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Punjab Assembly passes South Punjab, Bahawalpur province resolutions
The resolutions were submitted by Law Minister Rana Sanaullah on Tuesday.
The resolutions were submitted by Law Minister Rana Sanaullah on Tuesday. PHOTO: FILE
LAHORE: Resolutions pertaining to the creation of the South Punjab province and restoration of Bahawalpur province were unanimously approved in the session of the Punjab Assembly held today, Express News reported.
Both resolutions were submitted by Punjab Law Minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Rana Sanaullah.
“Nawaz Sharif’s vision, his thinking has been fully endorsed in this approval,” said Rana Sanaullah in a statement.
Raja Riaz, while speaking to the media said, “We have unanimously approved these regulations to express our unity with the people of south Punjab.”
“A wave of happiness must have definitely spread in this deprived area, the credit of which goes to PPP, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and President Asif Ali Zardari,” he said.
The opposition in the Punjab Assembly, led by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), had called for a session today (Wednesday) where a resolutions pertaining to the creation of new provinces were to be tabled.
Usually, the opposition benches as opposed to the government benches call for a Punjab Assembly session due to poor law and order situation, wheat procurement issues or inflation. But the opposition specifically called for a session demanding the formation of a South Punjab province.
Following the opposition’s move, Rana Sanaullah had submitted the resolutions on Tuesday.
Reader Comments (66)
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Positive step,now more provinces need to be made,including Mohajir province in South Sindh and the Hazara province in KPK.Punjab has shown every one the way with its big heartedness,it is time the Sindh Assembly also passed a resolution in favour of creating a new Mohajir province.
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where is the text?
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This is a very generous action taken by the punjab assembly and pml-n,they deserve to be brave enough to pass a resolution for making new provinces.The Muhajir community in Sindh have also been demanding a new province comprising the Southern part of what is at present sindh province.
Luckily, the PPP and its allies have over two-thirds majority in the sindh assembly and can get the bill creating a new Mohajir province passed without any difficulty,it should be passed and the Mohajirs must be given a new province.Recommend
People of Pakistan will decide under the leadership of PTI. PMLn and PPPp realised to make provinces in the last breaths of their government…. Chalo aur kuch nahee to soobey hi bana dein…. divide and rule!!!
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It marks the Start of Division of Pakistan………..
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A very very nice move by PMLN. Provinces on administrative basis is a good and viable option and PMLN exactly did that. South Punjab and Bahawalpur provinces will make Pakistan stronger and more progressive. In this manner we will have more units and no prejudice will be involved as well and it would be a great decision altogether and good for the country as well.
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What Next now?
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A nice decision by PMLN. We must appreciate it .
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So when will the provinces be made?
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The Sindh assembly should learn a lesson or two from our brothers in punjab in generosity.A resolution for creating a new Mohajir Province in sindh must be immediately tabled in the sindh assembly.Thankyou, punjab assembly for setting a great precedent for new provinces in pakistan.
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lets see when these provinces going to be created – not in next 10-20 years i guess…
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It means there will be two Punjab provinces (1) North and South (2).
From here on there will be two provincial governments. There will be more lucrative jobs for Punjabi politicians!
A great victory for Punjab politicians. Pakistan Zindabad and Punjab two times Zindabad!!
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A very sad day!
The Prularity of Pubjab is being destroyed
by this shameless lot.
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No division of Sindh!
Karachi- is heart of Pakistan, its not a totally mohajir place
North east-Gulshan e hadeed still mill-Totally Sindhi
South-Sindhi Mohajir Mix-Defence clifton area
South West-Pakhtun -mae kolachi area
North west- Pakhtuooon-Industrial zone/ Banaras /Katti pahari area
Sindh division will be on the our lives!
I will die defending Sindh!!!
Its impossible to divide sindh!!!
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Salute to Punjab Assembly
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Clever move by N. The resolution demands formation of a national commission to decide on new provinces. We all know the rule: if you don’t want to act on something, make a commission. The fate of commission is anybody’s guess when N will press for Hazara province and South Sindh province.
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Sanity prevails, great step by the Punjab assembly and credit goes to all public representatives in the assembly. It is a great sign of changing Pakistan. It will help in overcoming sense of deprivation and help in development and solving problems of people.
