Bugti extends olive branch to disgruntled Baloch

QUETTA:

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti on Friday emerged triumphant in the race for the Balochistan chief minister, securing an uncontested victory as no other contender submitted nomination papers for the coveted position.

The official announcement of Bugti's nomination as CM is scheduled for 11am today during the provincial assembly session. The swearing-in ceremony for the newly elected chief executive of Balochistan will be held on Saturday evening at the Governor House in Quetta.

Bugti, the former caretaker interior minister and ex-provincial information minister, presented four nomination papers for the chief ministership in Balochistan to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) office.

After submitting his nomination papers for the Balochistan CM’s position, Bugti held out an olive branch to disgruntled Baloch leaders, emphasising decisive action against those who were taking the law into their own hands.

"My party, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), believes in dialogue and reconciliation," Bugti told The Express Tribune.
He vowed to ensure writ of the government.

Having resigned as the caretaker interior minister in December last year, the politician joined the ranks of the PPP.

Proposed by the PPP, Bugti garnered support from leaders such as Nawab Sanaullah Khan Zehri and Sardar Sarfaraz Chakar Domki of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

Based on the preliminary results of the 2024 nationwide elections, the PML-N secured the top position by winning 11 Balochistan Assembly seats, equivalent to the seats won by the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F).

Meanwhile, the PPP secured victories on 10 seats.

Post-election, the PML-N and PPP forged an alliance, pledging mutual support in forming governments at the national and provincial levels.

In the wake of the alliance and securing a majority in Sindh, the PPP announced its intention to establish its government in Balochistan.

The PML-N, along with the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) and the Awami National Party (ANP), emerged as major coalition partners in the province.

On Friday evening, Balochistan Assembly Speaker Captain (retd) Khaliq Achakzai told media persons that Bugti was the new CM of Balochistan.

Backing Bugti on extending an olive branch to the disgruntled Baloch leaders, Achakzai said that no issue could be addressed without talks and the same formula would be applied in Balochistan. He hinted at action against those who were playing with the lives of innocent people.

In response to a question, Bugti, who was present, stated that merit would be ensured in all government departments and that nobody would be allowed to violate the merit.

He vowed that nobody would be allowed to sell government jobs.

"Those who are involved in selling jobs will be put behind bars," he warned.

Bugti said it was the worst precedent that jobs were being sold in Balochistan.

"I will stop this filthy process," he assured.

The PPP and PML-N have decided to form a coalition government in Balochistan.

The slot of the CM has been given to the PPP, whereas, the slot of the governor of Balochistan and speaker have been given to the PML-N.

The two parties emerged as the two largest parliamentary groups in the aftermath of the Feb 8 general elections.