Abdul Quddus Bizenjo Explained

Honorific Prefix:Mir
Abdul Quddus Bizenjo
Office2:Speaker of the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan
Term Start2:16 August 2018
Term End2:25 October 2021
Deputy2:Sardar Babar Khan Musakhel
Predecessor2:Rahila Durrani
Successor2:Jan Mohammad Jamali
Office:Chief Minister of Balochistan
Term Start:29 October 2021
Term End:18 August 2023
Governor:Syed Zahoor Ahmad Agha
Predecessor:Jam Kamal Khan
Successor:Ali Mardan Khan Domki
Term Start1:13 January 2018
Term End1:7 June 2018
Governor1:Muhammad Khan Achakzai
Predecessor1:Nawab Sanaullah Khan Zehri
Successor1:Alauddin Marri (caretaker)
Office3:Deputy Speaker of the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan
Term Start3:June 2013
Term End3:2 December 2015
1Blankname3:Speaker
1Namedata3:Jan Mohammad Jamali
Office4:Provincial Minister of Balochistan for Livestock and Dairy Development
Term Start4:2008
Term End4:2013
1Blankname4:Chief Minister
1Namedata4:Nawab Aslam Raisani
Term Start5:2002
Term End5:2008
1Blankname5:Chief Minister
1Namedata5:Jam Yousuf
Office6:Member of the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan
Term Start6:13 August 2018
Term End6:12 August 2023
Constituency6:PB-44 (Awaran-cum-Panjgur)
Term Start7:2013
Term End7:31 May 2018
Constituency7:PB-41 (Awaran)
Term Start8:2008
Term End8:2013
Constituency8:PB-41 (Awaran)
Term Start9:November 2002
Term End9:2008
Constituency9:PB-41 (Awaran)
Birth Date:1 January 1970
Birth Place:Awaran, Balochistan, Pakistan
Father:Mir Abdul Majeed Bizenjo[1]
Nationality:Pakistani
Party: PPP (2023-present)
Otherparty: BAP (2018-2023)
PML-Q (2002-2018)

Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo (Urdu: {{Nastaliq|میر عبد القدوس بزنجو; born 1 January 1970) is a Pakistani politician who served as the Chief Minister of Balochistan province of Pakistan from 29 October 2021 till 18 August 2023. He was a member of the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan. He was the former Party President of the Balochistan Awami Party.

Previously, he was a member of the Balochistan Assembly from November 2002 to May 2018. He served as the 16th Chief Minister of Balochistan from 13 January 2018 to 7 June 2018 and served as Deputy Speaker of the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan from 2013 to 2015. He served in the provincial Balochistan cabinet between 2002 and 2013, as the minister of livestock. He has been elected as chief minister of Balochistan on 29 October 2021.

Early life and education

Bizenjo was born on 1 January 1970 in Awaran, Balochistan, Pakistan.[2] [3]

He did his early education from Shindi Jhao, his native town in Awaran District. In 2000, he received a master's degree in English from the University of Balochistan.[4] [5]

Political career

Bizenjo was elected to the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan as a candidate of Pakistan Muslim League (Q) from Constituency PB-41 (Awaran) in 2002 Pakistani general election by securing 9,492 votes.[6] He served as provincial minister of Balochistan for livestock and dairy development in the provincial cabinet of Chief Minister Jam Mohammad Yousaf.

As per the Election Commission of Pakistan, he ran for the seat of Provincial Assembly of Balochistan as a candidate of Pakistan Muslim League (Q) from constituency PB-41 Awaran in 2008 Pakistani general election but was unsuccessful and lost the seat to an independent candidate Mir Qamber Ali Ghicki. He had secured 8,456 votes.[7]

He was re-elected to the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan as a candidate of Pakistan Muslim League (Q) from constituency PB-41 Awaran in 2013 Pakistani general election.[8] He secured 544 votes in a constituency where there were 57,666 registered voters.[9] [10] Geo News noted Bizenjo was elected to a legislative chamber by getting the fewest votes in the electoral history of the country.[11]

In June 2013, he was elected as deputy speaker of the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan.[12] After Speaker of the Provincial Assembly, Jan Mohammad Jamali resigned from his post in 2015 prior to a vote of no confidence against him, Bizenjo was named as a potential candidate to overtake Jamali as the succeeding Speaker however he could not. After Rahila Durrani was made the new Speaker by Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Khan Zehri belonging to ruling Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N), Bizenjo tendered his resignation as the deputy speaker in December 2015.[13]

