A well-placed source in Balochistan government told Dawn.com that Iftikhar had sent his resignation to Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch.

“Arsalan was asked by the government to tender his resignation,” he said.

Arsalan Iftikhar's appointment by the nationalists led government drew criticism from the media, opposition political parties and civil society. Dr Baloch's own party’s chief Senator Hasil Bizenjo also termed the appointment “wrong and incorrect.”

Chief Minister Baloch reached Islamabad on Thursday evening and met with Senator Bizenjo to discuss the situation in the aftermath of Arsalan Iftikhar’s resignation.

Arsalan was earlier appointed vice-chairman of the Balochistan Investment Board which was an “honorary post without salary and allowances."

“NP accepts that Arsalan Iftikhar's appointment is wrong,” NP Chief Senator Hasil Bizenjo told Dawn.com via telephone adding that the party had decided to review the appointment matter of Arsalan Iftikhar after political parties, media and civil society mounted pressure.

The opposition against Arsalan's appointment from the chief minister's own National Party was a major blow to the CM, who had earlier said in a provincial assembly session, "I appointed Arsalan Iftikhar, and if someone has any complaint they can speak to me."

Sardar Abdul Rehman Khetran, belonging to the opposition, had also passed critical remarks against the coalition government for the appointment of Arsalan.

Home Minister Balochistan, Mir Sarfaraz Bugti, belonging to the ruling Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) talking to Dawn.com had also complained that "The Chief Minister had to take our party into confidence while taking this decision”.