Over 30 politicians including former CM, MNAs, senators & MPAs from Balochistan join PML-N after meeting with PML-N Supremo
QUETTA, Nov 14 (SABAH): Over 30 political figures, including former members of the National Assembly and former Chief Minister of Balochistan, have formally announced their joining the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
A ceremony was held in Quetta on Tuesday where political leaders joined the former ruling party. PML-N Supremo Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, PML-N President Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Senior Vice President and Chief Organizer of the Party Maryam Nawaz Sharif, PML-N Information Secretary and former information and broadcasting minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, former information and broadcasting minister Pervez Rashid, PML-N Balochistan President Sheikh Jaffar Khan Mandokhail, Mir Changez Khan Marri, Secretary General PML-N Balochistan Jamal Shah Kakar, Sardar Yaqoob Khan Nasir and other PML-N leaders were also present on the occasion.
The former premier held meetings with the leaders of the National Party (NP), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI), Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP) and Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) to gain their support. Chairman Senate Mir Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani, BAP President Mir Khalid Hussain Magsi, National Party Chief Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch and other leaders also held meeting with Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday.
Nawaz Sharif arrived in Quetta on a two-day visit after the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari advised the PML supremo to focus on Lahore instead of visiting Quetta.
All mainstream political parties have been testing their muscles to gain support from Balochistan. However, the PML N got the lion’s share from electables in the province.
While the PML N could emerge as the primary parliamentary party in Balochistan with the inclusion of key electables, the party had held sway in the province after the 2013 general elections.
Notably, significant figures from the former ruling party BAP, including former chief minister and former minister of state Mir Jam Kamal Khan Alyani, Sardar Abdul Rehman Khetran, Muhammad Khan Lehri, Mir Ghafoor Lehri, Noor Muhammad Dumar, Toor Uthmankhail, Sardar Masood Luni, Sardar Fateh Muhammad Hassani, Mir Mujeeb ur Rehman Muhammad Hassani, Saleem Khan Khoso, Mir Shoaib Nowsherwani, Mir Dostain Khan Domki, Rameen Muhammad Hassani, Rubaba Buledi and others, announced their allegiance to the PML-N.
Majid Hussaini from the National Party, former member of assembly Zainat Shahwani from BNP, former MNA Khan Muhammad Jamali from PTI also joined the PML-N.
Sardar Atif Ali Sanjrani from PTI, former Senator Dr. Ashok Kumar from the National Party, former Senator from PPP Syed Al-Hassan Mandokhail also joined the PML-N.
Meanwhile, expressing his dedication to the province’s progress, Nawaz Sharif emphasised, “Development of Balochistan has always been dear to us.” He highlighted ongoing infrastructure initiatives, such as the extensive road network spanning thousands of kilometres, aimed at alleviating poverty and backwardness in the region.
Nawaz Sharif particularly lauded the completion of the 650-kilometre road from Gwadar to Quetta, which significantly reduced travel time from two days to a mere eight hours. He acknowledged the sacrifices made during the road’s construction, with more than 40 people reportedly killed in the process.
The former prime minister also reminisced about the foundation-laying of key roads connecting southern Balochistan with Sindh in 1998-1999.
He credited his government for the initiation of projects like Hakla and Dera Ismail Khan Road, which experienced a four-year stall before being resumed by former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Nawaz Sharif highlighted the ongoing efforts to enhance the York-Sago Zhob Highway, connecting it with N-50.
He also detailed various road projects, including those from Basima to Khuzdar and Kharan, as well as the collaboration with Japan for the Rakhi Gaj to Bewata road, linking northern Balochistan with south Punjab.
Speaking about the delayed Kalat, Quetta, Chaman, Khuzdar, Karachi Dorvia (N-25) project, Nawaz Sharif expressed confidence in its completion within the next two to three years, provided the work continues.
The former prime minister drew attention to his government’s role in constructing the coastal highway in 1998-1999 and the Gilgit-Skardu highway, completed at a cost of Rs62 billion.
Nawaz Sharif also asserted that the journey of development initiated during his tenure was unfortunately interrupted after his removal.
Touching upon broader achievements, the PML-N supremo claimed the successful elimination of terrorism, eradication of load-shedding, and the initiation of over 400 small dams in Balochistan.
He cited educational advancements, with thousands of students from Balochistan and former tribal areas receiving scholarships, and the establishment of university campuses in various cities.
Despite acknowledging the challenges, Nawaz reiterated his commitment to unity and inclusivity, pledging to strengthen relationships and cooperate with all stakeholders for the betterment of the region.
Political leaders in Balochistan expressed gratitude for Nawaz Sharif’s visit, with a consensus to foster political cooperation in the future.