New issues cropping up in Balochistan’s political leadership

ISLAMABAD: As the deadline of year end is approaching for change in the command in political leadership of Balochistan’s administration new issues are cropping up between the ensuing and outgoing leadership.
Incumbent Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch of National Party (NP) has done extremely well in his two years so far while Mir Isarullah Khan Zehri of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senior minister is waiting in his wings for the slot with the advent of next year as per settlement.
Highly placed sources told The News that the members of the provincial assembly of Balochistan belonging to the ruling alliance are confused with regard to change. A delegation of leaders from Balochistan had an important meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif here Wednesday including Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, Senior Minister Mir Isarullah Zehri, Political Secretary to the PM Dr Syed Asif Saeed Kirmani, Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafiq, PM Additional Secretary Fawad Hasan Fawad, Chief Secretary Balochistan Saifullah Chattah, Provincial Minister Jaffar Khan Mandokhail and senior officials.
Highly placed sources told The News that prime minister assured the delegation that he would visit Balochistan soon to discuss law and order situation in the province. He vowed that development of the province was on the top of his agenda and he was determined to rid the sense of deprivation in Balochistan. “I shall be the happiest person if I deliver the needful to the people of Balochistan during my incumbent tenure,” he reiterated. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who chaired the meeting discussed matters relating to Balochistan candidly and the meeting took stock of overall political and law and order situation prevailing in the province.
The resignation of Speaker Provincial Assembly Jan Muhammad Jamali also came up for discussion who has quitted the job. Mir Israrullah Zehri has been assigned the task to designate new speaker with consultations of Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch.
It is expected that the new speaker of the provincial assembly would be picked from the PML-N. The prime minister said that the government was providing requisite funds for development of Balochistan and was taking concrete steps for ensuring peace, security and stability in the province.
Prime Minister Nawaz said that Balochistan would greatly benefit from China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, bringing a wave of prosperity in the province. He hinted that the provincial government would get more share in developmental activities in Gawadar.
In another meeting Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that the government would continue to provide funds for the development of Azad Kashmir, especially for the provision of basic necessities of life. He gave the assurance while talking to Prime Minister of AJK Chaudhry Abdul Majeed, who called on him. He apprised Prime Minister Nawaz of matters relating to the area, especially developmental and public welfare projects.