The Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) has chosen new leaders in its internal elections. Nawabzada Khalid Magsi was elected unopposed as the party’s central president, and Senator Manzoor Kakar was elected as the central secretary-general.
Following his election, Magsi announced other key positions. Senator Kahdah Babar was named senior vice president, and Zia Lango became the central information secretary. For the Balochistan province itself, Sardar Saleh Bhutani was made the provincial president and Haji Mitha Khan Kakar the provincial general secretary. The party also established its women’s wing, with Zubaida Jalal as its central president and Farah Azeem Shah as the provincial president.
Speaking at the event, party leader Sadiq Sanjrani stated that BAP was founded in 2018 with a clear vision for development. He emphasized that the party would always fight for the rights and welfare of the people of Balochistan and would not support any process that ignores their interests. He pledged that BAP would continue to struggle for the province’s development and a better future for its youth.
Also read:Balochistan Awami Party announces intra-party elections
The Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) on Tuesday announced to hold intra-party elections on September 27 in Quetta.
BAP President Nawabzada Khalid Hussain Magsi issued the notification, appointing Senator Kahda Babar as chairman of the election committee. Sardar Yahya Jogezai and Roz Jan Khan will serve as committee members.
Party members will elect new representatives in the polls, a move aimed at strengthening BAP’s internal structure.
Establishment of BAP
Lawmakers from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), and other groups formed BAP in March 2018, just months before the general elections. The party positioned itself as a platform focused on Balochistan’s issues. Analysts widely viewed its creation as backed by the establishment, given the speed of its organization and its access to key political figures.
Government in Balochistan
BAP rose to power in the 2018 general elections, forming a coalition government in Balochistan with independents and smaller parties. Jam Kamal Khan Alyani became its first chief minister. The party promoted infrastructure projects, youth initiatives, and sought to serve as a bridge between Balochistan and the federal government.
BAP also expanded its presence in the Senate, giving the party influence at the national level despite its regional base.
Fall of Balochistan Awami Party
BAP’s decline began in 2021 amid internal divisions. Lawmakers moved a no-confidence motion against Jam Kamal Khan, forcing him to resign. Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo replaced him as chief minister, but factional rivalries grew deeper.
Also Read: Prosperous Balochistan key to Pakistan’s progress: Deputy Chairman Senate
Before the 2024 elections, several senior leaders, including Jam Kamal Khan and current Chief Minister Sarfaz Bugti left the party and joined other parties. Eventually, the party lost ground in both the Balochistan Assembly and at the federal level, reducing its role to the margins of politics.
