ISLAMABAD: Trying to put an end to the controversy surrounding the appointment and subsequent resignation of Dr Arsalan Iftikhar as vice chairman of the Balochistan Board of Investment (BIB), the province's chief minister said on Saturday he had no regrets on the appointment’s annulment.
Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Malik Baloch, accompanied by National Party’s senior vice president Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo in a press conference at the Balochistan House in Islamabad, on Saturday said that the federal government was not involved in the appointment Dr Arsalan Iftikhar.
Baloch added that through the appointment, he wanted the Iftikhar family to keep its long connection with Balochistan intact. “I’ve known Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry for a very long time.”
“I wanted that relation of the family to remain with Balochistan,” the chief minister said explaining his reasons behind the appointment of the former chief justice of Pakistan’s son.
Bizenjo agreed that the appointment did not have popular support and said that they had no regrets taking it back. But he added that “undemocratic forces” were deliberately making it a point to raise the issue even after it had ended.
The party vice president also said that he was thankful to journalists and particularly the people on social media for voicing their concern.
Balochistan crisis
Bizenjo while explaining the continuous attacks on Shia pilgrims said that both the provincial and federal governments had allowed subsidised aerial transport from Quetta to Mashad for the safety of the pilgrims.
Regarding the Taftan attack, he said that most of the pilgrims had not informed the authorities about their travel and they came under attack on the last checkpoint on the Iranian border which had not been attacked before.
Bizenjo further said that the government of Balochistan accepted the Protection of Pakistan Bill and it was the need of the house which was developed by consensus.
COMMENTS (19)
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Mr. Tanwir Syed...Appointment of Arsalan is a very minor issue against the Lahore Model Town Carnage. If CM Punjab didn't resign, should the CM Balochistan consider his resignation for such a minor issue as compared to the Lahore Carnage.
Mr Malik might not have any regrets, but Arsalan and his father sure do, judging from the way Arsalan is managing to appear daily on talk shows and Iftikhar serving notice to IK.
Let Baloch people decide them self,
Another CM of Balochistan would have said...'Appointment Appointment hotee hay, nepotism walee ho ya merit walee'
@janderbari - malikpur: Sir, you are comparing a "Family trust" to irreplaceable historic "National treasure" that need time-tested know-how & "clear glass" like character. Also the relatives' postings you mentioned above don't require professional experience & solid educational qualifications. Look again please!
I don't see any reason to offer an honorary position to anybody. Gents, come on.... this is Pakistan and in our country many things happening. Why don't you see Pervez Khattak brought his entire family in govt, Asad Qasir, Azam Swati, Imran Khan placed entire family in Sh Khanum project and so on... therefore before criticizing other look into your own neck.... easy to abuse others but when other point out hard to bear.....!
Sharamnaak Mr Malik. Least expected from you and your party and even worst is taking the toll for this disastrous decision on somebody else's behalf.
Arsalan Iftikhar is going bonkers on TV programs these days. Thank you Dr. Malik for the nepotism.
Publicly confessing to nepotism and saying he has no regrets. Yes this is PAKISTAN folks !
Nevermind the nepotism, hiring someone whose integrity is still in question ( pending the announcement of the judgement of his case) is by far the most negligent, criminal action a person of authority could have taken. I am sure in a country with justice and rule of law this chief minister would have found himself in hot waters despite the ammendment later on.
One might construe that as payoff for CJ's Reko Dig suo moto intervention. In hindsight that intervention might well cost Baluchistan/Pakistan several Billion dollars.
Now CM admitted that he appointed a person against Pakistan law he must resign from his post
i think a suitable qualified person who has got some business degree with good experience would have been more suitable instead of this connection to a province which is no good for the people of balochistan or pakistan
What a stupid argument given in favour of Arsalan Iftikhar. No wonder why we have reached to a stage where merit is no where to be seen.
An honorary post does not have to merit-based, but alas fanatically pro-IK media (IK btw is pro-Taliban who has time and again defended them even after they bomb civillians) will obiously not care and just parrot IK's stance. Thankfully Tribune has at least remained neutral unlike certain outlets which claimed that Iftikhar Chaudry was conspiring to rig the election based on the mere fact he gave an exclusive interview to "a certain media outlet" namely Geo.
In my business days... I used to be approached by numerous relatives & friend to hire their favorites on above-mentioned basis. I only did so if they fits merit standard too. My businesses were the most respected, successful and longest lasting in its type & class. I wouldn't hire a shepherd if he is not qualified... I care for my lambs.
What an argument. To keep connection of Chaudhry family with Balochistan alive we made him VC Board of Investment. Why didn't u offer him CMShip Mr CM?. He would have served Balochistan better that way.