QUETTA: Hours after retired Justice Amanullah Khan Yasinzai resigned from the post of governor of Balochistan, President Dr Arif Alvi appointed Syed Zahoor Agha of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) as new governor.

After accepting the resignation of Mr Yasinzai, the president announced the appointment of Mr Agha as governor through a notification issued by the President House on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, Mr Yasinzai resigned from the post of governor after serving for two years and eight months. He was appointed governor in October 2018.

In his brief handwritten resignation sent to President Alvi, Mr Yasinzai did not disclose the reason for stepping down.

Amanullah Yasinzai resigns from the post

However, rumors about his resignation had started circulating over two months ago when Prime Minister Imran Khan visited Quetta. The provincial parliamentary party of the PTI during a meeting with the prime minister had demanded that Balochistan governor be appointed from the party.

Mr Khan had agreed and sent a letter to Governor Yasinzai on April 30, asking him to resign.

However, Mr Yasinzai did not tender his resignation. He visited Islamabad and held a meeting with President Alvi.

Later, political circles observed that Mr Yasinzai did not attend any function during the visit of the prime minister to the province.

Mr Agha is an active leader of the PTI; he joined the party in 2011 and belongs to Pishin district in Balochistan.

He received his early education from the Islamia High School, Quetta, and got a master’s degree in English literature from the University of Balochistan.

He owns flour mills and runs other businesses.

Published in Dawn, July 8th, 2021