Malik questions whether elected representatives can override people's verdict in a referendum

Terms Salik controversy a storm in a teacup

LAHORE:

Providing the missing link to Mohsin Naqvi's suggestion for a referendum on the question of provinces, which appeared to be in contradiction with the Constitution of Pakistan, Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan on Friday termed bypassing the provincial assembly a constitutional question, asking whether elected representatives could override the will of the people if they directly expressed their desire for the creation of new provinces through a referendum, saying that the people were sovereign and their representatives could not negate their expressed wishes.

Malik raised the question a day after Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi proposed holding a referendum to seek public opinion on the creation of new provinces. His position appears more aligned with that of the powerful quarters.

Speaking at a ceremony in Lahore, Malik said the Constitution provided for provincial assemblies to move resolutions concerning the creation of new provinces. However, he questioned whether elected representatives could oppose the people's decision if they themselves had expressed their wishes through a referendum.

Referring to the Pakistan Peoples Party's position that the Sindh Assembly was a stakeholder in any proposed division of Sindh, Malik argued that if the people of the province expressed their desire for a separate province through a referendum, the question would arise as to what position the provincial government or assembly could take against their wishes.

He said the matter involved a constitutional question and required constitutional interpretation.

The Speaker also expressed support for the creation of smaller administrative units, saying they were necessary for improved service delivery. However, he said he was a strong advocate of a Provincial Finance Commission and maintained that effective local governments were essential for self-rule.

Read: Presidency denies discussion on new units with Naqvi

On the controversy surrounding Federal Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain's remarks about corruption in Punjab, Malik described the matter as a storm in a teacup that again indicted his own CM Maryam Nawaz Punjab and her ministers who had reacted aggressively to a seemingly generic remark.

He said he had advised Salik against making remarks concerning alleged corruption under the Maryam Nawaz-led Punjab government. However, Salik had asked him whether he had listened to his complete interview.

Malik said he had initially heard the minister's remarks about widespread corruption but maintained that allegations of corruption in government departments should be examined in the context of the government's anti-corruption efforts.

Describing corruption as a societal problem, he said the government needed to be assessed on the measures it was taking to eliminate the menace. He referred to the anti-corruption initiatives being pursued by the federal and Punjab governments, saying Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz were committed to eradicating corruption.

Read more: Bilawal and I 'almost' on same page over 'system reset': Naqvi

The Speaker also praised Maryam Nawaz's development initiatives, saying government projects were being implemented without political discrimination.

Citing examples from his constituency, he said political opponents had also benefited from initiatives such as the tractor scheme and road construction projects, maintaining that the chief minister's development programmes were not restricted to supporters of the ruling PML-N.