Exactly one month ago, Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo sworn in as the 16th Chief Minister (CM) of the resource-rich Balochistan. He assumed the office of CM after his predecessor Nawab Sanaullah Zehri resigned to avoid facing a vote of no-confidence in Balochistan Assembly.

The largest province of the country has been facing a low-level insurgency since 2004 and an increase in the frequency of terror attacks by sectarian outfits in last four months. Amidst these threats, Bizenjo becomes the third CM to govern the province in last four years. This development was projected in a way to suggest that certain forces do not wish to see democracy flourish in the province. Contrarily, following the 2013 elections, PML-N and National Party (NP) signed a power-sharing agreement known as “Murree Agreement” for the five-year tenure. Under the agreement, CM from both NP and PML-N were to govern the province for two and half years each.

Following the tenure completion of NP’s Abdul Malik Baloch, Nawab Sanaullah Zehri was elected as the new CM. Growing frustration among PML-N’s Balochistan chapter members over non-spending of funds for the development of the province resulted in the resignation of several government officials including Home Minister Sarfraz Bugti and Minister of Fisheries Mir Chakar Dhomki to name a few. According to party insiders, only six percent of the 2017-18 Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) funds, which in total is $132 billion, were spent under Zehri’s administration. The open resentment did not restrict to resignations only but also resulted in sponsoring of a no-confidence motion against the CM by members of treasury and opposition benches.

Prior to assuming office, Bizenjo was criticized for securing only 544 votes (1.18 percent) in the last general election. The criticism of securing very less percent of votes was not justifiable. The trend of low voter turnout was also visible in some other constituencies of the province as well. Akbar Ashkani of PML-N (PB-50 Kech) secured only 2.3 percent votes, Rahmat Ali of NP (PB-42 Panjgur) got 4.92 percent votes and former CM Abdul Malik Baloch (PB-48 Kech) obtained only 6.10 percent votes. Only former CM Zehri managed to secure 45.2 percent votes. Infact, only 22 members of Balochistan Assembly were able to secure more than 10,000 votes.

Since assuming the office, Bizenjo, remaining cognizant of the fact that he is in power for only a few months, is trying to address various issues faced by the people of Balochistan. One of his first decisions was to implement Quetta Safe City project. According to security officials, the implementation of this project will help in neutralizing the recent surge of attacks against personnel of law-enforcing agencies in Quetta.

In his first days, he also paid surprise visits to various medical institutions, police stations, etc. After chairing his first cabinet meeting, the following decisions were taken:-

  • Cards will be issued to special people after determining their exact strength.
  • Disabled persons will be given monthly allowances.
  • Immediate recruitment for vacant posts in different departments.
  • Transporters should inform about any person who demands bribe at check-post.

His government also claim to have filled most of the 34,000 posts which are vacant prior to his assumption of power. However, this claim is viewed with suspicion by many observers. More than 18 percent of PDSP have been utilized so far. The “Balochistan Peace Program”, launched in August 2015, continues under the incumbent CM. Under Bizenjo’s administration, 200 separatists have surrendered themselves. CM Bizenjo also became the first CM to listen to the concerns of Gwadar residents by conducting a Khuli Khechari (open court). He has already conducted four open court sessions in the provincial capital.

In terms of providing support to police, the CM announced a new 30-bed hospital to be constructed in Quetta Police Lines, Rs. 50 million revolving fund for the treatment of injured policemen, treatment of severely injured policemen to be conducted abroad if required, provision of 200 motorbikes for Quetta Eagle Force, construction and renovation of police station buildings and 28 development projects for police officers.

To sum up, the performance of Bizenjo has been appreciable. Knowing that the duration of his government is very limited, he is trying to do as much as he can to improve the lives of people of the province. If in the next few months, Bizenjo administration can launch some socio-development initiatives, operationalize Safe City Project and introduce legislation to secure rights of Baloch people in view of CPEC project then Bizenjo will be remembered as the one of the great CM in almost five decades.

 

 

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