QUETTA: Deadlock over formation of the cabinet ended with the induction of 11 new ministers in Balochistan cabinet on Monday. Hereditary politics remained entrenched in the formation of the new cabinet. In the 14 member cabinet, 11 strong tribal chieftains and fuedals were sworn in as ministers. Almost all influential families retained their positions. Governor Balochistan Muhammad Khan Achakzai took oath from 11 ministers belonging to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakhtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) and National Party.
When asked about the presence of more than 80 per cent tribal chieftains in the cabinet, the Chief Minister Balochistan, Dr. Malik Baloch said, “It is not my fault, the names were provided by coalition partners”.
The new ministers include Nawabzada Changaiz Marri, Sardar Sarfaraz Domki, Mir Sarfaraz Bugti, PML-N’s Mir Izhar Hussain Khosa, Nawab Ayaz Jogezai, Sardar Mustafa Tareen and Hamid Khan Achakzai from PkMAP, Sardar Aslam Bizenjo, Mujeeb ur Rehman Muhammad Hassani and Rehmat Baloch from National Party.
Chief Minister Balochistan, Dr. Baloch, while defending the decision of his coalition partners, said that his government will address grievances of the masses without creed, color and religion.
“It is not a matter of class rather we all are determined to address the problems of the people,” he said.
Besides induction of majority of tribal chieftains, for the first time in the history of Balochistan women, minorities and settlers were not given any representation.
The chief minister explained that the names were provided by PkMAP Chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai and Sanaullah Zehri of PML-N.
“I had nothing to do with their names,” he added.
Militancy-plagued Balochistan has always been run by strong tribal chieftains in the past.
For the first time, a middle class Baloch leader, Dr. Malik Baloch was elected as the Chief Executive of the province. Dr. Baloch’s induction was hailed throughout the country.
