Provincial assembly: No consensus on new provinces in Balochistan
The resolution aimed to address the issue of new provinces on a political rather than an ethnic basis.
Abdul Khaliq of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Sheikh Jaffar Khan Mandokhel of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid had tabled a joint resolution asking the federal government for an immediate solution to the issue of new provinces. Debate on the topic was creating a negative impact, they added. The country is already suffering from serious crises and it can not afford more by making new provinces, the leaders said.
Support for this view was far from unanimous however. PML-Q member Habibur Rehman Muhammad Hasani, Awami National Party member Zamaruk Khan, Balochistan National Party-Awami leader Syed Ehsan Shah and independent members Abdul Rehman Mengal and Mir Zahoori Buleidai were in support of creating a Seraiki province.
Hasani added, however, that if a new Seraiki province is constituted, Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur should be merged with Balochistan. According to Hasani, the regions were ‘historically’ and ‘traditionally’ a part of Balochistan.
During the proceedings, PML-Q member Tariq Masoori Bugti said the debate over new provinces is a ‘political stunt’. “Rulers have failed to solve problems, that’s why they are raising different issues to divert people’s attention from real issues and conceal their failure,” he said.
Two other independent members, Mir Shah Nawaz Marri and Sardar Aslam Bizenjo, also said this issue had been raised purely for political mileage.
Journalists stage walk-out
Journalists staged a walk-out during the proceedings in protest of the killing of journalist Munir Shakir in Khuzdar.
Provincial ministers Haji Aynullah Shams, Abdul Rehman Mengal, Shahnwaz Marri and Hammal Kalmati came forward to negotiate with the journalists in order to persuade them to end their boycott.
After receiving assurance from the ministers that an investigation would take place into the murder of Shakir, the journalists ended their boycott. The ministers promised to set up a committee to probe the killing.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 17th, 2011.
COMMENTS (4)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1734606611-0/Express-Tribune-(8)1734606611-0-270x192.webp "sindh govt announces public holiday")
1734587529-0/Express-Tribune-(1)1734587529-0-270x192.webp "pakistan to host another icc event")
1731295009-0/Untitled-design-(38)1731295009-0-270x192.webp "white supremacist nick fuentes claims assassination attempt at home suspect killed by police")
Pashton have Ruled this Area and Khan of Qalat is Mohammad Zai Pashton,
Before making highflying comments about making or not making new provinces, could some one visit the opinion of the people of Saraiki area and ask them if their rights are not being usurped by Lahore. Sraiki Punjab contributes to about 45% of Punjab’s economy, whereas till recently hardly 10% was being spent over there for development purposes. Anyone is welcome to visit Southern Punjab and notice the roads and communication, and then Bhawalpur area and notice the narrow broken down roads even the famous main avenues. Visit the Govt offices in Saraeki belt and notice majority officers and even lower grade employees and peons are from outside Southern Punjab. All the opinion makers and high and low flying real and pseudo-politicians and columnists should first talk to the people of these areas demanding separate entities, look into the ADPs (Annual Development Programs) of Punjab for the past 10 – 20 years and notice the huge discrepancy in the revenue generation of Seraiki areas . Notice the discrepancy in jobs allocation, number of ministers from these areas, conditions of living, health sector, education etc etc. If the people of these areas demand better control on their assets and earnings then why is everyone so angry at these underserved and abused people?. Why to blame opposition party for hatching conspiracies against them? Why to show reluctance while fulfilling the legitimate demand of Saraeki people.
@A J Khan: You are essentially asking for South Pukhtoonkwa. If this happens, it will be the second biggest mistake. The first was to name nwfp to kpk.
These ethnic mindset must be drstroyed - Or it will destroy us!
Come what may, Balochistan will be bifurcated on historic and administrative basis. A Pashtun majority Chief Commissioner province which existed before 14 Aug 1947 till 1970 has been sacrificed. It was the chief Commissioner province which voted for Pakistan. In 1970, General Agha Mohammad Yahya Khan annexed the state of Kalat to the Quetta division and created Balochistan. Since then it has created troubles for its inhabitants and Pakistan. Today the people are living in a state of anxiety. They are killed for their ethnicities and languages. The development has come to stand still. Agriculture has been destroyed by continuous blasting of electric pylons. Roads are not safe because of kidnappings and car lifting. No one can move out for fear of being killed or kidnapped for ethnic reasons. Non Balochs are living as slaves. Political balance has been unnecessarily been tilted towards Brohi and Balochs. Majority is being converted into minority. All these are recipes of disaster. This could be termed as a prelude to civil war in Balochistan. Two type of internal displacement is taking place. 1. All non Balochs are being forced to move out of Baloch areas. 2. Mass migration of Balochs to Quetta to change the demography of the area funded by provincial government with evil designs. Though it is the constitutional right of every Pakistani to live where ever he wants, however this constitutional clause is being violated through violence and provincial government funding