Government-BNP-M talks make headway in ironing out differences

The federal government has once again assured its key coalition partner in Balochistan, the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M), that their demand to ensure voting right only to the local people of Gwadar will be ensured through legislation.

The BNP-M has long been demanding that outsiders must not be issued computerized national identity cards (CNICs) of Gwadar and legislation in Gwadar Port Authority Ordinance, 2002, in order to ensure that the local people and those from other parts of the province can benefit from the international deep-sea port.

Minister for Defence Pervez Khattak and National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri held talks with the BNP-M delegation on Wednesday, which comprised Senator Jahanzeb Jamaldeni and MNA Agha Hassan Baloch.

Sources privy to the development told Business Recorder that BNP-M pressed for passage of "The Nadra Act (Amendment) Bill", which would only allow permanent residents of Gwadar to get the CNIC and a right to vote.

The meeting also discussed BNP's proposed amendment in Gwadar Port Authority Ordinance, 2002, and a special package for Balochistan.

The BNP-M also demanded that 95 percent of the labour and 50 percent of the skilled labour in Gwadar Port should belong to Balochistan.

They also demanded that the non-locals should not be given the permanent address in their ID cards of Gwadar and the right to vote.

Meanwhile, the government has also decided to amend the Gwadar Port Authority Ordinance 2002 on the demand of BNP-M.

The coalition in Balochistan of PTI, MQM, PML-Q, GDA and BNP-M is currently under strain.

All partners have blamed the PTI for not keeping its promises made at the time of coalition formation.

Without the allies on board, neither can the coalition survive nor Imran Khan as prime minister.

The committees formed by the government have yet to make headway in ironing out differences.