Shahzain Bugti quits PTI govt after talks with Bilawal Bhutto
JWP leader lists broken promises about Balochistan as main reason for his decision: Bilawal welcoming Bugti’s decision says Imran Khan used his allies: Bilawal says time for surprises gone: Hurling threats and launching attacks betray mindset of a defeated person: Hopes SC decision on presidential reference will benefit country and nation: Anticipates ‘neutrality’ will be maintained
President Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP) and Special Assistant to PM on Reconciliation and Harmony in Balochistan Shahzain Bugti has announced to quit the PTI government, saying he had enough of the unfulfilled promises Prime Minister Imran Khan had made for the development of the province, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Shahzain Bugti unveiled his decision at a joint news conference with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari following their meeting focusing on the prevailing political situation in the country keeping in view the no-confidence motion submitted against Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Shahzain Bugti informed the newsmen about his party’s decision to part ways with the PTI government and resignation from the federal cabinet.
He remarked: "The government had failed to deliver in Balochistan. The federal government gave us hope that things will improve with its promise to focus on the underdeveloped areas but the people have been disappointed."
اسلام آباد: پاکستان پیپلزپارٹی کے چیئرمین بلاول بھٹو زرداری کی جمہوری وطن پارٹی کے سربراہ شاہ زین بگٹی کے ہمراہ پریس کانفرنس@BBhuttoZardari https://t.co/CHY683Ruij
— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) March 27, 2022
The JWP chief further said, "We are standing with the Pakistan Democratic Movement and will do whatever we can."
On his part, Bilawal Bhutto described Shahzain Bugti's resignation as a "brave decision". He said that Shahzain Bugti had tried to work with the government during the past three years but it had betrayed both its people and the opposition, adding that PM Imran had "used his allies".
Bilawal while thanking Shahzain Bugti said that the MNA had sent a clear-cut message to the Pakistani people. "The people are looking to us to solve their problems. Balochistan's issues are complicated and our history has not been fair with the people of the province," the PPP chairman added.
Bilawal asserted Bugti had taken an "independent decision" which had been disclosed now. "This decision came from the experience of working with these people for three years. Bugti Sahib is a brave man and he values his word," he added.
Bilawal accused the incumbent government of failing to fulfil its promises. "We still have to show Balochistan people that are we ready to resolve the Balochistan issues or not. If we can inaugurate grand projects and hospitals in Sindh and Punjab so we can do that in Balochistan. We will always try to raise voice on genuine issues of Balochistan," Bilawal said.
Bilawal said time for surprises had gone now. Threats of imposing emergency, authorities attack on Parliament Lodges and Sindh House, all these things betray the mindset of a defeated person, he added.
The PPP chief said doggedly: “We will not let any machinations of a defeated man succeed.” He said that Imran had lost his majority, adding that mere hullabaloo and propaganda won’t do.
The real face of (PTI’s) ‘change’ is in fact ‘disaster’, Bilawal said vowing that we would remove Imran after adopting a democratic course. Then he remarked mockingly: “In today’s rally, Imran Khan will ask, why I have been removed.”
On the Supreme Court’s upcoming verdict regarding presidential reference that is seeking interpretation of Article 63-A, the PPP chief said he was sure whatever decision the apex court took, it would be in the interest of country and its people.
On the formation of bench for the presidential reference by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial, the PPP young leader said it was the CJP’s prerogative to form full bench.
Giving his comment on ‘institutional neutrality’, Bilawal held “if the age of neutrality has dawned then we expect that they will maintain it. When an institution goes out of its ambit, it will become controversial.”
Earlier, Bilawal Bhutto held talks with Shahzain Bugti at the JWP leader's residence in Islamabad and succeeded in winning his support for the no-trust move against the prime ministerl.
Shahzain Bugti has a single vote in the National Assembly as an ally of ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Bugti, grandson of Shaheed Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, is a federal minister and elected from NA-259 in 2018 general elections.
In 2021, PM Imran Khan had appointed Shahzain Bugti as special assistant on Balochistan reconciliation.
Reporter Usman Khan