Dismiss Raisani

Make the best out of a bad situation

Raisani has turned out to be perhaps the most inefficient CM since the first elected government was inducted in Balochistan after it was accorded provincial status. Raisani has occasionally claimed that he did not have powers but such is the lure of perks and privileges that he continued to cling on to the post. He is not unwilling to resign despite serious strictures passed by the Supreme Court. He has lost the confidence of the provincial chapter of the PPP which has canceled his basic membership. His allies are divided over extending support to him. Despite claims that he enjoyed majority in the Provincial Assembly, only 15 MPAs out of more than 60 accompanied him to the SC hearing. The apex court has ruled that the government led by Raisani had failed to uphold the constitution. On Wednesday, the CJ censured the federal government for not implementing the order that contained the strictures and sought a clarification from the attorney general over the constitutional authority of the provincial government. This should lead the federal government to reconsider if it is wise to keep Raisani in power.

The report submitted by the federal interior secretary to the court on Friday maintained that the provincial government had not failed. The federal government knows more than anyone else of the inability of the CM to improve the situation, despite Islamabad having put billions of rupees at his disposal. The money that could have been used to reduce the sense of deprivation in the province and in improving the law and order situation was siphoned off through phony projects like substandard roads, hefty compensation packages for the CM’s family and a new aircraft. Many PPP leaders from Balochistan, including party president Sadiq Umrani, have conveyed their reservations to the federal government. Balochistan Governor Zulfiqar Magsi has reportedly suggested several times that the president should replace the CM. Speaker Balochisan Assembly has rejected Raisani’s request to convene the provincial assembly as he is not sure of the constitutional status of the Raisani administration after the SC verdict.

The federal government has three choices. It could continue to support Raisani despite demands for change from PPP circles, the governor and the SC. The government would do well to avoid this option as it would not only divide the Balochistan PPP but also lead to a confrontation with the SC. The best way out would be to evolve a consensus for an in-house change. If this turns out to be difficult, the president should impose the governor’s rule. In any case, Raisani must go. The new arrangement would by and large be a face saving device. It would however save the federal government from further embarrassment.