QUETTA:
Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) leader Mir Abdul Qudoos sworn in as the new chief minister of Balochistan in a simple but solemn swearing-in ceremony held at the Governor House, Quetta on Friday.
Balochistan Governor Syed Zahoor Ahmad Agha administered oath to CM Bizenjo.
A large number of people from different walks of life including Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar, National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri, members of National and provincial assemblies, leaders and workers of various political parties were present on the occasion.
The development came a day after his political rival, PTI’s parliamentary leader Sardar Yar Mohammad Rind, announced to pull out of the race.
The election for the Leader of the House took place in the Balochistan Assembly session at 10am today as per rules.
Acting Speaker Babar Musa Khel said that 39 votes were cast in favour of Bizenjo. No member from the opposition benches registered their vote as they did not take part in the electoral process.
Awami National Party’s (ANP) MPA from Balochistan Asghar Khan Achakzai congratulated Bizenjo on his election as provincial chief executive and hoped that both could work together.
“Abdul Qaddos Bizenjo was elected Chief Minister with 39 votes. 23 members of BAP and six of PTI voted for him,” he said, adding that three members of the ANP, two members of HDP and two members of BNP Awami League also voted for him. One vote each from PPP, Jamhoori Watan Party and one independent member added to Bizenjo’s vote count.
According to reports, former chief minister Jam Kamal did not take part in the voting process. Malik Naeem Baazi of the ANP could not cast his vote as he was late to the assembly. Babar Musa Khel of PTI did not participate in the voting as he had to preside over a meeting at the time.
Read All set for Bizenjo to become CM as Kamal buries hatchet
Yar Muhammad Rind also congratulated Bizenjo on his victory saying that he was fortunate to become the leader of the house.
“We have not sat with Jam Kamal for the last three years,” he said, “If Jam Sahib is not present in the House today then I will not talk about him. I pray for Jam Sahib.”
Rind further advised Bizenjo to “stay away from the people who brought Jam Kamal to this place”. “I will support you till the end,” Rind asserted.
On October 24, former provincial chief executive Jam Kamal resigned as the chief minister, a day before the provincial assembly was to convene a voting for a no-confidence motion against him.
“Jam Kamal Khan has submitted his resignation to the Governor of Balochistan Syed Zahoor Ahmad Agha,” a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson read. The resignation was accepted by the governor, it added.
Before Kamal submitted his resignation, a meeting was held at the CM’s House.Taking to Twitter before stepping down, Kamal wrote that he had given his “utmost time and energy” for the province’s governance and development despite “many deliberate political hindrances”.
“I would rather leave respectfully and not be part of their monetary agenda and bad governance formulation,” he said, in an apparent reference to the disgruntled group comprising members of his own Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) and allies, who were demanding his resignation.
