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Unopposed, Dr Abdul Malik Baloch elected CM Balochistan
QUETTA: Dr Abdul Malik Baloch was elected unopposed to the position of Chief Minister Balochistan on Saturday.
Nomination forms for the post of chief minister were to be submitted on June 8 in the Balochistan Assembly secretariat from 10am to 2pm and the election was to be held on Sunday.
However, as no one filed a nomination challenging Dr Baloch, the National Party candidate was elected to the slot unopposed.
“In the greater interest of province and country, we have decided not to field any candidate against Dr Malik’s nomination. Dr Malik is competent enough to lead all political forces in such critical times for Balochistan and Pakistan,” said Maulana Wasay, parliamentary leader of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam Fazl (JUI-F).
“Dr Malik's nomination as CM is good omen for the country and province,” said Sheikh Jaffar Khan Mandokhel of the Pakistan Muslim League-Q.
Malik thanked all political forces and expressed the determination that he would discharge his responsibilities impartially.
All political forces would be taken into confidence, he said.
“It is in my party's manifesto to bring back missing persons and put an end to the dumping of mutilated dead bodies in Balochistan,” he said.
Hinting at Baloch separatists, the new provincial chief minister said: “We will speak to our ‘angry’ brothers, and will try to take measures to bring them on the negotiations table.”
Dr Abdul Malik Baloch is the first chief executive of the province who is neither a tribal chieftain nor member of any family of former rulers of princely states.
A medical doctor by profession, he belongs to a middle-class and educated family of Kech district.
Born in Sigenisar village near Turbat in the family of Haji Abdul Salam, a zamindar, Dr Malik got his early education from a village school and did his intermediate from the Government Collage, Turbat.
He completed his MBBS from the Bolan Medical College and later specialised in eye surgery. He ran a clinic in Turbat for a brief period before entering active politics.
—With reporting by Syed Ali Shah in Quetta.
Comments (8) Closed
All the very best Dr. Saheb.
Dear Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch & Colleagues,
CONGRATULATIONS & GOOD LUCK. Some may wish you quit in desperation. Please, Don't! Keep cool as Meer Ghaus Bakhsh Bizanjo and Nawab Akbar Bugti did. May the Almighty God protect you.
Congrats to the respected people of Balochistan. This nice gentle man and his team is prayed to succeed. May Allah SWT protect them .
I have met Dr.sahib once only and he seemed to me to be THE PERSON who could do a good job in bringing calm and prosperity in Baluchistan. Simple, down to earth and highly intellectual - was my personal opinion about him. Dr. Abdul Malik Baluch is the man who was needed and can deliver subject to the need that all stake holders in Pakistan allow him freedom to work and assist in whatever is required by him. Credit also goes to Mian sahib for having the foresight in selecting the right person. I pray for your success CM sahib - Pakistan has no other option to prosper peacefully - Ameen Farooq Siddiqui
Congratulations, Dr Audul Malik. Move away from the election rhetoric of missing persons and mutilated bodies. Such things are inevitable during insurgency. Instead, please focus on less divisive issues like removal of poverty and education which are the need of the hour in your province.
A very good step taken by all political parties. The best is that he is not a stooge and is genuinely elected Politian. He belongs to the mainstream Baluchis, and not from any Landlord family. He truly represent the people of Baluchistan. If the government continue to address the root causes of unemployment, education and corruption then there will be no insurgency in the province. I believe he will promote peace and security and will help end the suffering of the people by supporting their education and raising awareness among the communities. The majority of the people don't know who is fighting and for what they are fighting because of ignorance. If the education is improved and the common man is empowered, there will be no problem in Baluchistan. He is from the middle class so he will promote the poor and middle class instead of taking funds and putting in his pockets and exploiting the poor like many others did in the past. Congratulation! Mr. Chief Minister for getting this post. May you be able to rule with justice and honesty.
Democracy works! If one is not happy with something, run an election, get elected and change what was not right!
I hope and pray this brings stability to Balochistan.