QUETTA, Mar 02 (NNI): Pakistan People’s Party’s (PPP) Mir Sarfraz Bugti was sworn in as Chief Minister of Balochistan on Saturday.
Governor Abdul Wali Kakar administered him oath in a ceremony attended by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari at the Governor House Quetta.
Earlier today, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) candidate Mir Sarfraz Bugti was elected as Chief Minister of Balochistan.
The joint candidate of PPP and PML-N Sarfraz Bugti bagged 41 votes in Balochistan assembly session whereas JUI-F and National Party did not take part in election of CM Balochistan.
It is noteworthy that Sarfaraz Bugti assumed the role of chief minister unopposed, as no voting was conducted due to the absence of nomination papers submission from other parties.
Sarfraz Bugti, who served as former caretaker interior minister, submitted four nomination papers for Balochistan’s chief minister’s slot to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) office.
PPP and PML-N had jointly nominated Sarfraz Bugti as their candidate for the top slot of the leader of the house in line with the formula decided to form government at federal level and coalition government in Balochistan.
“I am thankful to President Asif Ali Zardari, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, my party PPP, and the people of Dera Bugti who allowed me to serve the people of Balochistan,” he said in a social media post. “May Allah guide me and help me to do justice with this heavy responsibility.”
Meanwhile, the newly-elected Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti Saturday reaffirmed the provincial government’s plan to continue engaging in dialogue with those involved in armed insurgency.
Bugti extended the olive branch to dissidents in his victory speech after being elected as the province’s chief executive.
“Deterrence and dialogue are the two options that the government has to address the [law and order] situation in Balochistan,” he said while calling on armed groups to join the mainstream politics and play their role in the province’s development.
The chief minister, in his speech, urged the Baloch insurgents to continue their struggle while adhering to the Constitution of Pakistan, stressing that there will be no compromise on the state’s writ. He noted that those fighting for their “rights” can only achieve their goals via the parliamentary route and not armed struggle.
Expressing gratitude to those who voted for him, including the opposition parties, Bugti underscored that the fact that the speaker, deputy speaker and the leader of the house were elected “unopposed” has given a “message of consensus” at a time when the province is going through difficult times.
Commenting on the PPP’s role as a party that represents the federation, Bugti claimed that it is only the Bilawal Bhutto-led party that can address and solve the crises that have gripped the country.
“I have faith that Asif Ali Zardari will steer the country out of the crises,” Bugti said while stressing the need for reconciliatory politics in present times.
Terming governance, terrorism and climate change as the leading issues faced by the province, the chief minister went on to provide a roadmap with regard to the government’s strategy to tackle these challenges.
On the issue of governance, Bugti stressed that the legislators and the province’s bureaucracy need to own up and not blame others for their shortcomings.
“How long will we blame other people?” he questioned during his speech.
Announcing the enforcement of an emergency in the education sector, the CM reassured that his government would give a comprehensive plan of action with regard to reforms to improve the province’s education system.
Bugti submitted his nomination papers for the slot of chief minister on Friday after the PPP and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had jointly nominated him as their candidate for the leader of the house.
Interestingly, no other lawmaker filed nomination papers; making PPP candidate’s victory certain. NNI