On 2 January 2018, Bizenjo played a major role in the ouster of sitting Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Khan Zehri,[14] after he along with some members of the Provincial Assembly submitted a motion of no confidence against Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Khan Zehri which triggered a political turmoil in the provincial assembly.[15] Bizenjo was supported by dissent MPAs belonging to PML-N which led to the resignation of the Zehri and caused a major setback to PML-N ahead of 2018 Senate election due to be held in March 2018.[16] On 12 January, Bizenjo submitted his nomination paper for the office of chief ministership.[17] Dawn in its editorial termed the election of Bizenjo for the office of chief ministership as "Undemocratic poll", noting how Bizenjo - who received 544 votes in the election - being the weakest candidate for the slot of chief ministership could become the "best" candidate.[18]

On 13 January, Bizenjo was elected as the Chief Minister of Balochistan, securing 41 out of total 65 votes in the assembly[19] [20] including the votes of dissident MPAs of PML-N, a party considered to be the arch rival of PML-Q.[21]

PML-N, which was the largest single party in the assembly with 21 members, failed to nominate its candidate for the post of chief minister.[22] The Express Tribune in its editorial noted that in a significant move, PML-N "stood dislodged from the government of the province" after governing it for four and half year.[23]

In his maiden speech, Bizenjo promised to make healthcare, education and clean drinking water his top priority during his term as Chief Minister of the Balochistan.

In March 2018, Bizenjo helped form a new political party, Balochistan Awami Party (BAP).[24] [25]

On 7 June 2018, Alauddin Marri was appointed by Election Commission of Pakistan to succeed Bizenjo as caretaker Chief Minister of Balochistan.[26] [1]

He was re-elected to the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan as a candidate of BAP from Constituency PB-44 (Awaran-cum-Panjgur) in 2018 Pakistani general election. He received 8,055 votes and defeated Khair Jan, a candidate of National Party.[27] Following his successful election, he was nominated by BAP for the office of Speaker of the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan.[28] On 16 August 2018, he was elected Speaker of Balochistan Assembly. He received 39 votes against his opponent Muhammad Nawaz Khan Kakar who secured 20 votes.[29]

On 6 September 2018, he became acting governor of Balochistan following the resignation of Muhammad Khan Achakzai.[30]

On 19 November 2018, he announced to resign as speaker of Balochistan Assembly.[31] Later he didn't resign and continued in the office. He resigned as speaker on 25 October 2021.

On 29 October 2021, Bizenjo was elected unopposed as the chief minister of Balochistan.[32]

As reported by senior Pakistani journalist Matiullah Jan, on June 5, 2024, to show support to senator Faisal Vawda, Bizenjo attended a contempt of court proceeding along with several other parliamentarians. Presumably, it was at the direction of the Pakistan Army that runs the hybrid regime in that country. Bizenjo was elected to the National assembly under that controversial system in a rigged 2024 election.

