Sana dismisses 27th Amend rumours

Says govt 'non-serious' about making any new province

LAHORE:

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah Khan has said the PML-N led federal government is "completely non-serious" about the 27th Constitutional Amendment and the creation of new provinces in the country.

Rumor mills went into overdrive about possible revival of the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) through another constitutional amendment after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formed a special committee on the merged districts.

The committee on July 1 initiated deliberations on revival of the traditional jirga system in former Fata, which was merged with the K-P in early 2018 through the 25th Constitutional Amendment.

The IPP, an ally of ruling PML-N, on Friday formally called for the creation of new provinces in the country, aimed at improving governance, public service delivery and overall administrative structure.

According to the statement, the party proposed that the existing four provinces may be divided further into three administrative regions each North, South, and Central.

Responding to a question with regard to these rumors and demands, Sana said the government is completely non-serious about these issues. "When there is no real news, such matters are floated," he added. Sana was talking to the media in Lahore on Saturday.

According to the adviser, PML-N President Nawaz Sharif during his address at Minar-e-Pakistan two year back said the way out of the crises which the country is facing is for all institutions to sit together.

"This year, on Independence Day, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif presented the Charter of Stability of Pakistan, which embodies political and economic stability that must be achieved through dialogue."

He said until all parties sit at the table and discuss the issues openly, matters will not be resolved. "Talks on the Charter of Stability must take place and reach their logical conclusion."

However, Sana claimed that Imran Khan, the de facto head of the country's largest opposition party, "spends a comfortable time in jail". "We have no objection if he is given two air conditioners, and even if his meals are ordered from the PC Hotel morning, afternoon, and evening," he quipped.

On the subject of arrests of PTI leaders and workers, he said: "Arrests and judicial decisions have no link with negotiations. Courts have the authority to decide, and the PTI has the right to appeal. If they get relief or face an adverse verdict, their criticism must remain within legal and constitutional bounds."

He said some of the PTI leaders had started inciting people even 25 days before its August 5 protest. "They kept saying August 5 would be taken to its peak. If violence or arson had taken place, responsibility could not have been denied."

Speaking about the May 9 acts of vandalism, he said every PTI leader and supporter moved towards specific locations on that day. "It was not just spontaneous—leaders at every level were saying, 'If there is Khan, there is Pakistan; he is the red line.'"

Sana said the current government will neither bypass anyone nor allow anyone to be bypassed.

He said nomination papers have been accepted for the upcoming by-polls and no objection was raised against the PTI candidate. "Elections will be held on September 9. This is a constitutional and legal process and a democratic and healthy tradition," he added.