Sadiq Umrani’s Statement Does Not Reflect PPP Balochistan’s Stance: Ali Hassan Zehri

HUB – Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Balochistan Senior Vice President and President Asif Ali Zardari’s Spokesperson for Balochistan, Mir Ali Hassan Zehri, has issued a clear and categorical clarification regarding a statement made by Provincial Irrigation Minister Mir Muhammad Sadiq Umrani during the Balochistan Assembly session on August 31.

Zehri stated that the statement was Umrani’s personal opinion and does not reflect PPP’s policy, stance, or party leadership directives, and cannot be considered the position of PPP Balochistan under any circumstances.

“Mir Muhammad Sadiq Umrani’s statement on the Assembly floor was delivered in his personal capacity and personal opinion, with which Pakistan Peoples Party Balochistan has no connection,” Zehri said.

He noted that he had already expressed regret and condemnation over the statement days earlier in his personal capacity. However, as Senior Vice President of PPP Balochistan and spokesperson for the President of Pakistan, he now deemed it necessary to make it clear that the party neither supports the statement nor accepts it as its political position.

PPP’s Commitment to Constitutional and Democratic Values
Zehri emphasized that PPP is a democratic, federalist, and constitutional political party that has always believed in the politics of parliamentary democracy, constitutionalism, democratic values, and respect for state institutions. He said no party leadership directives or policies had been issued to adopt such a position against state institutions, government forums, or any responsible institution of the country.

“Therefore, it would not be correct to attribute an individual’s personal opinion to the entire party,” he added.

Balochistan’s Challenges Require Dialogue, Not Confrontation
The PPP leader noted that Balochistan is currently facing multiple critical challenges, including peace, economic stability, employment, education, health, and basic facilities. Under these circumstances, it is the political leadership’s responsibility to promote dialogue, reconciliation, tolerance, and mutual respect rather than turning differences into confrontation.

“Solutions to Balochistan’s problems lie not in creating distance between institutions but in moving forward by taking all relevant institutions, political parties, elected representatives, tribal elders, and the public along,” he said.

Clarification on Peace Conference Remarks
Referring to the Islamabad Peace Conference, Zehri rejected claims that participants from Balochistan had returned after “being insulted and humiliated,” calling this a serious misrepresentation of facts.

“I myself participated in that peace conference and am an eyewitness to all proceedings and the environment there,” Zehri stated. “The hosts and organizers treated all participants, especially the elected representatives and tribal elders from Balochistan, with dignity, respect, and sincerity. Considering Balochistan’s traditional values and Pakistan’s spirit of hospitality, the participants were hosted excellently. During my presence, no incident of insulting, inappropriate, or humiliating behavior occurred with any participant.”

Zehri expressed surprise that such a statement emerged on the Assembly floor on August 31.

Respect for Colleagues, Clarity on Policy
While making it clear that Umrani is his senior and a member of the provincial cabinet, Zehri said he would always maintain personal respect for him while clarifying the party’s political and principled stance regarding the specific statement.

“His purpose is not to target any individual’s person but to clarify the party’s position and policy,” he said.

Zehri affirmed that PPP Balochistan, under the democratic vision of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and President Asif Ali Zardari’s policy of political reconciliation, believes in working positively and constructively with all state and government institutions, political forces, and other stakeholders for Balochistan’s broader interests.

“The people of Balochistan have faced problems and difficulties for a long time. The need of the hour is for political leadership to build an atmosphere of trust rather than deepen differences, promote cooperation between institutions, and make the resolution of public issues its top priority,” he concluded.

Zehri stated that his position is not based on any personal difference or group interest but is driven by PPP policy, democratic values, constitutional responsibility, and Balochistan’s broader interest. PPP Balochistan will continue its positive and constructive role for peace, political stability, development, and prosperity in the province while prioritizing respect for the Constitution, Parliament, democratic institutions, and state institutions.