QUETTA: Parliamentary leaders of the PML-N and PPP on Friday firmly rejected speculation about a change in Balochistan’s chief minister, calling Senator Mir Dostain Khan Domki’s claims baseless. They said Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti continued to enjoy the full confidence of all coalition partners, and no proposal for his replacement had been discussed at any level.
PML-N parliamentary leader and provincial minister Mir Saleem Khosa, speaking to reporters after the Balochistan Assembly session, said Domki’s remarks appeared to stem from personal disagreements rather than party policy. He added that the province was dealing with serious law and order and governance challenges, which were reviewed in an in-camera briefing, and that political distractions were unhelpful. Khosa said he had spoken with National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, who would likely seek clarification from Domki for issuing a statement without party approval.
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Khosa emphasised that internal differences were normal but must not translate into statements contradicting party positions. He reiterated that CM Bugti was performing “efficiently and tirelessly” and that the coalition government, including the PML-N, stood firmly behind him. Despite external threats and persistent instability, he said the situation in Balochistan was gradually improving.
PPP parliamentary leader Mir Muhammad Sadiq Umrani also dismissed Domki’s claim, stressing that Bugti enjoyed the unwavering support of the PPP leadership. He said only the party leadership could make decisions about PPP policy or power-sharing arrangements. Umrani added that the PPP had already decided that Bugti would continue as chief minister, and he reaffirmed that the next two and a half years of the coalition setup also belonged to the PPP.
Umrani, who has been part of the PPP for 53 years, said internal political rumours were common but held no weight unless endorsed by the central leadership. He reiterated that Bugti’s position was secure and that coalition stability remained the priority.
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