Nominee for top post: Hasil Bizenjo - PML-N ally and troubleshooter

QUETTA:

In the topsy-turvy world of parliamentary politics, PML-N’s nominee for the post of Senate chairman Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo has acquired the reputation of a troubleshooter.

He was born on February 3, 1958 into a family that has played a significant role in Balochistan’s politics. His father, Mir Ghous Baksh Bizenjo, was a nationalist leader known for his peaceful struggle to attain Baloch people’s rights within the framework of Pakistan.

Hailing from backward Nal Valley of Khuzdar, central Balochistan, Hasil started his political career from Pakistan National Party (PNP) – then headed by his brother Mir Bizen Bizenjo – and was elected MNA in the 1990 elections from his home constituency.

Hasil was once again elected from the same constituency as MNA in 1997 polls; this time on the ticket of Sardar Attaullah Mengal-led Balochistan National Party.

However, he later joined one of the BNP splinter groups, Balochistan National Democratic Party, which later in 2003 merged with National Party (NP), then led by Dr Abdul Hayee Baloch.

Hasil was recently elected president of the party, which heads the coalition government in Balochistan.

His party, the NP, had boycotted the general elections of 2008 in protest against the Balochistan situation. Yet, in 2009, he was elected as a senator – which reflects his stature as a respected nationalist politician.

In the March 5 Senate elections, Bizenjo was reelected as senator after securing 10 votes.

According to a senior NP leader, Bizenjo is a loyal friend of Prime Minister Nawaz since 1990, when he was first elected as a lawmaker in the lower house. He also enjoys widespread support from the Pakistani establishment, which regards him as a trouble-shooter

“The issues of enforced disappearances, recovery of mutilated bodies and law and order in Balochistan are the most important questions that need to be immediately addressed,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 8^th, 2015.