QUETTA, May 16: The strength of PML-N which had won nine seats in Balochistan Assembly in May 11 elections is increasing with every passing day, making it easy for the party to form the government in the province.

On Thursday, Sardar Mohammad Saleh Bhootani who contested as an independent candidate joined the PML-N unconditionally, bringing the party’s tally in the provincial assembly to 12.

Also on Thursday, PML-Q’s provincial chief Sheikh Jaffar Khan Mandokhel announced the support of his party’s four elected members to the PML-N.

Mr Bhootani and Mr Mandokhel announced their decisions after meeting PML-N’s provincial chief Sardar Sanaullah Zehri.

Mr Bhootani said Balochistan needed a strong government which could resolve serious issues faced by the province.

He said restoration of peace in the province would be on top of the agenda of the government.

Mr Bhootani said he joined the PML-N because it had emerged as the country’s largest party, adding that its leadership had the ability to resolve serious issues.

He called upon all political parties forming governments in provinces and at the centre to work for people’s wellbeing.

Mr Mandokhel said his party had decided to support the PML-N in the province in the largest interest of its people.

Other PML-Q’s MPAs-elect are Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo, Mir Abdul Karim Nousherwani and Mir Amanullah Khan Notizai.

Meanwhile, a five-member PML-N committee headed by retired Lt-Gen Abdul Qadir Baloch approached leaders of different parties and independent members to seek their support for the party.

National Party (NP) president Dr Malik Baloch, secretary general Tahir Bizenjo and MPA-elect Sardar Kamal Khan Bangulzai met Mr Zehri and discussed issue pertaining to government formation.

They also met Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chairman Mehmood Khan Achakzai.

The PkMAP has won nine and the NP seven seats in the provincial assembly.

Sources said that some leaders of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl headed by Maulana Shirani were also approaching leaders of other parties for their support in their bid to head a coalition in Balochistan.

However, political observers are of the opinion that the next government would likely be a coalition of the PML-N, PkMAP and NP which already has the support of 33 members in the house of 65 and its strength may exceed 40 after addition of women and minorities on reserved seats.