Balochistan interim govt: Ghous Bakhsh Barozai named as interim CM

QUETTA: Former Opposition leader of Balochistan Assembly and former chief minister Balochistan Nawab Aslam Raisani announced the name of Nawab Ghous Baksh Barozai as the interim CM of the province.

Addressing a joint press conference in Quetta on Thursday, Raisani considered it a success that the opposition and provincial government reached consensus over Barozai’s name.

Raisani and his allies, which include the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl, Awami National Party, Balochistan National Party (Awami) and some independent members, had nominated Jam Kamal Khan, former chief justice Amanullah Yaseenzai and Justice (retd) Ahmed Khan Lashari for the post.

While the opposition leader and his allies, which include Pakistan Peoples Party Balochistan chapter president Sadiq Umrani and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid leader Jaffer Khan Mandokhel, had named Nawab Ghous Bakhsh Barozai, Sardar Saleh Bhootani and Hussain Bakhsh Bangulzai in their list of candidates.

Earlier on March 20, the meeting between Raisani and Magsi had ended in a stalemate.

Defending governance

Opposition party congratulated the leaders and members of the assembly on completing five years of government.

“We ran a successful government in Balochistan for five years with Aslam Raisani and solved a lot of issues facing the province, like NFC Award and Reko Diq issue,” opposition said.

He said that that while Balochistan was going through crisis, opposition and government managed to stand united and reached a consensus over caretaker government set up.

Pak-Iran gas pipeline royalty

Raisani said that Balochistan should be given the royalty from Pak-Iran gas pipeline.

“Reko Diq Project in Balochistan and Gwadar Port belongs to the people of Balochistan, hence the royalty should be given to Balochistan government.”