What’s next in Balochistan after Jam Kamal’s resignation?

After the weeks of a political tussle in Balochistan, Jam Kamal Khan stepped down from his post on Sunday after disgruntled members of the ruling BAP tabled a no-confidence motion against the CM.

CM Jam Kamal tendered his resignation to the Balochistan Governor after talks at a meeting held at the Governor House.

Background of the tussle:

Troubles began for Jam Kamal Aylani when 24 opposition MPAs belonging to the JUI-F and Balochistan National Party (BNP-Mengal) filed a vote of no trust against him on September 14.

Later, within a week, the chief minister lost further ground when 12 members of his own party, Balochistan Awami Party had demanded his resignation. The opposition members and the lawmakers from his own party, BAP, alleged that Kamal was not taking them into confidence over major issues regarding the province.

However, those privy to the developments say that one major reason behind the resignation of the chief minister was that dissident MPAs, and some founding members of BAP, complained that Jam Kamal had been disregarding the elected members in allocating developmental funds and interfering in their constituencies with regard to transfer and postings of government officials.

They also accused Khan of miserably failing to maintain law and order in the province.

Kamal’s efforts to save his chief ministership: 

Following the political turmoil in the province, Jam Kamal become active to save his chief ministership by trying to resolve the grievances raised by the lawmakers, for which he formed a negotiation committee too, but all failed. Kamal also sought the centre’s help and met PM Imran Khan, Chairman Senate, Sadiq Sanjrani and others, who assured them of their full support.

But the issue was too much hyped and the disgruntled MPAs of the BAP refused to leave their stance and were solid as a rock on their demand of Aylani’s resignation. 

Though Kamal was optimistic that he will convince the lawmakers and had been saying that he will not step down and will fight the no-confidence move, but just a day before the voting on the motion, he tendered his resignation blaming the lawmakers for it.

The ‘missing’ MPAs

On Friday, opposition members had claimed that three female and one male MPAs had gone missing because they had signed the no-confidence motion against Jam Kamal.

The four MPAs had gone missing on the day when the angry group with the support of the opposition parties tabled the no-confidence motion in the Balochistan Assembly on Oct 20.

They later surfaced in Islamabad, claiming there had no foul play. The MPAs, Akbar Askani, Bushra Rind, Laila Tareen and Mahjabeen Sheran, returned to Quetta in the official plane of the Balochistan government.

With the return of four ‘missing’ MPAs and their announcement of support for angry lawmakers of the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), success of the no-trust motion against Khan could not be ruled out as Nawab Sanaullah Zehri also joined hands with the disgruntled group.

Speaker Balochistan Assembly resigns

Following the resignation of Jam Kamal from the post of chief ministership, Abdul Quddus Bizenjo, the speaker of the Balochistan Assembly, has also resigned from his post.

A day earlier, Jam Kamal Khan had resigned from the post of CM. Following his announcement, disgruntled members of the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) and the Opposition — who had gathered at Bizenjo’s residence, celebrated their triumph by flashing a victory sign.

What’s next?

The United Opposition has now decided to nominate Abdul Quddus Bizenjo as the new chief minister. BAP interim president Zahoor Ahmed Buledi confirmed the development shortly after Bizenjo resigned from his post as the speaker. Buledi said that he would also consult other coalition parties over the selection of a new leader of the House.

On the other hand, Khetran said all the coalition parties have nominated Bizenjo as the next chief minister. He said that consultations are underway with the PTI for the formation of a government. “We invite everyone to work together for the betterment of Balochistan,” he said.

He further said that the last three years have passed and now they want to work together for the future of the province.