PPP, PML-N reaffirm support for Sarfraz Bugti amid in-house change rumours in Balochistan

Amid reports suggesting a possible change of Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, the coalition partners — PPP and PML-N — have reaffirmed their confidence in the incumbent provincial chief executive.

Swirling speculation emerged after claims that President Asif Ali Zardari had expressed reservations over Bugti’s performance. Reports further suggested that during a recent trip to Dubai, the president declined to meet the Balochistan chief minister, fueling rumours of an impending shift in the provincial leadership.

However, senior parliamentary figures from both the PML-N and PPP quickly moved to quell such speculation, assuring the public that Chief Minister Bugti continues to enjoy the coalition partners’ full support.

Their reassurance comes at a time when several prominent leaders from both parties — including PPP’s Ali Hassan Zehri and Mir Liaquat Ali Lehri, and PML-N’s Nawab Changaiz Marri — have publicly voiced dissatisfaction over what they see as the chief minister’s inability to improve governance and address the province’s fundamental challenges.

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Their criticism, though notable, appears to reflect internal frustration rather than an organised push for political change. PML-N Parliamentary Leader Mir Saleem Khan Khosa and PPP Parliamentary Leader Mir Muhammad Sadiq Umrani firmly rejected Senator Mir Dostain Khan Domki’s claim regarding an imminent leadership change, dismissing it as his personal opinion.

They stressed that neither party’s central leadership has initiated any discussion on replacing the chief minister, nor do coalition partners view such a move as necessary at this stage.

Speaking to journalists after the provincial assembly session, Khosa noted that Balochistan continues to grapple with persistent issues of law and order, service delivery, and administrative shortcomings — matters that were reviewed in detail during an in-camera briefing.

He added that he has informed National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq of the controversy and expects the party leadership to question Senator Domki for issuing an unauthorised statement at a sensitive time.

PPP’s Mir Muhammad Sadiq Umrani echoed these views, acknowledging that while pockets of criticism exist within the coalition, the government remains united on broader objectives. He said disagreements are part of political life, especially in a province facing deep-rooted structural problems, but cautioned that such differences should not be misinterpreted as a rebellion.

Both leaders emphasised that coalition politics in Balochistan require patience, maturity, and continuous dialogue. They urged supporters and observers not to mistake internal criticism for instability, maintaining that the administration remains intact and committed to addressing the province’s longstanding challenges.