Balochistan CM’s secy arrested over corruption charges

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KARACHI: Balochistan Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri’s secretary Ayub Qureshi was taken into custody on Monday over corruption charges, adding to the woes of the CM who is facing a no-confidence motion in the Balochistan Assembly moved by lawmakers belonging to the opposition parties with support of some treasury members.

A local media outlet quoted police officials as saying that Qureshi is accused of amassing assets abroad and at home. It was reported that law enforcement agencies had recovered millions of rupees from Qureshi’s house in Quetta that he had allegedly gathered from four ministries at the CM’s behest.

On January 2, several provincial lawmakers had submitted a no-confidence motion against Zehri.

Former deputy speaker Mir Quddus Bizenjo and Syed Agha Raza had tabled the motion with signatures of 14 members.

It was reported that the blockage of funds and the pending decision on the deputy speaker added fuel to the fire. The opposition parties have also given green signal to support the rebel group within the government.

Political observers in the provincial capital have been speaking of differences in the provincial government for quite some time as several provincial lawmakers are not happy with the way of working of Zehri.

Earlier in the day, the opposition in the Balochistan Assembly had declined an invitation for a meeting with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.