QUETTA:  A score of members of the Balochistan Assembly across the political divided had defended the change of Government in Balochistan and rejected all speculations and comments that any Federal party had played any role in regime change.

Talking to media persons at a luncheon hosted in their honour by Mir Faiq Jamali at his residence, they claimed that an ethnic party made the Government and the former Chief Minister hostage during the entire tenure.

They thought that it was the main cause of revolt against the previous Government headed by Nawab Sanaullah Zehri. The Government had ignored the legitimate demands and rights of the Members as the ethnic party ruled supreme in the coalition Government, the members claimed.

They also rejected the role of any Federal party in Balochistan politics saying that they would contest the next general election under the banner of a ‘unified Muslim League’ or any of the PML faction.

“We are not going to join a central based political party” burying the rumours that certain members of the Balochistan Assembly are going to join the Pakistan People’s Party.

The highly vocal people spoke at length claiming that more than Rs 15 billion fund from the Federal Government and around Rs 20 billion from the provincial Government had lapsed for which they blamed the ethnic party for maladministration, inefficiency and corruption.

Among those who spoke on the occasion included Prince Ahmed Ali, Sardar Mohammad Saleh Bhootani, Mir Jan Mohammad Jamali, Haji Mohammad Khan Lehri, Sarfraz Bugti, Anwarul Haq Kakar, Ghulam Dastagir Badini, Haji Akbar Askani, Mir Aamir Rind, Tahir Mahmood and Mir Faiq Jamali.

They argued that there were some adverse comments on the recent developments in Balochistan and after consultation, they had decided to responds to those comments and speculation in a collective manner to dispel all impressions and misgivings in an appropriate manner and at a joint news conference, Mr. Anwarul Haq Kakar said.

He said that members belonging to PML-N, PML-Q, ANP, BNP Mengal, BNP Awami, JUI-F and independent members of the Assembly had unanimously agreed that the Provincial Government had failed in defending the legitimate rights of Balochistan and its people. The process of development had stopped causing a sharp sense of deprivation, Anwarul Haq Kakar said.

“We have informed the Federal Government in advance, the central Government took no notice to it,” another MPA told the media persons, he added. He said that they had taken the step in the greater interest of the people of Balochistan.

Mr. Kakar said that the new Government had taken a serious notice to the recent recruitments made in the Provincial Information Department where the political constituents were given jobs violating merit. However, the Government would take notice following a verdict from a court of law, he added.

He declared that all the Muslim League candidates would take part in the June elections from a single platform and “Our Government would ensure fair and free elections in future. He rejected the campaign that the man got 500 votes and made the Chief Minister.

Sardar Mohammad Saleh Bhootani, a former caretaker Chief Minister, said that it was unfair that the Asian Development Bank fund were used in building roads in Balochistan and unfairly given the name or credit to CPEC.

He said that the Government had failed to explain the CPEC and its objectives in Balochistan. He was of the view that the most important route is the Western Route on which the Government is yet to start the work.

He demanded more industrial estates and providing clean drinking water to the residents of Gwadar.

Mir Jan Mohammad Jamali, another former Chief Minister, said that the Government should hold a judicial inquiry in mis-use of public and development funds. He demanded that the Government should allocate Senate seats to districts and he called for support from the political parties operating on national level. Mr. Jamali said that Balochistan, FATA and KPK given a bad name where the Members are selling their votes in the Senate elections.

Mir Jan Mohammad Jamali advised the Chief Minister to act with a lightning speed to resolve problems of the people.

Prince Ahmed Ali claimed that Rs 15 billion from the Federal funds and Rs 20 billion from the Provincial funds lapsed every year and the Government could not utilized it.

Mr. Zamruk Khan, Deputy Opposition Leader, had defended the right they used to table a no confidence motion against the former Chief Minister. He said he had moved a privileged motion after a former Minister leveled charges of buying and selling of votes. He said that they would seek collective action on this wild charge from the PMAP MPA.

Mr. Saeed Hashmi, a Muslim League stalwart, said that the Government is ignoring Balochistan in case of revenue from Sui Gas and mineral wealth. He said that the CPEC had not been explained as what it meant and represent and how Balochistan will benefit from the CPEC.

Mr. Hashmi claimed that he suggested to the former Chief Minister to take Members along and he could not understand his point till there was a change within the house.