QUETTA: Four dissident Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) members of the National Assembly and a former minister have joined the newly formed Balochistan Awami Party (BAP).

Former ministers of state Jam Mir Kamal, Sardar Dostain Khan Domki, Nawabzada Khalid Magsi and Khalil George Bhutto announced their decision to join the party at a joint press conference with ex-senator and BAP founder Saeed Ahmed Hashmi on Thursday.

At a separate press conference at the Chief Minister House, former youth affairs minister retired Captain Abdul Khaliq Achakzai — who hails from the border town of Chaman — also announced that he was joining the new party.

The MNAs were of the view that Nawaz Sharif and his party never took PML-N representatives and other leaders into confidence while taking a decision regarding Balochistan. “We had tendered our resignations in April,” said Mr Kamal.

Time had come, he said, to unite for the achievement of rights that were denied by the rulers of Islamabad who only gave attention to development of Punjab and ignored other provinces, particularly Balochistan.

“We believe Balochistan will have to make its own decisions at the provincial level instead of bearing central pressure,” Mr Kamal said, adding that they had been contemplating quitting the PML-N for the past few months.

“Now we are all united to lead the province and struggle for our legitimate rights,” Khalid Magsi said, adding that they were all on the page for the development and prosperity of Balochistan.

The MNAs lamented that despite immense approaches and requests, the central leadership of the PML-N was not willing to address their concerns. “Nawaz Sharif had resolved issues put forward by Mehmood Achakzai and Hasil Bizenjo, but other representatives of Balochistan, whether MNA or MPA, continued to be ignored by the central government,” they regretted.

BAP chairman Saeed Hashmi said the party’s council session would be called before Ramazan, adding that after electing the party’s central and provincial leadership they would register it with the Election Commission of Pakistan.

“We have decided to introduce young political leadership in Balochistan. We will form a provincial government here,” the chairman added. He welcomed the new entrants to the party and said that with their inclusion the BAP would be able to plead Balochistan’s case strongly.

Published in Dawn, May 11th, 2018