Abdul Quddus Bizenjo

Mir
Abdul Quddus Bizenjo
Chief Minister of Balochistan
In office
29 October 2021 – 18 August 2023
GovernorSyed Zahoor Ahmad Agha
Preceded byJam Kamal Khan
Succeeded byAli Mardan Khan Domki
In office
13 January 2018 – 7 June 2018
GovernorMuhammad Khan Achakzai
Preceded byNawab Sanaullah Khan Zehri
Succeeded byAlauddin Marri (caretaker)
Speaker of the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan
In office
16 August 2018 – 25 October 2021
DeputySardar Babar Khan Musakhel
Preceded byRahila Durrani
Succeeded byJan Mohammad Jamali
Deputy Speaker of the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan
In office
June 2013 – 2 December 2015
SpeakerJan Mohammad Jamali
Provincial Minister of Balochistan for Livestock and Dairy Development
In office
2008–2013
Chief MinisterNawab Aslam Raisani
In office
2002–2008
Chief MinisterJam Yousuf
Member of the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan
In office
13 August 2018 – 12 August 2023
ConstituencyPB-44 (Awaran-cum-Panjgur)
In office
2013 – 31 May 2018
ConstituencyPB-41 (Awaran)
In office
2008–2013
ConstituencyPB-41 (Awaran)
In office
November 2002 – 2008
ConstituencyPB-41 (Awaran)
Personal details
Born (1970-01-01) 1 January 1970 (age 55)
Awaran, Balochistan, Pakistan
Political party PPP (2023-present)
Other political
affiliations		 BAP (2018-2023)
PML-Q (2002-2018)
Parent
  • Mir Abdul Majeed Bizenjo[1] (father)

Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo (Urdu: 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[5][3][4] 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.[4]

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.[4][8][9] He secured 544 votes in a constituency where there were 57,666 registered voters.[10][9] 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.[2][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.[2][13][3][4]

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.[4][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 years.[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.[2]

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]

References

  1. ^ a b "Profile". Provincial Assembly of Balochistan. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d "Bizenjo in the driving seat - Daily Times". Daily Times. 14 January 2018. Archived from the original on 14 January 2018. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  3. ^ a b c "Balochistan Assembly to elect new chief minister today". www.geo.tv. 13 January 2018. Archived from the original on 13 January 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Thrice-elected lawmaker - The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 13 January 2018. Archived from the original on 13 January 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  5. ^ a b Notezai, Muhammad Akbar (14 January 2018). "ANALYSIS: PML-N HUMBLED IN BALOCHISTAN". DAWN.COM. Archived from the original on 14 January 2018. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  6. ^ "2002 election result Balochistan" (PDF). ECP. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 January 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  7. ^ "2008 election result" (PDF). ECP. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 January 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  8. ^ Shah, Syed Ali (11 January 2018). "Dissidents nominate Abdul Quddus Bizenjo as new Balochistan chief minister". DAWN.COM. Archived from the original on 13 January 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  9. ^ a b Shahid, Saleem (12 January 2018). "From lowest votes to nomination for post of chief minister". DAWN.COM. Archived from the original on 13 January 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  10. ^ Ali Kalbe, Iftikhar A. Khan (17 May 2013). "Balochistan miracle: 544 votes enough for PA seat". DAWN.COM. Archived from the original on 22 February 2017. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  11. ^ "Balochistan Assembly to elect new chief minister today". www.geo.tv. Archived from the original on 13 January 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  12. ^ Shahid, Saleem (4 June 2013). "Balochistan Assembly speaker, deputy speaker: Jan Jamali, Qudoos Bizenjo elected unopposed". DAWN.COM. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  13. ^ "With Zehri set to take charge, Abdul Malik resigns as Balochistan CM - The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 23 December 2015. Archived from the original on 6 July 2017. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  14. ^ "Talk of army hand as Balochistan gets new CM - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 22 January 2018. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  15. ^ "Balochistan CM Zehri quits to avoid no-trust vote - The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 9 January 2018. Archived from the original on 13 January 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  16. ^ "Another setback for the PML-N". www.pakistantoday.com.pk. 13 January 2018. Archived from the original on 14 January 2018. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  17. ^ "Balochistan all set to elect new chief minister today - Daily Times". Daily Times. 13 January 2018. Archived from the original on 13 January 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  18. ^ "Undemocratic poll". DAWN.COM. 13 January 2018. Archived from the original on 13 January 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  19. ^ Shah, Syed Ali (13 January 2018). "Balochistan Assembly votes Bizenjo in as new CM". DAWN.COM. Archived from the original on 13 January 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  20. ^ "Balochistan Assembly elects Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo as provincial chief minister". www.pakistantoday.com.pk. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  21. ^ "What does the change in Balochistan mean?". The Nation. Archived from the original on 14 January 2018. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  22. ^ "Intricate moves". www.thenews.com.pk. Archived from the original on 14 January 2018. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  23. ^ "New chief minister of Balochistan - The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 14 January 2018. Archived from the original on 14 January 2018. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  24. ^ "Independents, PML-N dissidents launch new political party in Balochistan". www.pakistantoday.com.pk. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  25. ^ Shahid, Saleem (28 March 2018). "All eyes on party being launched in Balochistan today". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  26. ^ "Alauddin Marri appointed caretaker Balochistan CM". www.geo.tv. 7 June 2018. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  27. ^ "PB-44 Result - Election Results 2018 - Awaran Cum Pangjur - PB-44 Candidates - PB-44 Constituency Details - thenews.com.pk". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  28. ^ Shahid, Saleem (16 August 2018). "Quddus Bizenjo likely to become Balochistan PA speaker today". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  29. ^ "KP, Sindh CMs elected; Bizenjo becomes Balochistan Assembly speaker". DAWN.COM. 16 August 2018. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  30. ^ Shahid, Saleem (7 September 2018). "Balochistan governor Achakzai resigns". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  31. ^ Shah, Syed Ali (19 November 2018). "Quddus Bizenjo to resign as Balochistan Assembly speaker". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  32. ^ "Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo elected new Balochistan chief minister unopposed". Dawn. 29 October 2021.
Political offices

Chief Minister of Balochistan

Preceded by 1st term
2018-2018 		Succeeded by
Alauddin Marri (caretaker)