QUETTA: A dispute between Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti and Agriculture Minister Mir Ali Hassan Zehri over transfer and posting in Hub district turned serious, forcing the PPP top leadership to intervene and resolve the issue through negotiations.

Sources claimed that on the instructions of President Asif Ali Zardari, the chairperson of party’s women wing, Faryal Talpur, called a meeting of all PPP MPAs, MNAs and senators from Balochistan at her residence in Clifton, Karachi, on Saturday and discussed the issues in detail.

Several party members called on Ms Talpur and MNA Ejaz Jakhrani and gave their point of view regarding the issues, including allotment of land, which had caused differences between Mr Zehri and CM Bugti.

Mr Zehri, who is considered close to President Zardari, informed Ms Talpur about the situation and the cause of differentness with the chief minister.

Issues cropped over Balochistan CM’s refusal to hire people suggested by minister

After holding separate meetings with parliamentarians, Ms Talpur assigned Malik Shah Gorgage, a PPP MNA from Makran, the task to settle the dispute.

Mr Gorgage while confirming his meeting with Ms Talpur said: “I have been assigned by Faryal Talpur to mediate between

Chief Minister Bugti and Ali Hassan Zehri to resolve the issue.”

Talking to media by phone, the MNA said he will meet the two PPP leaders separately.

He expressed hope that the differences will be resolved through negotiations.

Party insiders claimed that a majority of PPP leaders from Balochistan, who held separate meetings with Ms Talpur, expressed satisfaction over CM Bugti’s performance, though they also made some complaints.

However, sources said some other parliamentarians had informed the PPP leadership about their reservations.

They said that after detailed negotiations it was decided to give the role of a mediator to Mr Gorgage to resolve the differences.

It may be recalled that differences between CM Bugti and Mir Zehri deepened two days back when the latter presented to CM Bugti a list of his demands, including transfer and posting of officials in Hub district and demanded that vacant posts be filled without any delay.

Sources in CM House said Mr Bugti refused to appoint the officials recommended by Mir Zehri.

The CM told him that he was heading a coalition government in which it is not possible.

The sources said that on the occasion hot words were exchanged from both sides and Mir Zehri left the CM House despite some party leaders’ efforts for reconciliation.

Published in Dawn, February 17th, 2025