FM Qureshi again invites Shehbaz, Bilawal for legislation on South Punjab

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi again wrote letters to President Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Shahbaz Sharif and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari urging them to cooperate on legislation regarding the establishment of the new South Punjab province.

Both letters were received in the respective chambers of the two leaders in the Parliament.

Qureshi's letters, writien as the vice-chairperson of the ruling PTI, was in continuation of the letter sent on January 19, which drew attention towards the longstanding and important matter pertaining to the creation of a separate province of South Punjab.

“As Vice-Chairman of PTI, I invited you to provide input on the way forward for reaching consensus on the formulation of a Constitution amendment bill for the creation of a separate province of South Punjab. Furthermore, I requested that two members be nominated for inclusion in a committee dedicated to the task of formulating a draft amendment bill for Parliament,” the letter stated.

The letter added that unfortunately, no response to the earlier letter had been received to date. Hence, the aspiration of the people of South Punjab remains unmet due to the lack of interest and will by elected representatives.

“As Leader of the Opposition/Chairman of a mainstream political party with representation in South Punjab, I would urge you to expedite your response,” the FM urged in his letters to Shehbaz and Bilawal. “I write to you again following the release of the South Punjab Regional SDGs Indicators Comparison with Centre and North' report prepared by the United Nations Development Programme in partnership with the South Punjab Secretariat.”

Read More: Qureshi writes to PPP, PML-N for cooperation on South Punjab

The letter further highlighted certain points of the reports in his letter regarding the region. It stated that about 55pc of the population was living below 50pc of median income (per capita) in the rural southern region of Punjab. It added that about 31% per cent of the population in the south is living below the national poverty line. Data showed only 56.2 per cent of the population uses improved sanitation facilities.

“More than a third of the children in South Punjab suffer from stunted growth. Infant mortality in South Punjab is higher than the rest of Punjab (43 deaths per 1.000 births).”

“This report reinforces the need for urgent action by all political parties. We must act now on the creation of a separate province of South Punjab. I remind you this is a long-standing aspiration of the people of that region and the primary impediment to the realization of this desire of 35 million people. is a Constitutional amendment that requires a two-thirds majority of Parliament,” the letter further stated.

Qureshi, who hails from Multan, reiterated his invitation to both leaders to work with PTI to put the future of 35 million people foremost and to reach consensus on the formulation of a constitutional amendment bill for the creation of a separate province of South Punjab.

“To this end, I await nomination of members from your party to be added to a committee, dedicated to the creation of the province, who will be tasked with formulating a draft amendment bill for Parliament,” Qureshi stated. “I look forward to your support in this matter of national importance.”