QUETTA: The former speaker of Balochistan Assembly, Aslam Bhootani, on Thursday rejected reports appeared in a section of media that he was going to join the newly-formed Baloch­istan Awami Party (BAP).

“Neither have I joined BAP nor I have any intention to do so,” the former provincial assembly speaker told media personnel.

Mr Bhootani was elected twice from Lasbela as a member of the Balochistan Assembly contesting polls as an independent candidate. He has served as the deputy speaker and speaker of the provincial assembly.

Answering to a question about his plan to contest upcoming election, he said he would take a final decision in this regard after consulting his family members, friends and people of his constituency. He, however, hinted that he might contest polls for the National Assembly seat NA-271 (Lasbela-Gawadar) constituency as an independent candidate.

Published in Dawn, May 18th, 2018