ISLAMABAD: Amid an intense protest by Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) lawmakers, the National Assembly on Thursday passed resolutions supporting the formation of a south Punjab province and reposing confidence in Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.
Later during the day, the Upper House (Senate) also unanimously passed the resolution reflecting firm confidence in Gilani.
The resolution, expressing solidarity with the premier, was moved by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Jahangir Badar in the absence of PML-N members.
The National Assembly session, which was marred by sloganeering by PML-N members, was scheduled to begin at 10:30am but began at 12:22pm.
The resolutions were moved by Law Minister Farooq H Naek and were passed by the assembly. It has been reported that all members besides those from the PML-N voted in favour of the resolutions.
PML-N MNAs arrived in the assembly with placards and wearing black armbands to protest against Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s refusal to step down after he was convicted by the Supreme Court of Pakistan. One of the placards read “Seat khali hay, barayee farokht”.
Leader of the Opposition Chaudhry Nisar sat silently in the tenth row and did not take part in the protest.
The session was adjourned after the resolutions had been passed. The National Assembly session will resume at 10:00am on Friday.
Nisar, speaking to the media after the session, said that the speaker should preside over the session in a transparent manner.
He said last Friday, the speaker had let the prime minister quietly arrive and give a speech while PML-N members were away, and this time an important issue had been taken up without informing the members of the house.
Nisar questioned how the speaker had established that MNAs had voted in favour of the resolution, stating that it had been too noisy inside the House.
He said that PML-N was in favour of more provinces and had also announced support for a Bahawalpur province.
The PML-N has repeatedly called for Gilani to step down as prime minister since the Supreme Court of Pakistan convicted him in a contempt of court case after he refused to write a letter to Swiss authorities, asking that cases against President Asif Ali Zardari be reopened.
The largest opposition party – PML-N – has already announced it would continue to force the ruling PPP to nominate a new prime minister.
COMMENTS (44)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
@Ali Raza: It is not Punjab alone which has been put at stake, in fact in order to cover up their corruption and unconstitutional actions this rotten bunch of crooks can go to any length. Hell with the country. Everything is to be driven by self interest.
if you are sick then vote a different party and prepare for election that is the only way in this modern world, Ghali ghaloach se kaam naheen chale ga I watch Ary geo etc and they are not friendly channels to present govt go and find one honest judge in Pakistan or one honest civil servant or fauji and good luck @ adeel
@Logic Europe: What news channels do you have in Europe? Because we the aam awam are sick and tired of these looters and plunderers.
Salm to ASIF ZARDARI , Gilani ,our saviours the hope of pakistans deprived and neglected they have the guts and strength and chracter to stand up to difficulties
@Saif M: Its not a smart move I would rather says its dirty move by the corrupt people who have no credibility left. In the last 4 years PPP have been quite on these issues and now suddenly when they know they will not winning next election they started new dirty politics. They are trying to attract Saraiki innocent people to grab their votes only when they know people are tired of this PPP and PML (N) Govts.
We all want new provinces but not like this. To make new provinces the way PPP adopted is a disaster. They are trying to divide more people in Pakistan. Only administration base provices should be formed not on the base of language and culture as it will not solve the problem of people.
New administration base provinces should have good Impact on Pakistan. People should get facilities very close to their home. Sarieki area is very scattered and some of the areas are far away from Multan. If Multan willl be the capital of that province then how people from Mianwali and other cities in same area will be able to get benefit from it??????? This is big question. Did the NA discussed about those problems? Not at all as everything is going on not for benefit of people of that new province but to get votes for the next elections from that the people of that area.
The thing is what is a hurry now?. Why don't they just start working out on administration base for new provices and leave on to the new in coming Govt as Election is very close now. In this matter no party should be doing politics and it should be dealt with the logic and intelligent way.
strong textThanks PPP..We love you for struggling for our right. Now Punjabis can no more use our resources. Siraiki people are always suffered by cruel punjabis. So called CM of Punjab has not even visited multan since his government came nor started any single project. Hats off to YRG and AZ.
We're already so far apart from each other and are always forming some kind of religious, ethnic or racial groups. If we're going to create one province per ethnicity then next these provinces are going to ask for independent countries...where in this world are we going?
Great move PPP and alliance
The resolution passed by the National Assembly is merely an eye wash. There is no value of such resolutions. The nation has seen the fate of resolutions passed by the Assembly in the matter of drone attacks by America. This resolution is nothing but to divert the attention of the people from the corrupt convicted PM"s resignation. The resolution cannot save him and there is no alternative for him except resignation. There is no need of any new province in the country. These corrupt people are playing with the sovereignity of the country and shortly they will reach their end,
its politicking going on. govt. is fond of picking-up non-issues to confuse people. they very well know resolution in NA is meaningless unless passed by Punjab assembly with 2/3rd majority. and right now with PML-N majority there, its a non starter. do we see even an effort to resolve gravest of problems confronting the country today?
@Faiz Ahmed: Can you learn to live in harmony in united Pakistan? Why this 'sooba' thing always on your heads?
