Quetta (January 09, 2018): Balochistan Chief Minister (CM) Nawab Sanaullah Zehri has on Tuesday decided to step down from his office upon Prime Minister (PM) Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s advice. The assembly session is now likely to be postponed after Zehri’s decision.
According to sources, the premier advised Sanaullah Zehri to resign after consulting with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif to avoid horse-trading and dispute within the party.
The CM will hold an important press conference shortly in which he will present his viewpoint.
Click Play Button To Watch This Video
Chief Minister Zehri is expected to tender his resignation at the Governor House following his meeting with Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai.
It is worth mentioning here that a no-trust motion against Balochistan Chief Minister was scheduled to be presented in the assembly today where members had started to arrive.
Earlier, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi advised Balochitsan Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri to resign in light of the no-confidence motion to be taken up against him in the provincial assembly on Tuesday.
According to sources, PM Abbasi advised the chief minister to resign to control the political situation in the province after realizing the on-ground situation following his trip to Quetta. The prime minister has also taken notice of the role of provincial lawmakers in the situation.
The prime minister travelled to Quetta as a no-confidence motion against Zehri gained momentum and was said to have the support of majority lawmakers of the assembly, leading to fears of the chief minister’s removal from office.
Meanwhile, Balochistan Opposition Leader Maulana Wasay said it will be better if the chief minister accedes to the prime minister’s advice.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), which has a government both in the centre and the province, had earlier stepped up efforts to defuse the ongoing political crisis.
Zehri requires the support of 33 members from a house of 65 to dismiss the motion, expected to be taken up in the assembly session today at 4pm.
Pakhtunkhawa Milli Awami Party, the ruling party’s ally in the province, has 14 seats in the assembly, while National Party has 11 seats.
On the other hand, parties supporting the motion, including Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid and Balochistan National Party have four and two seats, respectively.
Ten disgruntled PML-N lawmakers are also said to be supporting the no-confidence motion.
Jamiat-Ulema-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), which has eight seats, remains tilted towards the motion as well despite being allied the PML-N in the centre.
Talking to the media around 1pm on Tuesday, JUI-F’s Maulana Abdul Wassay said they have the support of 41 MPAs and hope their motion will succeed today.
Prime Minister Abbasi arrived in Quetta on Monday and presided over a meeting of members of coalition parties in the Balochistan government.
Abbasi held consultations over the no-confidence motion against Zehri.
Federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Zahid Hamid, Abdul Qadir Baloch and Aviation Adviser Sardar Mehtab Abbasi State Minister for Petroleum Jam Kamal accompanied the prime minister on the occasion.
Abbasi also held meetings with the governor and chief minister of Balochistan.
Opposition Leader in the Provincial Assembly, Maulana Abdul Wasay, said on Monday that the Balochistan governor, in a bid to convince him, offered to arrange a meeting between him and the prime minister.
Wasay, however, said that he would not sail in two boats at the same time.
Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) lawmaker Abdul Quddus Bizenjo has claimed that as many as 40 legislators will vote for the no-confidence motion against Zehri.
Bizenjo said that PML-N leader Changez Marri has also rendered his support for the no-confidence motion.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Balochistan chief minister said on Monday that those claiming to have the support of 40 MPAs could not gather more than 20 legislators at their recently held dinner meeting.
Zehri has reportedly said that he will fight against the no-confidence motion and will prove his support in the house.
The no-confidence motion, which was submitted by Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo and Syed Agha Raza on January 2, was signed by a total of 14 parliamentarians.
Related News:
Zehri Contacts Nawaz, Discusses Political Crises in Balochistan
