QUETTA, Dec 24 (APP): Nawab Sanaullah Khan Zehri on Thursday took oath as new chief minister of Balochistan at a crermony here at the Governor House.
Governor Balochistan Muhammad Khan Achakzai administered oath to Nawaz Zehri. The ceremony was attended by former chief minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, National Party President Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo, opposition leader Maulana Abdul Wasey, leaders of different political parties, and senior civil and military officials.
Earlier, Nawab Zehri was unanimously elected Leader of the House by the Balochistan Assembly. Some 54 out of total 65 members of the assembly were present in the House.
Parliamentary leader of Pakhtunkhawa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Abudl Raheem Ziaratwal moved the resolution signed by over 45 members, including Dr Abudl Malik Baloch, which read: “This House unanimously reposes its trust in Nawab Sanaullah Khan Zehri for the office of Chief Minister, Balochistan.”
Speaker Ms Rahila Hameed Khan Durrani, who was in the chair, asked the lawmakers, who supported the motion, to stand up at their seats and then asked the Secretary Assembly for counting. All of 54 members present in the House, including the opposition leader, deputy opposition leader and those belonging to Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML—N), Pakistan Muslim League-Q, PkMAP, National Party and Jamait Uelma-e-Islam-Fazl, voted for Nawab Zehri.
The seat of chief minister fell vacant on Wednesday (December 23) after the resignation of Dr Baloch in accordance with the Murree accord. Nawab Zehri of the PML-N was the only candidate, who had submitted his nomination forms for the office of chief minister. Since no other candidate had submitted his nomination papers, therefore, Nawab Zehri was declared as chief minister elected unopposed.
Nawab Zehri belongs to Khuzdar area of the province and is the chief of Zehri and other tribes living in Jhalawan belt He has been elected member of the Balochistan Assembly for several times and remained ministers in cabinets of different chief ministers, including Nawab Muhammad Aslam Raisani and Dr Abdul Malik Baloch. He was also elected as Senator.
Nawaz Zehri joined the PML-N a few years back on the invitation of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and was elected the president of party’s Balochistan chapter.