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The demographic of Karachi and Hyderabad have changed in last 10 years. Now even MQM doesn’t want a province in Sindh. When they will ask for it then Sindh assembly can consider it. I think its a good move by Political parties by forming provinces according to peoples demands.
But forming too many provinces will hurt people as there will be more CMs, province assemblies, more provincial minister.
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you can not “EAT” provinces.. doesnt matter how many you make, wont do good!
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New Provinces are the need of time, but they should be made not on the ground of ethnicity but for the better administration of affairs.
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This was the actual need of Pakistan. In my opinion Pakistan should make more provinces by declaring divisions as province. if we did it the the Azad Balochstan, Sidho-daish, or Jinha pur will die it self.
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@pashtun you have a very short memory. pakistan was already divided in 1971 because provincial rights (to the majority) were not being given (by a minority!). this resolution in punjab is a positive move and hopefully will lead to the creation of several other provinces so that each province within the federation is of a somewhat equal size and stature and can better meet the needs of its residents. hazara out of KP, karachi/hyderabad out of sindh, makran out of baluchistan and quetta (pashtun area) out of baluchistan as well.
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Hurrah! PLM’N following the suit. Dear Imran Khan, please keep sitting outside and watch the Tamasha from there.
ANP surrend now ( follow the wise Punjabis) and table a resolution on the fate of FATA and Haza before it is too late. It is itme to join the celebrations and parties; who knows what happens in future, we as a nation does not plan, rather we have complete faith in “Tawakul Ellal-Allah”. You may not get the time to party later on.
A Peshawary.
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@pashtun:
May Allah forbid.
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So Pakistan Petition Party have started dividing Pakistan…
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@pashtun:
Brother, bahawalpur was a province at the time of independence. There is no harm in creation of new provinces. But the decision should be on administration basis. So, if there is a genuine issue, it should be addressed.
Good thing about the decision is that all parties and representatives unanimously agreed. It is an example for other assemblies in Pakistan. All parties PML-N, PML-Q, PML-H, PPP, PML-F, MMA agreed on the issue.
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@pashtun:
A state within Pakistan is not dismemberment of Pakistan as the demand of Pakhtukhwah. Any body wanting entity outside Pakistan will be and should be dealt with severely. More provinces are welcome within the boundaries of Pakistan. Allows better development of the regions. Soon Pakistan will be developed state like the West.
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PMLN is so reactive and is no match to the political shrewdness of PPP.
NS will only do what AZ want him to do!!!
This lot of rulers is spoinling Pakistan!!!
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A very brave move by the Punjab Assembly. I think they have shown a lot of maturity. In my view all districts in the country should be declared to be provinces.
Pakistan needs week provinces and a strong federation……..
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its great. But i am confused/unable to understand that whether there would be three provinces out of existing punjab?
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@Blithe: Brother i dont think so because Plurality will remain with this decision as these provinces are being on the basis of Administration and not on the basis of some language or dielect basis.
@Muhammad Ahsan Khan: Khan Sahib some people can never appreciate and even you show your biased attitude against one region in your comments as well. It is a shame that some people are ready to point mistakes in others but not able to rectify their own shortcomings. Getting envious is easy than Competing my friend.
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Seeds of regionlism have been sown.b ready to feel d pinch
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@Malik Waqar Haider Awan: Yes Malik Sahib there will be two provinces like the existing Punjab. Shahbaz Sharif will be the chief minister of Upper Punjab and two new chief ministers will be selected with two new Assemblies will be created and two new Cities will be selected as new Capitals and One would be in Bahawalpur and one would be Multan as the new capital of new South Punjab province. But the best point is that It would be made on Administration basis and there are no prejudices involved in it.
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Is PPP ready for 75 seats for senate in Punjab. Mark my words PPP will not support this.
This is just a resolution.
Actual thing is constitutional amendment.
This is just election slogan. Smart move by PMLN.
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I wait for the day when these new provinces are created and the people face more destruction, problems, anarchy and violence. Then I get to say, told you so!
