Clashes outside Balochistan PA as opposition tries to block budget

QUETTA: Chaos marred the Balochistan Assembly on Friday, when opposition lawmakers and scores of demonstrators, in an attempt to prevent the budget from being presented, clashed with police who baton charged protesters and fired tear gas at them outside the assembly building.

Geo News reported that opposition lawmakers locked all four doors of the Balochistan Assembly, according to the police, who broke down the gates of the premises by crashing an armoured personnel carrier (APC) through the gates of the MPAs hostel.

Two lawmakers — Abdul Wahid Siddiqui and Babar Rahim Mengal — were injured by the APC, Balochistan National Party-Mengal’s (BNP) Sana Ullah Baloch said. He also said the province was in its “worst state since its inception”. The assembly was convened at 4.00pm for the budget presentation, but clashes erupted when police arrived to the assembly gate at the MPA Hostel when opposition lawmakers and police had a heated exchange.

Footage on social media showed protesters tossing flower pots at police during the clashes and one protester was filmed on top of the MPA hostel’s fence.

Police managed to open the doors of the assembly so that the government lawmakers could enter for the budget session. The budget session eventually began some hours after schedule. When Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan arrived, opposition lawmakers tossed their shoes at him, according to Geo News.

The budget session commenced under the chair of Speaker Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo. Opposition MPA Nasrullah Zehray accused the police of using violent methods to disperse the “peaceful protest” outside the assembly. Balochistan Finance Minister Mir Zahoor Ahmad Buledi presented the budget during the session.

Speaking to Geo News, Balochistan Information Minister Liaquat Shahwani said the clashes had proven how “ill-disciplined and non-serious” the opposition was. “The assembly is a prestigious institution and they have attacked it. The same assembly whose members these people themselves are,” he said.

“They are doing this deliberately,” he said. “They have proven they do not follow any democratic values and to protect their personal interests, they are ready to go to any length.” Shahwani said if the opposition was serious, it would have properly gone through the budget and recommended its suggestions.

“Have you heard their proposals or demands?” he asked. “This is the best budget in Pakistan’s history and will be presented today,” he added.

He rejected reports that the Balochistan Chief Minister had been hit by a flower pot, adding that the opposition supporters’ act of hurling objects was “shameful”. “After this, they will not be able to even take the name of democracy ever again,” he added.

Supporters of Opposition parties blocked national highways in several cities of Balochistan over the past four days. The Opposition has accused the government of ignoring development projects in the budget.

Opposition lawmakers had warned they would not let the provincial government present the budget on Friday. Leaders of the opposition parties, according to media reports, said they would not allow any MPA to enter the assembly if their proposed development projects were not included in the provincial Annual Development Programme (ADP).