Foe turns into ally: BAP announces supporting opposition’s no-trust move
BAP’s Khalid Maqsi admits that his party toppled the PML-N government in Balochistan over army orders
ISLAMABAD: The government coalition partner, Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) having four Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) announced supporting the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan after joining hands with the opposition parties.
The BAP leader Khalid Magsi made the announcement on Monday alongside the top opposition leaders including Asif Ali Zardari, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Fazlur Rehman and Shehbaz Sharif.
Khalid Magsi said that they wanted to resolve the issues of Balochistan now as the incumbent government had completely ignored the province.
After being questioned by a senior journalist Matiullah Jan, Magsi admitted that he had toppled the previous Balochistan government during Nawaz Sharif-era over the orders of the Pakistan Army.
Journalist @Matiullahjan919 asks BAP leader Khalid Magsi why he toppled PMLN govt few years back?
Magsi: we did it on behest of Pakistan Army, so what. pic.twitter.com/98G268kqKS
— Murtaza Ali Shah (@MurtazaViews) March 28, 2022
He added that he had voted against then Balochistan set up over army directives, adding that he had followed the directives of the Pakistan Army but not India.
PDM power show fails to mount pressure on PTI govt
He asked Matiullah Jan that he should ask a question in a clear manner and vague questions will be answered in the same way. The video clip is making rounds on social media while the journalist had also shared the complete interview on his YouTube channel.
فوج کے کہنے پر نواز حکومت گرائی، باپ کے خالد مگسی کا انکشاف
سوال کیا تھا ؟ جواب کیا ملا؟ پریس کانفرنس کے بعد #MJtv سے خصوصی انٹرویوhttps://t.co/cYgAHa3QUX via @YouTube pic.twitter.com/havs4Nls3Y
— Matiullah Jan (@Matiullahjan919) March 28, 2022
It was learnt that one of the BAP MNA and Minister for Defence Production Zubaida Jalal had rejected to vote against PM Khan in the no-trust move.
Earlier, Special Assistant to PM (SAPM) on Reconciliation and Harmony in Balochistan and Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP) chief Shahzain Bugti had announced to take the side of the opposition in the no-trust move against PM Khan.
Major blow to opposition parties
In the latest political move, PM Khan has successfully brought Pakistan Muslim League Quaid (PML-Q) to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government side by offering Punjab chief ministership to Pervaiz Elahi, whereas, the importance of the Jahangir Khan Tareen (JKT) group is increased for the success or failure of the no-confidence motion.
JKT group to play key role in success or failure of no-confidence motion
On the other hand, another ally party of the PTI government, the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) decided to choose the opposition side in the no-confidence motion against PM Imran Khan.
The JKT group is likely to play an important role in the success or failure of the no-trust move. The PTI government has continued efforts to gain the support of the JKT group, whereas, the premier gave an important task to the nominated Punjab CM Pervaiz Elahi to appease the dissident lawmakers.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) has also signalled their inclination toward the government side once again following the political developments, however, it did not announce its final decision.
It may be noted here that the JKT group has more members of the provincial assembly (MPAs) as compared to the members of the National Assembly (MNAs) that will play a crucial political role in the Punjab province. However, the dissident PTI MNAs of the JKT group, mostly from South Punjab districts, are present in the Sindh House.
Following Monday’s developments, the JKT group is expected to take a final decision soon.
