Raisani’s allies plan protests against governor’s rule

Parties which were in coalition government of Nawab Aslam Raisani announced on Friday a plan for a protest movement against the imposition of governor’s rule in Balochistan.

The announcement was made by JUI-F’s provincial chief Senator Maulana Mohammad Khan Shirani at a press conference after a meeting of the coalition parties. It was attended by Balochistan National Party-Awami (BNP-A) leaders Syed Ehsan Shah and Asad Baloch, Pakistan People’s Party’s Ali Madad Jattak, JUI-Ideological group’s leader Dr Abdul Razzaque and independent group’s leader in the Balochistan Assembly Mir Shahnawaz Marri.

“The imposition of governor’s rule is unconstitutional and undemocratic and, therefore, we have decided to hold a protest demonstration across the province on Jan 20,” Maulana Shirani said.

He said there would be a shutter-down strike on Jan 25 to be followed by a complete strike on Feb 1. “We may also disrupt air service at Quetta Airport if our demand for lifting the governor’s rule is not met.”

He said the federal government had dismissed the provincial government, although during a meeting with Prime Minster Raja Pervez Ashraf, the coalition partners had offered an in-house change.

“We were ready to replace Aslam Raisani, but the federal government had already decided to impose the governor’s rule,” he said.



Maulana Shirani accused the centre of violating the Constitution by using Article 234. According to the Constitution, he said, the president could issue the order for imposing governor’s rule only after receiving a summary from the governor, but the
action was taken first and the summary was sent to the president later.

Maulana Shirani alleged that the federal government decided to remove the provincial government after Aslam Raisani had refused to sign a document about the Reko Diq gold-cum-copper project.

When asked if the coalition partners planned to challenge the governor’s rule in the Supreme Court, he said: “It will be of no use because the general election is round the corner. Therefore, we have decided to go for protest and strikes, instead of going to
the court.”