we can do it in Balochistan also. We will always try to raise voice on genuine issues of Balochistan," Bilawal said.

Answering the questions, Bilawal said that all of the “allies have made their decisions … when they present them before the country is their own choice”. If we brought the 18th Amendment, it was for the people.

President (Asif) Zardari was the most powerful president in the country's history but gave his powers to parliament and the provinces, he said, adding that Balochistan was given a specific protection. Even in critical condition, Balochistan's budget cannot be reduced.

“If President Zardari apologised to the people of Balochistan for past mistakes, he did so as the president of the country and the military's supreme commander. Our effort will be to work with Shahzain Bugti on genuine issues and their solutions.”

Bilawal said that as far as the surprise is concerned, Imran Khan has lost his majority already and it is too late now. “All this propaganda and pressurising will not work now.” The opposition believes in democracy and will use democratic means to drive out this “undemocratic man”. “We would like to congratulate the country on Imran losing his majority and government.”

Earlier, Bilawal Bhutto held talks with Shahzain at the JWP leader's residence in Islamabad and succeeded in winning his support for the no-trust move against the prime minister. Shahzain has a single vote in the National Assembly as an ally of the ruling PTI.

Shahzain, grandson of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, is a federal minister and elected from NA-259 in 2018 general elections. In 2021, PM Imran had appointed Shahzain as special assistant on Balochistan reconciliation.

Separately, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry appeared confident that Shahzain will “come back [to the government] on Monday”. “Planning and Development Minister] Asad Umar will meet Shahzain Bugti today [Monday], Fawad said.

He said that previously, four out of 12 people, who had announced their decision to leave the ruling party, chose the “path to return”. “Till an hour before the no-trust vote, the situation will keep on changing.”