Balochistan MPAs Go 'Missing' As Provincial Lawmakers Take Refuge In Speaker's Residence

Acting president of the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) Zahoor Buledi has filed an application to the Inspector-General of Police in Balochistan afor the safe recovery of a number of missing members of the provincial assembly. Earlier, he had stated that 34 out of 65 members of the Balochistan provincial assembly had taken refuge at the residence of the Speaker in the aftermath of the four MPAs going missing.



Buledi alleged that the missing MPAs are being “tortured” into supporting the government of Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan. The BAP leader placed the responsibility for the disappearance of these MPAs on the government. He said: “It is the responsibility of the IG Balochistan to recover the missing MPAs.” He called upon the IG to reject any pressure from the provincial government led by CM Jam Kamal Khan. Furthermore, he asked the Chief Justice of Pakistan to take notice of the disappearances.

These disappearances come in the aftermath of Wednesday's no-trust motion against Chief Minister Jam Kamal, which was tabled in the provincial assembly as rebellious MPAs vowed to bring down his government. For his part, the CM has noted that “negative propaganda” by MPAs against him was “unwarranted.”