QUETTA: At a time when efforts are being made in Balochistan for the formation of a new coalition government, MPA-elect and prominent tribal and political figure Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi was named as the governor of the province on Wednesday.
Governor-designate Nawab Magsi would take oath of office on Thursday at the Governor House. He replaces Justice Amanullah Khan Yasinzai, who had been working as the Acting Governor since January 6, 2008 after Owais Ahmed Ghani, the then governor, was appointed as the governor of the NWFP on Jan 5.
Nawab Magsi belongs to the Jhal Magsi district where he was born on February 14, 1954. A highly-educated Magsi tribal chieftain, he has been taking part in active politics since 1977. He had been elected MPA in the general elections of 1985, 1990, 1997, and 2008. Due to some personal reasons, he did not contest the polls of 2002.
Magsi served as the chief minister twice, besides being adviser and provincial minister for Education, Planning and Development. He was elected as the chief minister for the first time in June 1993 when the then joint parliamentary group of the ruling coalition forced Mir Taj Muhammad Jamali, the then CM, to step down and asked Nawab Magsi to lead the coalition.
But, when he assumed the office of the CM in June 1993, the political crisis in the country had already aggravated to the extent that just after 50 days, he found himself with no option but to advise the dissolution of the then provincial assembly. After elections the same year, he again became the leader of the house in the Balochistan Assembly.
Political pundits see the appointment of Nawab Magsi as a good omen. The new governor, fond of hunting and a good golfer, told The News that he would try his best to put the things on the right track with the help of the new government in Balochistan.
“I will also try to bridge the gap between the province and the federation and to redress the grievances. I will also help support the government to put the things on the right track as many people have lost their lives and some of them are still missing in the province.” Regarding the new coalition government in Balochistan, Nawab Magsi is of the view that it might be formed by the middle of March.
