QUETTA: The ruling National Party (NP) in Balochistan has termed the provincial government’s decision to appoint Arsalan Iftikhar as the Vice Chairman Balochistan Investment Board as incorrect and wrong.
The government of Balochistan appointed the son of former chief justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry as the vice chairman BOI through a notification few days back. The decision drew severe criticism from different political parties.
“NP accepts that Arsalan Iftikhar's appointment is wrong,” NP Chief Senator Hasil Bizenjo told Dawn.com via telephone.
The party has decided to review the appointment matter of Arsalan Iftikhar after political parties, media and civil society mounted pressure.
“We value the opinion of political workers in this regard,” Senator Bizenjo added, saying that his party respects the criticism of the media and civil society.
Opposition political parties opposed the appointment of Arsalan Iftikhar in Balochistan Assembly. Sardar Abdul Rehman Khetran had passed critical remarks against the coalition government for the appointment of Arsalan.
However, Pakistan Muslim Leauge-Nawaz (PML-N), the coalition partner in Balochistan government had also complained that it was not taken into confidence with regard to the controversial appointment.
"The Chief Minister had to take our party into confidence while taking this decision,” Home Minister Balochistan, Mir Sarfaraz Bugti told Dawn.com.
He said the Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch should have taken cabinet members into confidence prior to what he said was a controversial appointment.
The opposition against Arsalan's appointment from the chief minister's own National Party appears to be a major blow to the CM, who had earlier said in a provincial assembly session, "I appointed Arsalan Iftikhar, and if someone has any complaint they can speak to me."
Senator Biznejo stated that his party would review the decision. He said the NP would protect the interests of people of Balochistan and it would come up to the expectations of masses.