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@Wajh:
I live in Europe and they became stronger with smaller provinces and Punab is wiser than others in Pakistan and mark my words that it will be a great thing for development in Punjab.Recommend
My worry is for SINDH. This thing will give reason to MUHAJIR SOOBA. The ultimate goal for MQMRecommend
The enemies of Pakistan perceive Punjab as the center of national strength, patriotism, and a real hindrance to their malicious machinations. Now their stooges somehow convinced the dumb and shortsighted leadership of Pakistan Peoples Party – and the even dumber Nawaz Sharif is mindlessly countering with similar proposals – to cut Punjab into pieces so that the biggest hurdle in their way is removed. Alas, had we had a leader having 1/10th of the wisdom of the Quaid or at least someone who could just follow what Quaid said about the evils of provincialism, we could have saved ourselves from today’s miseries.
District Government System is the right solution for the devolution of power, which both major parties sinisterly dissolved, for avoiding the Pandora box of new issues – as if all of our current issues have been solved – resulting from creating new provinces like NFC awards, water accords, and the list goes on. It looks like some super player is pulling the strings and our political leadership is following the commands.Recommend
That is quite fair. Two provinces in the South Punjab. What is further needed is two provinces in the North; Khushab and Taxila. That should make every one happy and accords to ethnic configurations as well. May be district of Jhang will have to be divided into north and South along the river Chenab.
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I had initially thought Mian Nawaz Shariff was just playing politics. But by this move he has shown statesmanship and that he is serious about smaller states made on basis of administrative reasons. Well done PML(N) !
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Action taken with good intentions and increases our responsibility to prove it correct. Cangrats to all concerned !
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@Salim Bilal:
with due respect, i want to say, sindh is not the land only for sindhis, it is the heart of our sindhi nation, the waves of indus float in our hearts,….. plz don’t raise the voice in fevering of new province in sindh province. it will never been happened. we gave you the shelter to immigrants from india. how can they demand the new for new state after passing of merely 50 years.
we sindhi are the masters of our land since the time of the prophets, we have the ancient history 4000 to 9000 old. we do accept our muhajar people, they are our beloved brothers. we do respect them, but we will never compromise on our social and the national issue.
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@A.Bajwa: Keep your prejudice to yourself and dont try to divide anyone. The provinces In Punjab are not being made on ethnic configurations as some haters especially from other provinces want as they want Punjabis to be racist fighting among themselves but your dream is not gonna fulfilling. The provinces are purely based on Administrative basis and we Appreciate efforts of PMLN to keep people united and dividing based on Administration and People of Punjab are wise enough not to make difference among themselves based on ethnicity and that is one of the secret of success of Punjabis in Pakistan compared to others.
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PMLN proved to be the real Party of Pakistan,. Rather than chanting any slogans about Language like PPP did they made the right decision of division of Province on Pure administrative basis and this will be great for the future as People of Punjab will be happy as ever before and administrative wise they will be more stronger and more cities will develop afterwards. I congratulate PMLN for this move for overthrowing agenda of PPP based on hatred of Ethnic lines and Bring the true agenda for Stronger Pakistan by good administration by division into smaller Provinces.
I am from Punjab and i welcome this move as Now 80 million will be divided in 50 and 30 million Approximately and this will prove to be the great administrative unit of future.
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This will not divide country but will develop south Punjab in next few years.
We must make a province out of FATA in KPK to develop it not Hazara though or not at least based on ethnic or linguistic basis as that create divide in the society.
We also need to make small provinces in Balochistan (e.g Turbat, Dera Bugti & Zhob or Dalbandin areas) where population is sporadic in far flung areas and is least developed province in the whole country. Once we have made small provinces there, which will get their share of budget, they will be able to do better development & management. Sindh is already small province but if they want then must be on administrative basis only.
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Good decision. It will improve jobs and have smaller population/land mass and problems to manage by local government.
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It is nice thta instead of Siraiki Province they name it South Punjab and similarly, Hazara Province which is also represent area rather any ethnicity. Sindh may be divided in three, South, East. West however, please dont name new provinces on ethnicity for e.g if yo name Muhajir Province then what about the Sindhis living here. The purpose is effective administration then why naming on ethnicity.
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This move to create Bahawalpur province is meant to create fissures & division amon the SERAIKI people. It is a move by PML(N) and its Punjabi ovelords to damage Seraiki nationalism & Seraiki identity. We the people of south Punjab, includin Bahawalpur, reject this move disdainfully. We only accept the resolution earlier adopted by Pakistan’s National Assembly, for creation of Seraiki Province which includes Bahawalpur.
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@ayaz bukhari (awaz e sindh):
@All Sindhi brothers:
“we sindhi are the masters of our land since the time of the prophets, we have the ancient history 4000 to 9000 old.”
