Patching up: Balochistan CM cajoles PML-N back to work

Dr Abdul Malik assures angry ministers of ‘equal treatment’.

QUETTA:

It’s business as usual for PML-N’s ministers and advisers in Balochistan as they withdrew their resignations following a meeting with Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch.

After a trip to the federal capital, the CM proceeded straight to a meeting with the PML-N ministers, advisers and MPAs in order to address their reservations regarding certain administrative issues.

“The ministers and advisers will attend their offices as usual from Thursday,” PML-N Balochistan chapter chief Nawab Sanaullah Zehri told the media during a joint news conference with Dr Malik late on Wednesday at the CM Secretariat.

The PML-N enjoys a majority in the Balochistan Assembly, with the PML-Q’s backing. Their ministers lodged complaints earlier in the week saying the chief minister was sidelining them with regards to development projects, transfers and postings in the province. A scheduled cabinet meeting on Monday was cancelled as the party announced a boycott.



Zehri confirmed that the CM has assuaged the ministers’ concerns, saying there would be greater coordination in the future. “We have decided to work together for the prosperity of the province,” the CM said, adding, “The PML-N, Pukhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) and National Party enjoy equal powers in the cabinet and the problem occurred due to a lack of coordination.”

The chief minister said transparency is the government’s ‘top priority’, saying, “We respect the PML-N’s mandate and will provide them with an equal opportunity to work for the people of Balochistan.”

“We are thankful to the CM, who has heard our grievances and assured us that such problems will not occur in the future,” Zehri said, adding, “The PML-N backs the provincial government and we will work together.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 20^th, 2014.