Islamabad: The chief minister of Pakistan’s Balochistan province, Jam Kamal Khan, has stepped down after a vote of no confidence against him in the provincial parliament.
His resignation has been accepted by the Governor of Balochistan Syed Zahoor Ahmad Agha. The provincial cabinet stands dissolved, ceasing the two-month-long political crisis.
After his resignation, Jam Kamal Khan said: “I have given my utmost time and energy for the overall governance and development of Balochistan. I would rather leave respectfully and not be part of their monetary agenda and bad governance formulation.” He also said that the development projects and reforms will be completed and none will be derailed over personal motives and agendas after his resignation.
Jam Kamal Khan had been facing criticism from the opposition as well as some members of his own Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) over poor governance and rising unemployment. Kamal Khan had rejected all the charges. The no-trust motion was backed by 33 of the 65 provincial assembly members.
The BAP will now elect a new leader of the house in consultation with allied parties to begin the formation of their government in the province. Balochistan Awami Party is an ally of the country’s ruling Pakistan Tehrik-e Insaf in Balochistan.
On Monday, Balochistan assembly speaker Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo also stepped down from his office and submitted his resignation to the assembly secretariat. Bizenjo is being considered for the slot of the leader of house while Mir Jan Mohammad Khan Jamali has been named for the position of Balochistan assembly speaker.
