Crisis in Balochistan: PML-N provincial legislators to map out plan in Karachi today

MPAs to apprise senior party leaders about row with NP along sidelines of a reception hosted by the US consul general.

ISLAMABAD:

Legislators representing Pakistan Muslim League –Nawaz in Balochistan are likely to map out their future course of action during a meeting in Karachi today (Monday) in the wake of the province’s deepening political crisis.

The party’s Balochistan chapter has been threatening to part ways with the ruling National Party (NP) in protest against a host of issues, including meddling by Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch in ministries and departments run by PML-N ministers and advisers.

Talking to The Express Tribune, a senior PML-N leader said MPAs from the party will discuss the issue ‘thoroughly’ in Karachi, where all members of the Balochistan Assembly have been invited to attend a reception hosted by the US consul general.

“The [PML-N] legislators will apprise senior party leaders – including Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan – about the issues they are confronting before they make a final decision on whether to quit the provincial cabinet,” the leader said.

Reportedly, the issue also came under discussion on Saturday, when two PML-N leaders from Balochistan – Home Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti and Minister of State for Petroleum Jam Kamal Khan – met Nisar in Islamabad.

While Bugti on Sunday confirmed the meeting with the interior minister took place, he refused to share any information on the discussion itself. “Party affairs, along with the law and order situation in Balochistan, were deliberated upon,” he said, refusing to elaborate further.

When asked about whether the party would part ways with the coalition government in Balochistan, Bugti said: “Our legislators have handed over their resignations to Sardar Sanaullah Zehri [the president of PML-N’s Balochistan chapter]… [but] the idea could not materialise due to Zehri being away from the country.”

“[Although] we have not resigned so far… there is no question of us withdrawing our resignations,” he added.

According to sources, Zehri – who has returned to Pakistan after performing Umrah – is in touch with his colleagues over the worsening crisis in Balochistan.

Meanwhile, a leader from the Awami National Party (ANP) said the NP’s acting president, Senator Mir Hasil Bizenjo, has contacted Nawabzada Jangayz Marri – one of PML-N’s four central vice presidents – to bring an end to the standoff.  Marri has also reportedly been contacted by leaders from the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party over the issue.

Jan Buledi, a spokesperson for the Balochistan government, told The Express Tribune that efforts to resolve the issue were currently underway.

“PML-N legislators have been offended due to a misunderstanding with the provincial government,” Buledi said, adding that he expected the issue would reach an amicable conclusion soon.

Buledi denied the chief minister was meddling in various ministries and departments, and said the latter had been unable to discuss PML-N legislators’ grievances since he was in Gwadar on an official visit when they were first raised.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 10^th, 2014.