Political Stir in Balochistan as President Zardari Summons PPP Leaders to Islamabad

A fresh wave of political activity appears to be unfolding in Balochistan after President Asif Ali Zardari reportedly summoned Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) ministers and members of the provincial assembly from the province to Islamabad on an urgent basis.

According to senior journalist Syed Ali Shah, more than a dozen provincial ministers and lawmakers have already reached the federal capital. While no official agenda has been disclosed, several key PPP figures, including parliamentary leader Mir Muhammad Sadiq Umrani, Asfandiyar Khan Kakar, Obaidullah Gorgij, Bakht Muhammad Kakar, Meena Majeed, Planning and Development Minister Zahoor Buledi, and Sardarzada Faisal Jamali, are currently in Islamabad.

The report suggests that efforts were made to contact provincial minister Haji Ali Madad Jattak, but he did not respond. The development follows a recent meeting between President Zardari and Sardar Yar Muhammad Rind, which was also attended by Nawab Sanaullah Zehri and Nawabzada Naimatullah Zehri.

Uncertainty also surrounds the status of Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, as it remains unconfirmed whether he has arrived in Islamabad. Sources indicate that the president may hear grievances and concerns of PPP lawmakers, with the possibility of summoning the chief minister afterward to address those issues.

According to Syed Ali Shah, President Zardari has been uncomfortable with the performance of Chief Minister Bugti from the outset. PPP lawmakers have reportedly expressed serious concerns over governance and allocation of development funds, arguing that unlike Sindh, they do not have sufficient authority in key administrative appointments such as the Inspector General of Police, Senior Member Board of Revenue (SMBR), and Chief Secretary.

The report clarifies that the dispute is not related to any constitutional amendment but revolves around governance, development issues, and internal political differences. It also highlights dissatisfaction within the Presidency over the recent de-seating of Ali Hassan Zehri and his removal from a ministerial position.

While acknowledging that Chief Minister Bugti has made efforts to improve governance, including initiatives like the Benazir Scholarship Program, the report references former chief minister Jam Kamal Khan, who had earlier confirmed the existence of a “two-and-a-half-year formula” for the provincial government.

Amid these developments, analysts are questioning whether Balochistan is heading toward another phase of political change or experimentation.