Tensions between the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)—both allies in the federal government—have expanded to Balochistan, with a PMLN senator claiming Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti of the PPP is facing ouster.
The two erstwhile rivals feuded over Punjab earlier this year, with PMLN Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz criticizing the PPP’s Sindh government for questioning her government’s response to the floods. The back-and-forth resolved only after the intervention of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
On Wednesday, PMLN Senator Mir Dostain Khan Domki claimed that the PPP would soon replace Bugti with a new chief minister. “The decision to change chief minister has been taken and consultations among the political partner, the PPP, are underway for the selection of new candidate for this slot,” he told a news outlet.
According to Domki, the federal government, the establishment and the PPP’s “disappointment” with Bugti motivated the decision. He alleged the chief minister was involved in corruption and failing to govern effectively.
Reacting to the claims, PPP Balochistan President Sardar Umar Gorgaij rejected them outright, maintaining Bugti enjoyed the complete support of all coalition partners. All speculations in this regard are “baseless and desire of a PMLN senator,” he said in a statement, adding no decision had been taken to change the chief minister. “I reject all such claims and rumors,” Gorgaij added.