Syed Ali Shah:
Deadlock persists between Chief Minister Balochistan, Mir Quddus Bizenjo and the Jamiat ul Ulema e Islam (JUI) over important portfolios in the cabinet. The religious party has decided to join the Bizenjo-led coalition government in the province.
CM Bizenjo and JUI F Balochistan Chief and federal minister, Maulana Abdul Wasey have held three meetings in this regard. “Deadlock persists as the JUI wants to get A category portfolios”, a well-placed source within the Balochistan government told Daily Quetta Voice. He requested anonymity to avoid further controversy.
Bizenjo held three meetings with Maulana Wasey
Mr. Bizenjo visited the residence of Maulana Wasey and the two held a one-on-one meeting to pave the way for the joining of the religious party. However, no breakthrough was made as the religious party sticks to the implementation of the charter of demand.
“The CM sent a letter to the JUI F provincial chief to review the party’s charter of demand”, a lawmaker from the party told this scribe. He however mentioned that his party returned the letter and made it clear that it will not accept any amendment in this respect.
“Portfolios would not be snatched from ministers”, Khetran
Soon after the CM’s meeting with the JUI F provincial chief, the spokesman of the ruling Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), Sardar Abdul Rehman Khetran issued a statement and said, “portfolios would not be snatched from any minister”. This further jeopardized the ongoing talks between the Bizenjo government and JUI.
The religious party has already put ousting the Pakistan Tehrik e Insaf (PTI) ministers as a key condition for joining the government. The party has 12 lawmakers in the house of 65 and wants important portfolios in the coalition government.
Also Read No confidence motion: CM Bizenjo calls on Maulana Wasey
Mr. Bizenjo is in troubled waters as all ministers have announced to resist any move with regard to the withdrawal of portfolios from them. Bizenjo has left for Islamabad to have a consultation with key BAP leaders including Chairman Senate Mir Sadiq Sanjrani in this regard, the Balochistan government source said.
It may be mentioned here that the JUI F and BNP Mengal had played a key role in the success of the no-confidence motion against the former CM Jam Kamal Khan in October 2021.
