Crisis defused: Zardari, Raisani shake hands, once again

Efforts to resolve Balochistan’s constitutional crisis bear fruit.

QUETTA:

The federal government decided not to extend or re-impose governor’s rule in Balochistan, after Chief Minister Nawab Mohammad Aslam Raisani resolved all differences with President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday.

This happened during a meeting between Raisani and Zardari at the Presidency, during which many pertinent decisions were taken. Some federal and Balochistan ministers were also present.

According to sources, the coalition partners resolved to dissolve the provincial assembly before March 20.

Furthermore, after thorough discussions about the caretaker set-up, it was decided that the reinstated chief minister will preside over a meeting of the Balochistan cabinet tomorrow (Sunday), while the provincial assembly will also be called within the next two days.

“Raisani will preside over a cabinet meeting on March 17,” confirmed Balochistan Director General Public Relations Kamran Asad.

For this purpose, Raisani, along with other parliamentary leaders of the coalition government, will return to Quetta today (Saturday).

Sources emphasised that any doubt about the restoration of Balochistan government was dispelled after the Zardari-Raisani meeting.

They also discussed the profiles of the six persons nominated for the slot of caretaker chief minister.

Moreover, President Zardari accepted the demand of the coalition partners to replace Balochistan Chief Secretary Babar Yaqoob Fateh Mohammad. In his place, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl proposed the name of former finance secretary Mehfooz Ali Khan.

Seemingly, the intent behind the flurry of upcoming meetings is to finalise the caretaker set-up.

In this vein, sources said it was decided that two coalition partners – JUI-F and the Balochistan National Party-Awami – will sit in the opposition and will bring forth their opposition leader once the caretaker chief minister is decided.

Presidential spokesperson Senator Farhatullah Babar corroborated the view that frantic efforts were made, and still are being made, to resolve the constitutional crisis.

“Hectic consultation on Balochistan is continuing. We hope the issue will be resolved peacefully and in accordance with the Constitution while respecting wishes of the people,” he said.

The Chief Minister Secretariat staff has resumed its duties. Preparations are underway for Raisani’s arrival in Quetta.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 16^th, 2013.