Governor signs CM’s summary to dissolve Balochistan Assembly

CM Bizenjo will continue to fulfil his responsibilities until a caretaker chief executive is appointed

QUETTA:

The Balochistan Assembly was officially dissolved on Saturday after Governor Malik Abdul Wali Khan Kakar gave his assent to the dissolution summary forwarded to him by Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo.

A notification issued by Governor Kakar announced the dissolution, stating, “As advised by Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo, the Chief Minister of Balochistan and in exercise of the powers conferred upon me under Article 112(1) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973, I, Malik Abdul Wali Khan Kakar, Governor Balochistan, hereby dissolve the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan, this 12th day of August, 2023, at 5 pm.”

Finally, the #Governor dissolved #BalochistanAssembly pic.twitter.com/yolXqEEDOm

— Syed Ali Shah (@alishahjourno) August 12, 2023

A governor's spokesperson in a statement clarified that in line with the dissolution of the provincial assembly, the cabinet had also been dissolved. However, it was emphasised that Chief Minister Bizenjo would continue to fulfil his responsibilities until a caretaker chief executive is appointed.

The dissolution of the Balochistan Assembly paves the way for a constructive dialogue between Chief Minister Bizenjo and the opposition leader in the house. This dialogue aims to foster collaboration in order to establish a caretaker administration that can efficiently manage the affairs of the province in the lead-up to the upcoming elections.

Like the National Assembly, the Balochistan Assembly held its inaugural sessions on August 13, 2018, following their election in the July 25 vote. Therefore, their five-year term was set to expire on Saturday, August 12 at midnight.

As per the Constitution, if the assembly completes its term, the next general election would be held in 60 days. But if the term is not complete, even by a few hours, the elections would be held in 90 days.

So far, there is no consensus on the nomination of the caretaker Balochistan chief minister. The opposition, led by the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI), has formed a three-member committee to finalise its names.

Also read: Balochistan, Sindh PAs likely to go today

The committee comprises opposition leader Malik Sikandar Advocate, the party’s Balochistan Amir Maulana Abdul Wasey and provincial Assembly member Mir Younas Aziz Zehri.

“So far none from the government has formally contacted our parliamentary committee,” a senior leader of the JUI said. However, official sources said that the chief minister was expected to meet the opposition leader “very soon”.

The ruling Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) has yet to form any committee for the negotiations with the opposition. The sources revealed that the BAP was expected to nominate Mir Hamal Kalmati as its candidate.

Besides Kalmati, the names of Mir Naseer Bizenjo, and Senator Kuhda Babar are also being discussed for the post of the caretaker chief minister. Other names taking rounds include Mir Behroz Regi and Dr Faiz Kakar.

To be precise, the final announcement in this regard is expected within next couple of days as the JUI Balochistan Amir Maulana Abdul Wasey has arrived in the provincial capital to finalise the name.