New provinces: PML-N urges govt to set up ‘national commission’
The Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) on Monday called upon the government to set up a ‘national commission’ in consultation with the opposition to evolve a consensus over the idea of creating new provinces.
“We have asked the government to constitute a national commission having representation from all political parties irrespective of their representation in parliament,” said Senator Raja Zafarul Haq, following a meeting of the PML-N’s Special Committee on New Provinces.
“The committee has endorsed the policy on new provinces enunciated by Nawaz Sharif in his address to the PML-N General Council in Islamabad on July 27 that the country needs new provinces on an administrative basis,” Haq told The Express Tribune.
The meeting also discussed the volatile security situation in Sindh, particularly in Karachi, and the ‘political somersaults’ of the government on the local governments system.
Earlier, PML-N leader Javed Hashmi had said that Punjab should be divided into four provinces but not on ethnic or linguistic basis.
On the other hand, the Pakistan Muslim League Quaid (PML-Q) had submitted a resolution in the Punjab Assembly, demanding the creation of a Seraiki province.
However, the move for a Seraiki province has already been criticised by the people of the region. In this regard, former information minister Muhammad Ali Durrani of the PML-Q had stated that the creation of new provinces on a linguistic basis in southern Punjab would spark anarchy. Instead he had demanded that Bahawalpur should be given the status of province.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 9th, 2011.
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"The creation of new province siraiki is a plus point of the government. because it is a fact that punjabi speaking people are acting as the ruler of the province . Seraiki people and culture have been long ignored. Now it is time to compensate for the exploitation of punjabis. the whole of the industry , educational institutions and other facilities are congested in the punjabi speaking punjab . And the poor serakis have nothing. So it is a right decision. Nawaz group should avoid going against the wishes of the people of southern punjab.
For new provinces who will bear the planty. Providing security for MNAs, PM, President, Governers and MPAs. This is only for creating chance of more and more cruption.
The failed political leadership of Pakistan is not coming out of gimmicks. Since day one, the inept political leadership of Pakistan in combination with all time disreputable and corrupt bureaucracy has destroyed this beautiful country, which though created by the blessings of Allah but eaten savagely by its fire ants(Clerics) pests (Politicians) and termites (Bureaucracy). On a more serious note, like the “Jaghirs” of the “Jaghirdars” are shrinking after every new generation, the same is being applied for the umpteen number of new Provinces also. The proposed arrangements will have the following effects. 1. The power which had shifted to the provinces will become weak due to insignificant size of the provinces and once again Punjabi and Mohajir Bureaucracy will emerge strongly. This will be the reenactment of one unit of the West Pakistan. 2. The ruling Political families of Pakistan like there “Jaghirs” are now creating provinces for there kith and kin. Hazara Province for Omer Ayub Khan and Methab abassi., D I Khan for Fazal ur Rehman, Lahore for Nawaz Sharif, DG Khan for Khosa, Karachi for Altaf Bhai, Malakand for the new self proclaimed Wali of Swat, Mr Bomb Proof Amir Maqam. Think of a putrid face and you have a province for him. 3. Bureaucracy will be multiplied like cancer and all the funds available will be spent on the perks and privileges of the termites. Umpteen number of Chief secretaries, IGs, and score of secretaries. People of Pakistan should discard the new provinces and work hard to stabilize what is available. A strong Local Government system is the answer to the ills and not strengthening bureaucracy and dividing provinces.