The Balochistan Assembly’s dissolution was officially set in motion as Governor Malik Abdul Wali Khan Kakar granted his approval to a summary sent by Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo on Saturday.
The governor’s endorsement came through a formal notification, citing the authority vested in him by Article 112(1) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973.
The Provincial Assembly of Balochistan was thereby dissolved on the 12th of August, 2023, at 5 pm.
The spokesperson for the governor’s office further clarified that the dissolution of the provincial assembly brought about the automatic disbandment of the cabinet.
Nevertheless, Chief Minister Bizenjo will continue to serve in his current capacity until the selection of a caretaker chief executive of the province.
The dissolution of the Balochistan Assembly marks the initiation of a dialogue process between Chief Minister Bizenjo and the opposition leader in the assembly.
This dialogue will focus on the strategic formation of an interim administration to oversee the province’s governance until the upcoming elections are held.
Concurrently, a pivotal development unfolded earlier in the day as Anwaarul Haq Kakar, a senator affiliated with the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), was designated as the interim prime minister of Pakistan.
Entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining the nation’s operational continuity until a fresh government assumes power, his name was sent to President Dr. Arif Alvi following a consensus reached during a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and outgoing Opposition Leader Raja Riaz in Islamabad.
The official statement from the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed this breakthrough.
According to the statement, the two leaders, Shehbaz Sharif and Raja Riaz, arrived at a mutual agreement to recommend Anwaarul Haq Kakar for the role of caretaker prime minister.
This recommendation was subsequently submitted to President Arif Alvi, who promptly granted his formal assent.
A preceding development of substantial import transpired on August 9 when President Arif Alvi, acting upon the outgoing premier’s counsel, ratified the summary for dissolving the National Assembly (NA).
This act effectively concluded the 16-month tenure of the PDM government. The official announcement for the NA dissolution, in accordance with Article 58 of the Constitution, was disseminated by the Aiwan-i-Sadr.
