The Balochistan Assembly speaker and disgruntled members of the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), who have been demanding Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani's resignation, said on Friday that a no-confidence motion against the embattled provincial chief executive would be presented in the assembly on October 20.
The announcement comes a day after Alyani met Prime Minister Imran Khan and expressed faith that a no-confidence motion filed against him by his own party members would fail.
Speaking to the media in Quetta, Balochistan Assembly Speaker Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo said the no-trust motion would be presented on October 20 and a vote on it would "reveal with whom the majority stands".
"If Jamal Kamal is willing to contest [us], he may go ahead," the speaker remarked. He added that after the no-trust motion, efforts would be made to unite members of the BAP.
Bizenjo said that the Pakistan Democratic Movement, an alliance of opposition parties, did not play a role in the decision to move the no-confidence motion, adding that those supporting the move would not change sides.
In fact, those supporting Alyani will join us, he said.
On Alyani claiming to be the party head, he said the chief minister had resigned as the BAP chief and after the appointment of an acting party president, his decision to retract his resignation "could not be justified".
He further stated that attempts were being made to "create a misleading political situation in Balochistan".
Mir Zahoor Ahmed Buledi, who has been appointed as the acting BAP chief, also spoke to the media and said that Ayani had left the party's presidentship of his own will. "Legally, he is no longer the party president," he added.
Meanwhile, Alyani berated the Balochistan Assembly speaker for not remaining impartial.
"I would strongly suggest to [Bizenjo] to realise his oath as [the] speaker of the parliament, where his responsibility [is] to conduct himself ... [in an] impartial [manner] as [the] speaker and the grace of the seat [should] be preserved," he tweeted.
Meanwhile, Balochistan Home Minister Mir Zia Ullah Langau also said there was no danger to the Alyani government and that the chief minister had the majority's support.
"Only a few people are against the chief minister, the rest of the assembly members support Jam Kamal," he said.
