September 02, 2008	Tuesday	Ramazan 1, 1429

QUETTA, Sept 1: The Balochistan Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution on Monday supporting Asif Ali Zardari as most suitable candidate for the office of president.

The resolution was tabled by legislators belonging to the PPP, JUI-F, BNP-Awami, ANP, National Party Parliamentarian and PML-Q and independents.

It said that Mr Zardari played an important role in the formation of coalition governments at the centre and in the provinces and for restoration of democracy. Speaker Aslam Bhootani presided over the session.

Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani moved the resolution which was approved by 53 members. Some MPAs were not present in the house.

They are: Jaffar Khan Mandokhel, Sardar Masood Luni, Sardar Yar Mohammad Rind, Mir Tariq Masuri and Ruqiya Hashimi of PML-Q, Nawabzada Tariq Magsi, Mir Rustam Jamali and Pir Abdul Qadir Gailani, independents and Abdul Khaliq Bashardost of JUI-Ideological, and Capt (retd) Khaliq Achakzai of the PML-N.

The house later approved the Balochistan chief minister and provincial ministers (salaries, allowances and privileges) (amendment) bill and the Balochistan assembly speaker’s and deputy speaker’s (salaries, allowances and privileges) (amendment) bill.

The house took up an adjournment motion on an incident of firing by FC troops on protesters in Turbat, killing one person and injuring several others.

Syed Ehsan Shah, Amal Kalmati, Sardar Aslam Bizenjo, Zahoor Buledi, Mir Zahoor Hussain Khoso, Asfandyar Kakar, Mir Asghar Rind, Shafique Ahmed Khan, Mir Habibur Rehman Muhammadhasni and Asad Baloch took part in the debate.

They accused the FC of having set up a parallel government and ignoring the directives of the provincial government.