Newly-elected Balochistan CM announces shutting down secret funds

QUETTA: Dr Abdul Malik Baloch was elected unopposed to the slot of Balochistan chief minister on Sunday as no other political party fielded a candidate for the coveted office, Express News reported.

All the 55 members present inside the provincial assembly favoured Dr Malik for the post. He took oath later during the day at Governor House.

Addressing the Balochistan Assembly after taking being elected, Dr Malik announced shutting down secret funds of the provincial government terming them "a source of corruption".

Dr Malik said that the province was facing issues of missing persons, religious extremism and kidnapping for ransom which were of grave concern.

“If Nawaz Sharif and the military government help us in solving these issues then I can say with surety that all the members of the assembly will go to talk to the disgruntled Baloch leaders and seek their help in restoring peace in the province,” Dr Malik said.

He added that the people of Balochistan were living below the poverty line and the education system has collapsed, and peace must prevail in the province if these issues are to be resolved.

Dr Malik was the consensus candidate of a three-party coalition in the Balochistan Assembly that comprises Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) and National Party (NP).

Potential candidates were asked to submit their nominations between 10am and 2pm on June 8. No one but Dr Malik submitted the nomination forms.