BAP, PTI to form coalition government in Balochistan

The Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) on Tuesday confirmed that it had arrived at an agreement with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to form a coalition government in Balochistan.

The BAP also stated that they would join hands with the PTI to form government at the Centre, as reported by the Dawn.

Addressing a joint presser with PTI leaders in Islamabad, BAP chief Jam Kamal said, "We would like to run Balochistan through a system and complete coordination with the centre. We are here today with our four MPAs to join PTI in the centre. We are doing this without any conditions."

Meanwhile, PTI leader Jahangir Tehreen confirmed Kamal's nomination as the Chief Minister of Pakistan's largest province.

"BAP won 15 provincial seats in Balochistan and since then, 4 independent candidates have joined them, bringing their seat count in the province to 19. We (PTI) have five seats and together our count has gone up to 24," said Tehreen.

"BAP has the majority in the province and it has the right to choose the chief minister. The party has nominated Jam Kamal sahib and the PTI fully supports him as the candidate for Balochistan CM," Tehreen added.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi, PTI's vice-chairman, praised BAP for their siding with his party, saying it was for the "greater good of Balochistan."

"We know that there are forces out there that do not want Balochistan to prosper. After today's discussions, for the first time, I am seeing a (Balochistan) government that does want to work with the centre and not create an air of confrontation," Qureshi said.

Qureshi also stated that the Prime Minister-in-waiting, Imran Khan, will soon decide upon the Chief Ministers of Khyber Pakhtunkhawa (KP) and Punjab.

Also, the former KP CM and PTI leader, Pervez Khattak swatted away rumours of tensions within the party regarding the candidate for the CM of the province, saying that, "all of us will accept the decision that Khan sahib will make."

Speaking to media persons, Tehreen later confirmed that 18 independent candidates in Punjab had already sided with the PTI, with more expected to be roped in soon.