Pakistan

PML-N now leads in Balochistan with 12 seats

Two more independent provincial assembly members join party

News Desk February 20, 2024

Wali Muhammad and Abdul Khaliq announced their decision to join PML-N during meeting with Shehbaz Sharif in Lahore. SCREENGRAB

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Tuesday became the majority party in Balochistan after two more independent MPAs joined its ranks – taking its tally of seats in the province to 12.

PML-N President and nominee for the premiership Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting in Lahore with the independent members of the Balochistan Assembly, Wali Muhammad from PB-41 Quetta-IV and Abdul Khaliq from PB-51 Chaman, who announced their decision to join the party.

The party’s provincial chief, Sheikh Jaffar Khan Mandokhail, and leader Jamal Shah Kakar were also present in the meeting.

Extending his felicitations to Wali Muhammad and Abdul Khaliq for their decision to join the PML-N, Shehbaz underscored the significance of their choice to contribute to Pakistan’s stability.

"They (Wali Muhammad and Abdul Khaliq) have played a role in the stability of Pakistan by joining the PML-N – a move that is worthy of praise," he remarked.

The PML-N president emphasised the need for stability over chaos in Pakistan's political landscape.
"Pakistan needs stability, not chaos," he observed.

He reiterated the importance of dialogue and collaboration in resolving the country's challenges.

لاہور: 20 فروری

پاکستان مسلم لیگ (ن) کو بلوچستان اسمبلی کی 2 نشستیں مل گئیں

پاکستان مسلم لیگ (ن) کے صدر اور نامزد وزیراعظم شہباز شریف سے آزاد منتخب ارکان اسمبلی کی ملاقات

بلوچستان اسمبلی کے حلقہ پی بی 41 اور 51 سے آزاد حیثیت میں انتخاب جیتنے والے ولی محمد اور عبدالخالق… pic.twitter.com/ahxPos4vxw
— PMLN (@pmln_org) February 20, 2024

He stressed the need for holding talks as well as working together to address the problems confronting the country, and not by fighting.

On Sunday, Mir Mohammad Asim Kurd Gello, an independent candidate from Kachhi's PB-12 constituency, had also joined the PML-N.

During the meeting, Shehbaz extended his gratitude to Gello and his associates for their decision to align with the PML-N.

He lauded their commitment and welcomed them into the party’s fold.

Gello, in turn, emphasised the pivotal role played by PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and his party in the development of Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan.

"I envision a future where the people of Balochistan thrive in education, healthcare, and overall development," Gello said, underlining his aspirations for the province's progress.

Also read: PTI to sit in opposition in Centre, Punjab on Imran’s directives: Saif

According to the latest party position in the Balochistan Assembly, the JUI-F and PPP both have 11 seats each; BAP four; independent members four; National Party three; ANP two; and BNP-Awami, Haq Do Tehreek, and Jamaat-e-Islami one each.

It is expected that the remaining four independent members would also join a party within the next 24 hours.

Former Balochistan chief minister and PML-N leader Jam Kamal Khan recently announced plans to engage with independent members and other political parties in an effort to form a coalition government in the province.

Meanwhile, independent candidate Bakht Muhammad Kakar, who won from PB-39 Quetta-II, joined the Pakistan Peoples Party after a meeting with party Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari in Islamabad. Malik Shah Gurgej, Ali Madad Jatak and Jamal Raisani were present during the meeting.

It is expected that a coalition government would be formed in Balochistan with half of the tenure the chief minister will be of the PML-N and the rest the PPP.