A lot of speculation arose after claims that President Zardari expressed reservations about Bugti’s performance.
CM Balochistan Sarfaraz Bugti. Photo: Archive
QUETA:
Amid reports suggesting a possible change of Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, the coalition partners (PPP and PML-N) have reaffirmed their confidence in the current provincial chief executive.
A lot of speculation arose after it was claimed that President Asif Ali Zardari had expressed reservations about Bugti’s performance. Reports further suggested that during a recent trip to Dubai, the president refused to meet the chief minister of Balochistan, fueling rumors of an imminent change in the provincial leadership.
However, senior parliamentary figures from both the PML-N and the PPP quickly moved to quell such speculation, assuring the public that Chief Minister Bugti continues to enjoy the full support of coalition partners.
His reassurance comes at a time when several prominent leaders of both parties – including Ali Hassan Zehri and Mir Liaquat Ali Lehri of the PPP, and Nawab Changaiz Marri of the PML-N – have publicly expressed displeasure over what they see as the prime minister’s inability to improve governance and address the province’s fundamental challenges.
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Their criticisms, while notable, appear to reflect internal frustration rather than an organized push for political change. PML-N Parliamentary Leader Mir Saleem Khan Khosa and PPP Parliamentary Leader Mir Muhammad Sadiq Umrani firmly rejected Senator Mir Dostain Khan Domki’s claim of an imminent leadership change, dismissing it as their personal opinion.
They stressed that none of the party’s central leaders have initiated any discussions about replacing the prime minister, nor do coalition partners consider such a move necessary at this stage.
Speaking to reporters after the provincial assembly session, Khosa noted that Balochistan continues to grapple with persistent problems of law and order, service delivery and administrative shortcomings, issues which were reviewed in detail during a closed-door briefing.
He added that he has informed National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq of the controversy and hopes that the party leadership will question Senator Domki for issuing an unauthorized statement at a sensitive time.
The PPP’s Mir Muhammad Sadiq Umrani echoed these views, acknowledging that while there are pockets of criticism within the coalition, the government remains united on broader goals. He said disagreements are part of political life, especially in a province facing deep-seated structural problems, but cautioned that such differences should not be misinterpreted as rebellion.
Both leaders emphasized that coalition politics in Balochistan requires patience, maturity and continuous dialogue. They urged supporters and observers not to confuse internal criticism with instability, maintaining that the administration remains intact and committed to addressing the province’s long-standing challenges.
