A months-long political impasse came to an end after a new 14-member Balochistan cabinet took oath in Quetta. On October 29, Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) leader Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo had already taken oath as the new Balochistan chief minister after the resignation of Jam Kamal Khan Alyani. All political parties in the province, including the PPP, JUI-F, BNP-Mengal and even ruling BAP’s majority members had demanded Alyani’s resignation. The crisis started in June this year when opposition members started protest against the government led by Alyani for its refusal to allocate development funds for their constituencies in the budget. The protest had led to mayhem and police had later booked 17 opposition lawmakers in connection with the incident. It resulted into the filing of a no-trust motion against Alyani who resigned himself to save his honour.
At this juncture the formation of a new government in Balochistan seems a far cry as political wrangling is going on among politicians who are hankering after their interests. However, these political tussles among the political parties in no way are in the national interest. The masses bear the brunt of these political games. If mainstream political parties continue to quarrel over formation of government, it will create more anarchy in the country. Only a democratic and representative system can promise the protection of the basic rights of citizens. All political parties should join hands for strengthening democracy and addressing the common issues that the most backward province of the country has been facing.
The history of Balochistan since Pakistan’s independence is marked with repression and resistance. The Baloch people have been facing victimisation and the abuse of their basic rights for decades. It will be a great challenge for the new government to engage Baloch leadership in talks to move towards bringing an end to the years’ long insurgency and make the Baloch people partners in the development of the largest province in area and important strategic location of the country.
