BAP battle shifts from Quetta to Islamabad
Syed Ali Shah :
QUETTA: The political battle within the ruling Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) shifted from Quetta to Islamabad on Wednesday. Chief Minister Balochistan, Jam Kamal Khan, and angry BAP members reached Islamabad as the political battle entered into a decisive phase. The political crisis widened when Jam Kamal Khan withdrew his decision of resignation as BAP President in the aftermath of the appointment of Zahoor Buledi as an acting president.
The ruling party’s angry members led by former finance minister Mir Zahoor Buledi called on federal defense minister Pervez Khattak. “We apprised the minister about our grievances”, Mr. Buledi told Quetta Voice. Speaker Balochistan Assembly Qudoo Bizenjo and other members were also present on the occasion.
The angry members have demanded of Prime Minister Imran Khan to intervene and solve the prevailing political crisis in Balochistan. The angry members’ delegation is also trying to meet the premier to apprise him about their grievances.
Jam Kamal Khan also reach Islamabad
Chief Minister Balochistan, Jam Kamal Khan has also reached Islamabad on Wednesday evening. The CM held a series of meetings in Quetta and flew to Islamabad to counter the angry members.
“The news of my resignation is wrong and fake”, CM Balochistan tweeted late at night. Some people are involved in this propaganda, he added. In another tweet, he said every day they (referring to angry members) are bringing a new leader and candidate for the CM ship.
“The CM enjoys the support of the majority of the members”, Senator Anwar ul Haq Kakar told Quetta Voice. He said the government was in contact with the angry members and a breakthrough would be made very soon.
Both sides are testing their muscles to ensure victory in the political battle for last more than a month now. Serious differences erupted within the ruling party when the joint opposition submitted a no-confidence motion against Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan on September 16. However, the Governor sent back the motion as a result of a technical fault to the assembly secretariat.
Differences surface within BAP on September 16
The battle within the ruling party intensified when three ministers tendered resignations and 14 members submitted a no-confidence motion against the incumbent CM.
Governor Balochistan is constitutionally bound to convene the provincial assembly session within seven days. Four days remain for convening the assembly session by the constitutional head of the province.
