Internal Disputes Escalate Among Senior PPP Leaders in Balochistan Government

Differences among senior leaders of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) within the Balochistan government have intensified. The internal rift between Balochistan’s Chief Minister, Sardar Sardar Farooq Baloch, and Minister for Agriculture, Ali Hassan Zehri, has come to the forefront.

The tensions flared up yesterday during a meeting at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, where Sardar Baloch and Ali Hassan Zehri exchanged harsh words. The disagreement started when Ali Hassan Zehri raised concerns over alleged interference in the appointment process for vacant positions in various departments. He pointed out that despite tests and interviews being conducted, appointments were not being made, with many candidates who passed the SB tests a year ago still waiting for their placements.

Zehri argued that the merit-based appointments, as envisioned by President Asif Ali Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, were not being followed. He claimed that merit was not visible in the recruitment process, especially in the departments where appointments were being made. Zehri also criticized the fact that secretaries of various departments were not following the orders of the ministers, but were instead waiting for directions from the Chief Minister.

Zehri demanded the immediate cancellation of land leases issued in the Lasbela district during previous administrations.

In response, Chief Minister Sardar Baloch told Zehri to allow him to carry out his duties. This response only angered Ali Hassan Zehri further, who retorted that the policies of the Chief Minister were causing significant damage to the PPP in Balochistan. He also stated that the Balochistan government was not implementing the vision of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and President Asif Ali Zardari.

The heated exchange between the Chief Minister and the Minister for Agriculture led to intervention from other PPP members present in the Secretariat, who tried to mediate and end the matter. The situation highlights the growing tensions within the provincial PPP leadership, which could affect the party’s unity and governance in Balochistan.