Mixed reactions to the newly formed Balochistan Awami Party

QUETTA: A group of politicians from the Balochistan province of Pakistan, including leading figures from the current administration, have formed a new party, just months before the country’s general election.
The formation of the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) was announced at the Chief Minister Secretariat in Quetta on March 29 by the new party’s central leader Saeed Ahmed Hashmi, formerly of the Pakistan Muslim League–Nawaz (PML-N), and Senator Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar.
“The political and economic rights of Balochistan are at the forefront of Balochistan Awami Party’s manifesto,” Kakar said later. He added that the new party will not compromise on upholding these rights, and will do its best to meet the expectations of the people of Balochistan.
Hashmi said that the party will apply for registration with the Election Commission of Pakistan after its office-bearers are elected. Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar will serve as the party’s central spokesman, with Shoaib Nosherwani as provincial spokesman.
“A 10-member committee will be constituted to conduct party elections,” Hashmi said.
“The new party, though launched with a different name, will reflect the mindset of Muslim League.”
Dr. Ruqayya Hashmi, an adviser to the chief minister of Balochistan, said: “Our aim is to create a strong provincial government in Balochistan as the previous coalition governments had been unable to secure the rights of the province, which is rich in natural resources but the poorest in terms of infrastructure and development. Many leaders from across the province will join us soon.”
About 26 members of the Balochistan Assembly will join the BAP, she added, and five senators have already endorsed the announcement.
Raza-ur-Rehman, a senior journalist and president of Quetta Press Club, confirmed that many politicians from PML-N and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid e Azam (PML-Q) are expected to join.
“The newly formed BAP includes major political families of the province,” he said. “They will win a good number of seats even if they are not going to sweep the elections.”
Rehman is also optimistic that if the BAP comes to power, it would be in a position to better serve the people in the region. Balochistan residents have witnessed weak coalition governments in the past, the loyalties of which lay in Islamabad, he added.
“When independent candidates join a party ruling in the center, their loyalty remains with it. Strong government by a political party or two from Balochistan will go in the favor of the province,” he said.
However, some independent analysts believe the BAP will not be able to address the deprivation affecting the Baloch people, the very reason for its formation, since many of its members have already been in power in the province to little effect.
“This is a lame horse but it will win the election race,” said Mohammad Ali Talpur, a senior Baloch analyst.
The independent politicians from Balochistan and the dissident PML-N members who formed BAP together created a huge impact in the senate elections on March 3, when they prevented the ruling PML-N from installing its chairman in the Senate, despite the party having majority.
Shehzada Zulfiqar, a senior journalist in Quetta, said: “The major problems confronting Balochistan are bad governance and corruption. Will BAP be able to stop corruption? Most of these members are facing corruption charges themselves. This bunch of elites will get more from the CPEC [China Pakistan Economic Corridor] and Gwadar and other resources, but the province will remain deprived.”
Zulfiqar says that the provision of natural gas in Sui, Balochistan, was explored in 1953 yet was initially provided to the entire country except Balochistan. “Even Quetta got it very late,” he added.
Jalal Noorzai, a senior analyst in Quetta said: “Balochistan has immense significance due to the China Pakistan Economic Corridor project and its security.
“The chief minister of Balochistan’s recent visit to Washington is also part of the efforts to kick off the Reko Diq mining project, with vast gold and copper reserves. For all this, Islamabad needs political leaders from Balochistan in the provincial and national assembly who could listen to [the security establishment] and act as required.”
Other prominent figures who have joined the new political party include Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo, former Speaker of the Balochistan Assembly Jan Muhammad Jamali, Sardar Saleh Bhootani, Home Minister Sarfraz Bugti, Mir Abdul Kareem Nowsherwani, Federal State Minister Jam Kamal, Mir Amanullah Notezai, Magsi, Mir Ghulam Dastagir Badini, Mir Asim Kurd Gailo, Senator Anwaar ul Haq Kakar and the newly elected Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani.