Daily Times

QUETTA: The rift has widened within the Balochistan coalition government, as 14 lawmakers on Tuesday submitted a no confidence motion against Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri.

As a sign of deepening political crisis, the motion, which was submitted by Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo and Syed Agha Raza, was signed by a total of 14 parliamentarians.

In the motion, the provincial lawmakers mentioned that the resolution was being moved as per “Article 136 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, for a vote of no-confidence against the chief minister, Government of Balochistan”.

The Article 136 (1) of the constitution reads: “A resolution for a vote of no-confidence moved by not less than twenty per centum of the total membership of the Provincial Assembly may be passed against the chief minister by the provincial assembly.”

Under the constitution, a no confidence motion is to be tabled in the House within seven days.

Political observers in the provincial capital have been speaking of differences in the provincial government for quite some time, as several provincial lawmakers are not happy with the working of Chief Minister (CM) Sanaullah Zehri.

It was told that the blockage of funds and pending decision on the deputy speaker added fuel to fire. The opposition parties have also thrown their weight behind the rebel group within the government.

Former deputy speaker Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo claimed that they have the support of simple majority in the 65-member provincial assembly. As many as 53 of the 65 lawmakers in the Balochistan Assembly are part of the government. Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), National Party, PML-Q, JUI-F and MWM are the coalition partners of the government.

The coalition government in Balochistan has three parties, i.e. the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) and National Party (NP). The JUI-F holds eight seats. The BNP-M, ANP and BNP-A are part of the opposition. A total of only 12 members are part of the opposition.

Political observers say that in view of the political developments in the country, there is a possibility of emergence of a new alliance in Balochistan to set up a new government till the formation of a caretaker government before the election. They say the federal government of the PML-N would not like any move for the imposition of governor’s rule before the Senate Elections.

Published in Daily Times, January 3^rd 2018.