Former Federal Minister Khalil George Joins PML-N, Balochistan Situation to Improve Soon: Jamal Shah Kakar
QUETTA: Former federal minister and minority leader Khalil George has joined the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), with PML-N Balochistan General Secretary and National Assembly member Jamal Shah Kakar saying the province’s situation would improve soon.
Speaking at a press conference at the Quetta Press Club on Monday on the occasion of George’s joining the PML-N, Jamal Shah Kakar said the party was committed to protecting the rights and welfare of Pakistan’s minority communities and would prioritize their representation and the resolution of their issues.
He said the country would be taken forward on the path of development through collective efforts.
The event was attended by former federal minister Khalil George, Prime Minister’s Youth Coordinator Haider Khan Achakzai, provincial spokesperson Shakir Muhammad Hassani, district president Sardar Sahar Gul Khilji and other party officials.
Khalil George, who previously belonged to the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), formally announced his decision to join the PML-N. He said that, keeping in view the prevailing situation in Balochistan, PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif had given him an opportunity to serve the people.
George said that although he had remained separate from the PML-N in the past, he had never spoken against the party’s leadership. He pledged to continue working for the welfare of the minority community.
Welcoming George to the party, Jamal Shah Kakar said his inclusion would further strengthen the PML-N in Balochistan.
Kakar said the PML-N was striving to protect the rights of minorities, ensure religious freedom and provide equal citizenship rights and opportunities. He said the welfare of minority communities and resolution of their problems remained among the party’s priorities.
He noted that minority communities were playing an important role in Pakistan’s development, stability and prosperity, adding that protecting their lives and property and ensuring equal access to religious freedom, education, employment and economic opportunities was a shared responsibility of the state and political parties.
Commenting on the Makkah Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, Kakar described it as an important development and said the three countries shared historic, religious and brotherly ties and were playing an important role in regional peace, security and development.
He said the agreement would further strengthen mutual trust, defense cooperation, economic partnership and the three countries’ resolve to address common challenges.
Kakar said the PML-N would continue efforts to bring minority communities more effectively into the national mainstream and address their legitimate concerns. He emphasized that people of all ethnicities and religions living in Pakistan were equal citizens and their contributions to national development were valuable.
He also announced that around 2,000 people were expected to join the PML-N next month, which, he said, would further increase the party’s political strength.
Regarding the situation in Balochistan, Kakar said Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti was working day and night and expressed optimism that conditions in the province would improve soon.
Asked about a possible reshuffle in the Balochistan cabinet, Kakar said he had no information regarding any such change.