You guys think it is good and enjoyable to divide Punjab – and that too by a party which basically draws its strength from Sindh and does not have majority in Punjab – but bad for Sindh, although the reasons given in support of dividing Punjab also hold true in case of Sindh as well. People like you who say Sindh cannot be divided as she is some kind of sacred cow, I tell you that has already been done during the British rule. Punjab was divided at the time of Partition, otherwise Delhi was its eastern boundary. As far as ancient history is concerned, Punjab has the similar history as ancient as Sindh’s. I can tell you for sure, if it is Punjab today, it will be Sindh tomorrow. No matter what you think or say. As you sow, so shall you reap.
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@Zafar Siddiqui & @Abdul Rafay: And where exactly do you propose the location of this “Mohajir Province?” And who has given you the mandate to speak on behalf of the “Mohajirs?”
As a “Mohajir,” though I do not call myself one, since I was born right here in Karachi, I do not favor creation of a “Mohajir Province.” Mainly because I do not see the necessity of one. The largest political party representing “Mohajirs,” MQM has disavowed any interest in a Mohajir Province. If they are lying I do not want to associate myself with a lying and a cheating party. If they are being truthful, then I believe they should stick to it.
Though “Mohajirs,” at one point could have been the overwhelming group in Karachi, presently they are moving towards either being a minority, or to be a part of a Metropolis with other large ethnic groups, which in essence will be taking the raison d’etre out of the demand for a separate province for them.
I have not seen a democratic trend in settling things or decision-making in the “Mohajir” community which will give me confidence that they will be able to establish a governing system which we could be proud of.
My suggestion is to learn to live with the Pathans, Baloch, Punjabis, and Sindhis and give them something to organize and to develop instead of looking to divide ourselves. We are here because of a division of land to begin with; I do not see need for further divisions. Karachi used to be beautiful and glorious, let us try to rebuild it and restore its glory. Recommend
@Bewildered Banda south Punjab: Keep ur agenda of hatred to yourself. I am from South Punjab and i reject any division based on ethnic lines. Also i advice you to pay a visit to Bahawalpur and see with your own eyes that what people want . People only want division on administrative basis and we dont want any division based on language or so called ethnic line to promote hatred
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Even the ET refuse to publish comments that challenge people to think about about the possible and potential outcomes of such division. When you can get all you need and much more for masses through Local Government System then why to go for another division of the Indus River Basin just for political elite only? Let us see how do we resolve new water accord? Remember, it took more than a century to agree to an agreement for water distribution among four provinces, let us imagine about the time required for similar agreement for among six provinces after such division. How many new provinces will emerge; after setting a precedent, how can you stop this tsunami?
People who never discussed and debated this issue and rushed such approval from the national assembly; they will be held responsible for all possible negative results. In my opinion, it is not just a loss for Punjab, it could become unmanageable loss for country. If we end up disturbing province-specific integrated irrigation system in a region that has 77% irrigated area and almost 80% production, it is not a rocket science to guess about potential horrifying outcomes. I am really scared about the quality of decision making in this wonderful country.
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Great event. Credit goes to PML-N
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Bahawalpur was a separate princely state and given the status of a province which is being reverted back. It is an excellent step.
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@Muhammad Usman: So whats wrong? if locals are agree then keya kray ga qazi
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@Shoaib
Perhaps you are the one who hasn`t visited Bahawalpur.It is written
all around,”Bahawalpur na multan,soba sirf seraikistan”
But still I think its the most acceptable thing for the seraiki belt to have more
provinces on such basis.I think each district should be given the status of a
province.Besides,provinces should be renamed (not paktunkhwah,Punjab,
sindh,Balochistan, as ethnic lecture is only for the seraiki people while rest
are enjoying their identity, Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah ok!)
Peace to my brothers and sisters of Pakistan!
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Three punjabs vs the rest three provinces, 75 seats in Senate, my brothers from sind, baluchistan and KPK you have made a blunder which will cost your more. A very smart move in the game by PML-N.
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@Shoaib: Please see the post by @Ubaid to know what the people of Bahawalpur desire. You perhaps have never visited south Punjab, I think. Otherwise you would not have given such a statement on behalf of people of Seraiki region.
