PPP Balochistan rifts deepen after President assigns political role to provincial minister
QUETTA: Internal differences in the Pakistan Peoples Party in Balochistan have intensified after President Asif Ali Zardari reportedly assigned a political responsibility to a PPP provincial minister, with some provincial ministers and MPAs coming out openly against their own parliamentary leader.
A censure resolution against the parliamentary leader’s conduct has also been passed by the Balochistan Assembly.
According to sources, differences had existed within PPP Balochistan for some time. The situation sharpened after the President allegedly entrusted an important provincial political role to a provincial minister.
Sources said that as the assignment was implemented, internal differences became more visible and several provincial ministers and MPAs began expressing reservations over their parliamentary leader’s role, conduct and certain political matters.
The matter grew more serious when PPP ministers and lawmakers raised their voice against the parliamentary leader and took their objections to the floor of the assembly. A censure resolution against him was tabled and approved by the House.
Sources said the differences were no longer confined to internal consultations and their effects were now visible in the ruling party’s parliamentary ranks. Ministers and MPAs of the same party uniting against their own parliamentary leader is being described as a significant political development for PPP Balochistan.
Political circles say the latest situation has raised questions about the provincial government’s internal affairs and the party’s parliamentary strategy. Open opposition by coalition lawmakers to their own parliamentary leader is an unusual development that could affect the party’s provincial politics in the future.
Debate continues in political circles over the rift in PPP Balochistan’s parliamentary ranks, with further political reaction and developments expected in the coming days.
