Balochistan MPAs split over Zardari

QUETTA - A resolution in support of Asif Ali Zardari, the presidential candidate of PPP, could not be moved in Balochistan Assembly on Saturday because of opposition of independent members group and some other members belonging to other parties. Following passage of resolutions in Sindh and NWFP assemblies, the PPP also wanted to get passed a resolution from Balochistan Assembly to present Asif Ali Zardari as symbol of the federation. Advisor to Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik and Chief Minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah had also visited Quetta last week in this connection. Sources said that Provincial Minister of PPP Sadiq Umrani even without taking Chief Minister Balochistan Nawab Aslam Raisani into confidence had taken signatures from assembly members for submitting the resolution. Members of independent group in Balochistan Assembly and members of some other parties wanted to get strong assurances from PPP about solution to their problems. They wanted that PPP should give assurance to them before passage of resolution. The parliamentary leader of independent group in provincial assembly Sardar Aslam Bizenjo openly complained that PPP did not honour its commitment for halt to military operation in Balochistan. Keeping in view this situation, the speaker deferred the resolution for support of Zardari for two days so that all groups in the assembly could be taken into confidence. Talking to newsmen after Assembly session, Speaker Muhammad Aslam Bhootani said that he had received a requisition having signatures of 23 members for moving a resolution in the assembly in support of Asif Zardari. He said there was no opposition in the assembly about the resolution but he deferred the resolution for two days on the request of mover Mir Sadiq Umrani. He expressed the hope that all members except one would support Asif Ali Zardari in presidential election from Balochistan Assembly. Responding to another question, he said that PML- like-minded would support Asif Ali Zardari in presidential election and added that Q-league was formed by agencies and with the abolishment of NAB, Q-League had also gone with the wind. NNI adds: 30 members of Balochistan Assembly have announced that they will not support PPP's Presidential candidate Asif Ali Zardari in the upcoming presidential elections, a private TV channel reported on Saturday. According to the report, some members belonged to PML-Q and some independent group. 

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