Sardars, nawabs continue to dominate Balochistan cabinet

Syed Ali Shah Published October 14, 2013

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.

Pakistan

Syed Ali Shah is DawnNews' Quetta bureau chief.

He tweets @alishahjourno

11 Balochistan ministers take oath today

Khalid

Oct 14, 2013 09:08pm

How long are we going to see these people in the parliament?. There are enough professors, doctors and other professionals who can better represent their people.

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Guest63

Oct 14, 2013 10:09pm

Why are you surprised , if you are not well versed with the versatile Pakistani Politics of 6.5 decades since the country was born , then go and reeducate yourself . Its their country , Chalked out of the Indian subcontinent , its their earned right to be members of assemblies , its their prerogative then to be ministers so how can you a common man on the street snatch away their such entrenched basic rights to govern or seem to Govern would be the right term . Governance for the people and by the people is ot their cup of tea , so get re educated sir

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marghoobahmedsiddiqui

Oct 14, 2013 11:14pm

They will continue to destroy Country and province. Akbar Bugti, whom people call as SHAHEED had done nothing but brought Balochistan to this stage. God may help Pakistan.

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Abid Mahmud Ansari.

Oct 14, 2013 11:28pm

I have all sympathies with the C.M Baluchistan,Dr.Malik.He'll remain dominated by these Sardars,and we should forget about any improvement in the life of Baluchi people. Now, let us see, what the self styled Mr. Baluchistan ( Sanaullah Baloch) says about whole sale induction of these Sardars in the Baluchistan's cabinet?

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pakiboy

Oct 15, 2013 04:14am

the problem of whole pakistan and specially baluchistan is highlighted in the headline

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ahmad

Oct 15, 2013 10:22am

Our best wishes are with the government of Balochistan. May they succeed in establishing peace within the province

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Yousaf

Oct 15, 2013 01:41pm

Finally had hope when Dr. Malik Baloch was picked as the CM. This just shows that things in Pakistan and Baluchistan will never change. No hope anymore.

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Akram

Oct 17, 2013 04:25pm

the law needs to changed so that at least 30% of the cabinet in all provinces is made up of women, and 10% for minorities, lets not forget women make up 50% of the population but have no representation. Only positive discrimination will force the parties to promote both women and minorities into their ranks. It will accelerate the development of Pakistan's nascent democracy.

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