KARACHI: President PPPP Asif Ali Zardari has said that the change in Balochistan government through a democratic process was the manifestation of political maturity of people of Balochistan and their elected representatives. This he said while talking to the Chief Minister of Balochistan and his cabinet member in the reception the Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah hosted for them here at the CM House this evening. He said that the Balochistan assembly brought a change in their government through a proper democratic process and did not allow the democratic system derailed. “I congratulate the chief minister and his cabinet and also congratulate the people of Balochistan for supporting democratic system,” he said. The former President said that it has been the tradition of PPP to support the rights of people of smaller province. Giving reference of his tenure as President of Pakistan, he said that he launched Aghaz-e-Hukooke Balochistan programme, gave NFC award with multiple criteria which provided substantial benefit to the people of Balochistan in terms of their share in the divisible pool. He went on saying he gave identification to Pakhtun brothers by renaming their province as Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa and worked to create Southern Province for the people of Siraiki belt of the Punjab. “I used to meet all of you, listened to your problems of and tried to solve them,” he said. He said that the province of Balochistan is rich in mineral resources. The people of Balochistan are sensible, politically awaken and are keen to reap the fruits of democracy. “We have to work together for the prosperity of Balochistan and its people,” he said. The chief minister of Balochistan, Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo thanked Sindh chief minister Syed Murad Ali Shah for hosting a reception for him and his cabinet and he provided them n opportunity to meet PPPP President Asif Ali Zardari. He said that he was thankful to the former President, Asif Ali Zardari, Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah for welcoming the democratic change in the Balochistan government and also congratulated him as a new chief minister of Balochistan and his cabinet members on taking oath as provincial ministers. “You are politically sagacious and a true democratic leader in the country who knows the art how to keep the democracy on the track though whatever situation there may be,” he said addressing Asif Ali Zardari. He appreciated the PPP leadership and people of Sindh for their moral support and good wishes for the new Balochistan government. The chief minister appreciated Sindh Industries Minister Manzoor Hussain Wassan for seeing a true dream of change in Balochistan government. Published in Daily Times, January 26th 2018.