@FF: Wrong, Baluchistan doesn't have enough population. But on the other hand, any split targeted for political reasons is not acceptable.
Nothing good expected from PMLN... Here I must say Weldone PPP!
A very good move by PPP after a long time......... at-least they are doing something for Pakistan Seraiki Sooba Hazara Sooba Bhawalpur Sooba and Muhahjir Sooba
@Ali Raza: You can put it in the opposite way, that Punjab is the only province opposing the federal govvt for every right and wrong. And that's just because the PPP has its roots in Sindh.
@DevilHunterX: it'll have to end up like this!
@Ali Raza: because there is a govt. of their opponents! the viability demands that all the four provinces should have more provinces.
PML(N) are again on the wrong side of history...i wonder why Ch.Nisar remained silent during the protest...He must be asked to explain his position clearly.Whether the division is on ethnic or administrative basis, it will comprise almost the same districts, so no point in opposing a legitimate demand....
PML (N) is the only party which is fighting for unity and security of the country. Other parties in parliament have become enemies of the State. Also shame on those parties, who boycott elections and refuse to send their representatives in parliament. Its very easy to sit on sidelines and just talk. There are only few moment when history is made and they absent themselves when such moments arrive. What use would be their representation in future when everything is already finished?
Its more than a political point scoring by PPP & its allies against PML-N's stronghold in Punjab.
technically speaking, with no malice intentions, baluchistan should be the one to be divided into north and south to ensure better administration. What do you people say?
Most crises in Punjab due to poor political understanding and bad governance of PMLN. They are just waiting for next prime minster ship for Nawaz Sharif and losing ever things which are rights of Punjab.
any tactic to place focus somewhere other than the ongoing loot and plunder by govt....
First brick of the Muhajir Province has been laid today.
These rubbish rulers are trying to break punjab and make its pieces for their political wills. They are trying to down punjab's position in all the key decision by splitting it. Why not they divide KPK, SINDH and Balochistan. They are only doing it to get government in one part of punjab but InshaAllah they will not be able to do so.
This decision is good for Pakistan. No province should be so large in a country that other provinces start feeling left out.
PM still has a right to appeal .. Opposition must wait till that is thrown out of the court before asking him to resign .. They are parliamentarians who are meant to be creating laws .. I guess they should have known this fact better than any one else .. besides they have no right to block our roads and do protests there. We have voted them to sit in the parliament and solve this problem there only or through courts. So all of them should spare us from these dramas all the time.
Punjab is too big for its own good. Dividing it into two or more provinces is good for better governance. Plus, it's a smart political move. Let's see how Sharif Bros. handle it.
People should consider reading "Sufaid Jazeera" authored by one of the most prolific authors of Pakistan, Mr. Nasim Hijazi. It was written in late 1950's and one of the two purely fiction written by Mr. HIjazi. Read the book and see the Serial Live on the Political Scenes of Pakistan!
Long live Seraikistan,Long live Pakistan. Now shut up everyone else.Salam
Now we want:
North Sindh & South Sindh
North Baluchistan & South Baluchistan
Thanks Farooq Naek and thanks to PPP, more than these simple words. PML(N): you can't stop it now.
An excellent move amidst turmoil. Although it is to frighten PML-N, but Seraikis will not lose hope for their dream come true... Someday They will get their motherland liberated from the clutches of Punjab...
The resolution passed in the NA is symbolic not holding any real substance as in order to create new province in Punjab you require 2/3 majority in Punjab Provincial assembly! Since PMLN didn't vote for the resolution in NA without their votes in Provincial it is impossible to form new province! Election politics being played by the PPP!
Unfortunately, people of Pakistan are left hostage under the "leadership" of unwise, corrupt, and hyprocite leaders..
This govt by AZ will do anything to keep it in power as long as it can. This resoultion on South Punjab is inviolation of the constitution and has opened the way for division of Sindh and KP in the near future. If PPP can unleash a ruthless operation in Lyari to please-we know who- which Coalition partner, it will divide Sindh or do anything else
every thing is fair in love & politics.....!!!!!
Resolutions passed by people who no longer remain in the cabinet of the convicted and thus disqualified prime minister. What a shame, i feel so embarrassed to see all this happening in my country
DONOT make provinces on ethnic, cultural or religious basis. This admin unit must have a district of Sindh, Balochistan and KP too. otherwise few years down in the line it will very bad.
Division of Punjab is urgently needed. Not only the sourthern district should form a separate province but Potohar, which is quite distinct from Punjab, should form it own assembly. It would be better if Hazara is separated from KPK to join Potohar. There is no question of divide and rule. In democracy it will be the people who will elected their government in the provinces as well as the centre. Division of Punjab would turn Pakistani in a more stable federation.
The public sentiment is not with PPP to divide Punjab and create an ethnicity derived province. We are more concerned about our day to day problems.
It seems that it's only one province that is in the firing range of the federal government.Either by cutting off its electricity and gas supplies or by passing resolutions to break it up,all efforts are being made to damage punjab,by hook or by crook.
A violation of Constitution and that too in the National Assembly.