Ex-CM Kamal likely to join PML-N

Move comes as CM Bizenjo, Sanjrani decide to keep BAP intact

QUETTA:

Former Balochistan chief minister of the ruling Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), Jam Kamal Khan, Senator Sarfraz Bugti, Anwarul Haq Kakar and others are likely to join the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.

Other BAP leaders, including Asim Kurd Gailo, Mitha Khan Kakar, Sardar Masood Luni and Muhammad Khan Lehri are also likely to join the PML N, sources close to them told The Express Tribune via telephone.

The development came after the Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo, Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, Balochistan Assembly Speaker Jan Muhammad Jamali and Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) founder Senator Saeed Ahmed Hashmi announced that they would keep the ruling BAP intact.

“We all have decided to contest the elections through the BAP platform,” a joint statement issued by them the other day clarified.

"This major political announcement from Balochistan is expected soon," one of the leaders, who is likely to join the PML N, disclosed.

He also mentioned that there were strong chances that the former BAP leaders might join the PML N after the formation of the caretaker government in the country and province.

Former CM Kamal has already held meetings with PML N leader Maryam Nawaz and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari.

Earlier, there were reports that the former CM might join the PPP along with other party leaders.

However, now the chances with regard to their joining the PPP appear to be bleak.

Wadera Hassan Jamot who contested elections against Kamal in Lasbela had already joined the PPP.

Ali Hassan Zehri who is stated to be one of the close aides of Zardari played a cruicial role in the bringing Jamot closer to the PPP leader.

Negotiations were under way between the PML N and the BAP leaders in this regard, the BAP leader mentioned, giving no further details.

However, he said there was a strong possibility of joining the PML N.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 1^st, 2023.