PM Shehbaz steps in to calm frayed nerves of BAP

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday formed a committee to address the reservations of the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) following the latter’s announcement regarding its boycott of the budget session today to register its protest over it called the failure of the federal government to release funds for the development of the southwestern province, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The prime minister constituted the body as a BAP delegation headed by Senate Chairman Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani called on him in Islamabad.

The committee would comprise Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, Khalid Hussain Magsi, Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidari, Agha Hassan Baloch, Ishaq Dar, Ahsan Iqbal, Dr Musadik Malik, Azam Nazeer Tarar and Manzoor Kakar.

The prime minister tasked the committee to hold a detailed consultation and present him a report within a week.

In the meeting, the BAP decided to take part in the budget session and extend its full support to the government.

The prime minister said that being an important coalition partner, the BAP played a key role in every decision-making of the government.

He said the Balochistan’s development could not be carried out without BAP’s input and that the country’s progress was linked with that of Balochistan province.

The Senate chairman appreciated the prime minister for his keen interest and special measures for the uplift of Balochistan.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, BAP Parliamentary Leader Khalid Hussain Magsi and Senator Naseebullah Bazai also attended the meeting.

Earlier, BAP Central President Chief Minister Abdul Qudus Bizenjo directed party Members of National Assembly and Senators not to participate in the federal budget and announced the boycott of the budget session.

He said that disciplinary action would be taken against the party MNAs and Senators who violated the order, warning that they would be de-seated.

He said despite assurances, Balochistan was not being given its constitutional right, hence the province was facing a number of problems.

“The federal government makes promises and gives assurances but they are not implemented,” Chief Minister Bizenjo rued.

He said that the PPL had not been paying their dues for many years which had reached more than Rs45 billion.

The PPL operation is going on in Sui gas field without any agreement, he said adding that the federal government was holding the administrative control of the PPL.

Balochistan projects included in the federal PSDP were facing delay due to the non-availability of funds, the chief minister said alleging that funds meant for the province were being diverted to somewhere else.

 

Reporter Isa Tareen