References

Chief Minister of Balochistan

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Profile . Provincial Assembly of Balochistan. 18 October 2018.
  2. News: Bizenjo in the driving seat - Daily Times. 14 January 2018. Daily Times. 14 January 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180114020323/https://dailytimes.com.pk/180621/bizenjo-driving-seat/. 14 January 2018.
  3. News: Balochistan Assembly to elect new chief minister today. 13 January 2018. www.geo.tv. 13 January 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180113052924/https://www.geo.tv/latest/176603-balochistan-assembly-to-elect-new-chief-minister-today. 13 January 2018.
  4. News: Thrice-elected lawmaker - The Express Tribune. 13 January 2018. The Express Tribune. 13 January 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180113052924/https://tribune.com.pk/story/1607537/1-thrice-elected-lawmaker/. 13 January 2018.
  5. News: Notezai. Muhammad Akbar. ANALYSIS: PML-N HUMBLED IN BALOCHISTAN. 14 January 2018. DAWN.COM. 14 January 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180114050728/https://www.dawn.com/news/1382777/analysis-pml-n-humbled-in-balochistan. 14 January 2018.
  6. Web site: 2002 election result Balochistan. ECP. 13 January 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180113052924/https://ecp.gov.pk/Documents/General%20Election%202002/Balochistan.pdf. 13 January 2018.
  7. Web site: 2008 election result. ECP. 13 January 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180105060230/https://ecp.gov.pk/Documents/General%20Elections%202008/Report,%20General%20Election%202008,%20Vol-II.pdf. 5 January 2018.
  8. News: Shah. Syed Ali. Dissidents nominate Abdul Quddus Bizenjo as new Balochistan chief minister. 11 January 2018. DAWN.COM. 11 January 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180113052924/https://www.dawn.com/news/1382266/dissidents-nominate-abdul-quddus-bizenjo-as-new-balochistan-chief-minister. 13 January 2018.
  9. News: Ali Kalbe. Iftikhar A. Khan. Balochistan miracle: 544 votes enough for PA seat. 11 January 2018. DAWN.COM. 17 May 2013. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170222054938/http://www.dawn.com/news/1011751. 22 February 2017.
  10. News: Shahid. Saleem. From lowest votes to nomination for post of chief minister. 13 January 2018. DAWN.COM. 12 January 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180113052924/https://www.dawn.com/news/1382360/from-lowest-votes-to-nomination-for-post-of-chief-minister. 13 January 2018.
  11. News: Balochistan Assembly to elect new chief minister today. 13 January 2018. www.geo.tv. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180113052924/https://www.geo.tv/latest/176603-balochistan-assembly-to-elect-new-chief-minister-today. 13 January 2018.
  12. News: Shahid. Saleem. Balochistan Assembly speaker, deputy speaker: Jan Jamali, Qudoos Bizenjo elected unopposed. 11 January 2018. DAWN.COM. 4 June 2013. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304044333/http://www.dawn.com/news/1015997. 4 March 2016.
  13. News: With Zehri set to take charge, Abdul Malik resigns as Balochistan CM - The Express Tribune. 13 January 2018. The Express Tribune. 23 December 2015. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170706224918/https://tribune.com.pk/story/1015233/with-zehri-set-to-take-charge-abdul-malik-resigns-as-balochistan-cm/. 6 July 2017.
  14. News: Talk of army hand as Balochistan gets new CM - Times of India. 14 January 2018. The Times of India. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180122110122/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/talk-of-army-hand-as-balochistan-gets-new-cm/articleshow/62492708.cms. 22 January 2018.
  15. News: Balochistan CM Zehri quits to avoid no-trust vote - The Express Tribune. 13 January 2018. The Express Tribune. 9 January 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180113052925/https://tribune.com.pk/story/1604243/1-pm-advises-cm-zehri-step-thwart-political-crisis-balochistan/. 13 January 2018.
  16. News: Another setback for the PML-N. 14 January 2018. www.pakistantoday.com.pk. 13 January 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180114184142/https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/01/14/another-setback-for-the-pml-n/. 14 January 2018.
  17. News: Balochistan all set to elect new chief minister today - Daily Times. 13 January 2018. Daily Times. 13 January 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180113052924/https://dailytimes.com.pk/179862/balochistan-set-elect-new-chief-minister-today/. 13 January 2018.
  18. News: Undemocratic poll. 13 January 2018. DAWN.COM. 13 January 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180113123746/https://www.dawn.com/news/1382588/undemocratic-poll. 13 January 2018.
  19. News: Shah. Syed Ali. Balochistan Assembly votes Bizenjo in as new CM. 13 January 2018. DAWN.COM. 13 January 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180113201721/https://www.dawn.com/news/1382667/balochistan-assembly-votes-bizenjo-in-as-new-cm. 13 January 2018.
  20. News: Balochistan Assembly elects Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo as provincial chief minister. 13 January 2018. www.pakistantoday.com.pk.
  21. News: What does the change in Balochistan mean?. 14 January 2018. The Nation. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180114053633/https://nation.com.pk/14-Jan-2018/what-does-the-change-in-balochistan-mean. 14 January 2018.
  22. News: Intricate moves. 14 January 2018. www.thenews.com.pk. en. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180114023744/https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/268124-intricate-moves. 14 January 2018.
  23. News: New chief minister of Balochistan - The Express Tribune. 14 January 2018. The Express Tribune. 14 January 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180114201230/https://tribune.com.pk/story/1608056/6-new-chief-minister-balochistan/. 14 January 2018.
  24. News: Independents, PML-N dissidents launch new political party in Balochistan. 29 March 2018. www.pakistantoday.com.pk.
  25. News: Shahid. Saleem. All eyes on party being launched in Balochistan today. 29 March 2018. DAWN.COM. 28 March 2018.
  26. Web site: Alauddin Marri appointed caretaker Balochistan CM. 7 June 2018. www.geo.tv. 7 June 2018.
  27. Web site: PB-44 Result - Election Results 2018 - Awaran Cum Pangjur - PB-44 Candidates - PB-44 Constituency Details - thenews.com.pk . www.thenews.com.pk . 16 August 2018 . en.
  28. News: Shahid . Saleem . Quddus Bizenjo likely to become Balochistan PA speaker today . 16 August 2018 . DAWN.COM . 16 August 2018.
  29. News: KP, Sindh CMs elected; Bizenjo becomes Balochistan Assembly speaker . 16 August 2018 . DAWN.COM . 16 August 2018.
  30. News: Shahid . Saleem . Balochistan governor Achakzai resigns . 10 September 2018 . DAWN.COM . 7 September 2018.
  31. News: Shah . Syed Ali . Quddus Bizenjo to resign as Balochistan Assembly speaker . 20 November 2018 . DAWN.COM . 19 November 2018.
  32. News: Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo elected new Balochistan chief minister unopposed . Dawn . October 29, 2021.