PPP and PML-N Dismiss Claims of Leadership Change in Balochistan

Quetta (Qudrat Daily) — Leaders of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have rejected reports suggesting a possible change in Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti’s position, calling such claims baseless and speculative.

PPP senior leader Qamar Zaman Kaira, while speaking to the media, said the circulating claims may reflect someone’s personal wishes but the party leadership has made no decision regarding any change in Balochistan’s top office. He emphasized that the province’s complex political and tribal landscape—along with the presence of insurgent and nationalist movements—makes governance extremely challenging. Under such circumstances, he noted, replacing the chief minister could prove harmful.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, during a private TV interview, confirmed that PPP and PML-N have a power-sharing agreement in Balochistan for two-and-a-half years each. He said he was unaware of any new developments contradicting that arrangement.

Meanwhile, PML-N’s parliamentary leader in the Balochistan Assembly and provincial minister Saleem Khosa termed Dostain Khan Domki’s recent remarks as his personal opinion. He stated that PML-N members fully trust Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti and that talk of a leadership change amid current circumstances is unnecessary. He added that the party leadership would take note of Domki’s statement.

Political observers say the coalition setup, combined with the province’s tribal dynamics and security challenges, already poses significant governance hurdles. A change in leadership at this stage, they argue, could trigger political instability and disrupt administrative functioning.