Swirling speculations arose following allegations that President Zardari expressed reservations about Bugti’s performance
CM Balochistan Sarfaraz Bugti. Photo: File
QUETTA:
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 incumbent provincial chief.
Swirling speculation emerged following claims that President Asif Ali Zardari had expressed reservations about Bugti’s performance. Reports further suggested that during a recent trip to Dubai, the president declined to meet Balochistan’s chief minister, fueling rumors of an impending change in the province’s leadership.
But senior parliamentary figures from both the PML-N and the PPP moved quickly to quell such speculation, assuring the public that Chief Minister Bugti continues to enjoy the full support of the coalition partners.
Their reassurance comes at a time when several prominent leaders from both parties – including PPP’s Ali Hassan Zehri and Mir Liaquat Ali Lehri, and PML-N’s Nawab Changaiz Marri – have publicly expressed displeasure over what they see as the chief minister’s failure to improve governance and address the province’s fundamental challenges.
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Their criticism, while notable, seems 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 strongly rejected Senator Mir Dostain Khan Domki’s claim of an impending leadership change, dismissing it as his personal opinion.
They stressed that none of the party’s central leadership has initiated any discussion to replace the chief minister, nor do the coalition partners see such a move as necessary at this time.
Speaking to reporters after the provincial assembly session, Khosa noted that Balochistan continues to grapple with persistent issues of law and order, service delivery and administrative deficiencies – matters that were reviewed in detail during an on-camera briefing.
He added that he has informed National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq about the controversy and expects the party leadership to question Senator Domki for issuing an unauthorized statement at a sensitive time.
PPP’s Mir Muhammad Sadiq Umrani echoed these views, acknowledging that while pockets of criticism exist within the coalition, the government remains united on broader goals. He said disagreements are part of political life, especially in a province facing deep-rooted structural problems, but cautioned that such differences should not be misconstrued 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 longstanding challenges.