Apart from that, how on earth is the demand or desire of a people for recognition of their historical & cultural identity as ‘hate’ or ‘divisive”? You perhaps know that the Indian Punjab has been divided into three states /provinces after independence, i.e. Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. (At the time of independence, that part of the Punjab which went to India, was lesser in area as compared to Pakistani part of the Punjab). Moreover, you must know that the present Khaibar-PakhtunKhwa (NWFP) remained part of the Punjab province till 1900. The NWFP came into existence as a separate province from 1st January 1901. So there is nothing ‘hate’ or ‘divisive’ in creation of provinces and recognizing identity of the people.
I urge you to visit Bahawalpur, Rahimyar Khan, Sadiqabad, Khanpur, Liaqatpur, Punjnad, Uch Sharif etc in Bahawalpur Division and other places in south Punjab to know what the people of south Punjab desire.
In fact the move by PML (Nawaz) is based on their Punjabi chauvanism, to create fissures & divisions among the people of Seraiki areas.
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@Ubaid:
Kindly get your basics right .
Punjab is not an ethnic name; it’s geographic.
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Assalam o Alaikum,
This is very good news and good move by Punjab Assembly, Multan will be the capital of South Punjab.
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@Bewildered Banda south Punjab
@Ubaid
If you take a look at history (except KPK ), none of these provinces’ division were ethnic based.
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@Lala Gee:
great to read your comment bro, i do agree with you entirely. you have reminded me the history.i don’t support the new provinces, but its a people’s wish, those people who had their provinces before 1843 british rule, when bahawalpur was the state it self. we sindhi people are not feeling well on seeing the division of punjab, because we know there are some people who are waiting for such thing, and they get the chance to demand for the new province in sindh.
PPP has raised that issue, PPP does not mean the sindhi people.
as a true pakistani we should respect all the nations,……….. and try to understand their social, cultural, and sentimental issues.
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@Bewildered Banda south Punjab:
“Please see the post by @Ubaid to know what the people of Bahawalpur desire. You perhaps have never visited south Punjab, I think. Otherwise you would not have given such a statement on behalf of people of Seraiki region.”
@Ubaid:
“Perhaps you are the one who hasn`t visited Bahawalpur.It is written all around,”Bahawalpur na multan,soba sirf seraikistan””
Please read the column of very respectable businessman Mirza Ishtiaq Baig, printed in Jang on May 9th – He is not a Punjabi, lives in Karachi and possibly belongs to PPP – where he describe his very recent visit to Bahawalpur and his meeting with Nawab and local elites. He clearly states that the Nawab and the local elites only want the restoration of the old Bahawalpur state as a province and do not want Multan and other Seraiki areas in Bahawalpur province.
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@ayaz bukhari:
“great to read your comment bro, i do agree with you entirely.”
You are welcome and Thank you. I only believe in Pakistani nationality (all races, casts, and creeds being equal) and believe in the wisdom and foresight of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and the philosophy of Allama Iqbal, the true heroes. I wish, every Pakistani should follow them instead of blindly following the current clan of self-serving blood sucking politicians whose only purpose in life is to perpetuate their, and their royal kids, rule no matter at what cost. And ironically enough, the mindless public, who they exploit so badly, willing let them do this again and again by voting them in. And in the meanwhile, the educated minority suffers for the actions of the ignorant majority.
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@Zzzz:
My brothers from Punjab, who said that the two provinces of Punjab will have separate Seante seats? If Bahawalpur wants a province it can have it but do you think that they will get separate Senate seats, answer is no!
The whole province of South Punjab ie Bahawalpur plus South Punjab are likely to get 22 extra seats and while Bahawalpur is likely to side with Lahore, Multan will tilt towards Sindh for sure.
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@MohAdnan: The creation of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh states /provinces out of Indian Punjab was more on ethnic & cultural lines than any other reasons or grounds. The Indians created Haryana for Haryanvi-speaking Hindus, considering their identity different from Punjabi Sikhs. Similarly the people of Himachal Pradesh got their state /province as they were culturally, linguistically & ethnically different from the Punjabi-speaking Sikhs.
Like-wise, the bsic intention or grounds, for the British rulers, for separating the areas of present KPK /NWFP from the Punjab in /around the close of 19th century were the history, culture & ethnicity. I want to make the learned Punjabi readers understand & recognize the identity of the people of Seraiki areas, inclusive of Bahawalpur.
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