PML-N, allies agree to counter ‘undemocratic’ moves in Balochistan

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GEO NEWS
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Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and its political allies National Party and Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party agreed on Thursday to fight against all ‘undemocratic’ and ‘unconstitutional’ action in Balochistan. Photo: Geo News screen grab
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LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and its political allies National Party and Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party agreed on Thursday to fight against all ‘undemocratic’ and ‘unconstitutional’ action in Balochistan.

The decision was made during a high-level meeting — presided over by PML-N president Nawaz Sharif — between the representatives of the three parties at Jati Umra. The participants remarked that they will not accept the decisions made by a few people over the decision of the people.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz president Nawaz Sharif presided over the meeting held at his Jati Umra residence earlier today. Photo: Geo News

The meeting was attended by PM Azad Jammu and Kashmir Raja Farooq Haider, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Nawaz’s daughter Maryam Nawaz, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, Minister for States and Frontier Regions Abdul Qadir Baloch, Minister for Maritime Affairs Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo and Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai, among others.

The meeting discussed in detail the no-confidence motion against former Balochistan CM Nawab Sanaullah Zehri last week.

Zehri was forced to resign following a no-confidence motion against him which was supported by some PML-N members. Following the movement, Abdul Quddus Bizenjo, who hails from the PML-Quaid, was elected as the new chief minister.

The participants remarked that Balochistan is the province where political stability was needed the most. Once the stability was achieved through a reconciliation process, political turmoil was brought in overnight.

During the meeting, the MPAs from Balochistan shared that the movement was held without bringing it into the notice of the parliamentarians. Those involved in the movement never mentioned that they were unhappy under the leadership of the former CM, pointed out the participants.

The need for organising this movement mere four to five months before the general elections was also questioned. The participants also inquired when, where and how the decision to elect a new CM made.

Some members claimed that electing a person who secured a few 100 votes goes against the spirit of democracy.

Meeting participants said that such actions went against the democratic rights of the people of Balochistan, adding that this is an insult to the rights given to the people in the Constitution 

Nawaz chairs party meeting at Jati Umra 

Earlier in the day, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif presided over a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) meeting at Jati Umra. Photo: Geo News screen grab
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Earlier in the day, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif presided over a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) meeting at Jati Umra. 

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had arrived in Lahore to attend the meeting. He was received by Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the airport.  

PM Abbasi arrived in Lahore and was received by Punjab CM Shehbaz Sharif. Photo: Geo News 
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Abbasi was accompanied by Federal Minister for Power Awais Leghari, his adviser on finance, revenue, and economic affairs Miftah Ismail, and Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Marriyum Aurangzeb. 

Others attending the meeting include Nawaz's daughter Maryam, Senator Pervaiz Rasheed and Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique.  

'Balochistan CM issue a disservice to democracy'

On January 16, Nawaz Sharif, while speaking to the media outside the accountability court, remarked: "the Balochistan political issue needs to be taken seriously.

"This is a sick joke with the people," said the PML-N president, adding that he has summoned a meeting with the party's Baloch leadership on Thursday to find out why this happened.

The PML-N chief wondered how a person with 500 votes became the chief minister, adding that "this is a disservice to democracy, Pakistan and its people".

Last week, the PML-N government in Balochistan was rocked with a crisis as Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri was forced to resign following a no-confidence motion against him which was supported by some PML-N members.

The new chief minister, Abdul Quddus Bizenjo, hails from the PML-Quaid and bagged the 2013 election from Awaran District with around 550 votes due to a boycott by the separatists. 

PM, Shehbaz meet Nawaz 

On January 15, the PM had arrived in Lahore after which he called on Nawaz at Jati Umra along with Shehbaz on a helicopter.

Sources said the meeting saw discussions on the country's political situation, party affairs and strategy for the upcoming elections, among other issues.

Sources said that later, Federal Railways Minister Saad Rafique joined the meeting, where the party leaders also discussed their plan to deal with the joint opposition protest happening a day later.