PPP to move resolution for south Punjab province in PA
Talking to the media after inaugurating the Paksat-1R Communication Control Facility at Kala Shah Kaku, Gilani said that Nawaz Sharif had supported the proposed creation of a new province when the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief gave a speech in Dera Ghazi Khan in October.
(Read: Nawaz Sharif backs creation of new provinces)
The Prime Minister said that the demand for a separate province was a longstanding one for the people of south Punjab. He added that the new province could be given any name as it made no difference.“One can give any name to a flower but its fragrance remains the same,” he added.
Gilani said that centuries ago, south Punjab was a separate province having different traditions, values, culture and customs to north Punjab.
(Read: A mystical journey into the rich cultural heritage of south Punjab)
He said the democratic process could not be contained, and those, who wanted to do politics or hold processions and public meetings, could do so. The PPP would rather facilitate them instead of obstructing such acts. However, Gilani advised, political parties should not issue statements that hurt the sentiments of others, he added.
Responding to a question about the statements of PML-N for overthrowing the Federal Government, he said,“We have been hearing such statements since 2008 and if they [the PML-N] have the strength to topple the PPP-led democratic government, they are free to do so.”
Gilani added that the PPP has been bifurcated in Punjab just to ensure an effective communication for party re-organisation at grassroots level, especially in rural areas.
(Read: Structural shifts: PPP bifurcates its Punjab chapter)
Replying to another question about Imran Khan’s demand for declaration of assets by politicians, the Prime Minister said that it was Imran’s democratic right, however, he should know, “no one (politician) can become a member of parliament without declaring his/her assets details before the Election Commission.”
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creation of new provinces will not solve anything but to increase ministries and bureaucratic posts. yah decentralization is the essential thing. we all knew, ppp is making it election issue yet without amendment in 1973 no one can change it. zia wanted to creat 100 provinces, centralist forces r in favor of division of provinces so that civil military bureaucracy can play easily and no province can challenge them. centralization is harmful for Pakistan.
If the people of southern Punjab want their own province their demand should be honoured. Population of Punjab is more than the combined population of other three provinces. Division of the Punjab will improve the governance and will further strengthen the federation. It is long standing aspiration of the people which ought not to be hindered merely due to political expediencies. We must learn to respect the wishes of the people before it is too late.
right
The reason USA is a stable country is people have complete autonomy and they manage their own affairs. Rhode Island, Hawaii, Vermont, Dakotas, Wyoming and some states have a tiny fraction of the size or population of California, Texas or NY. However, these states have an equal power to those of the huge states by having equal (2) senators each in the most powerful institution US Senate. Having so much power why would these tiny states of Rhode Island, Hawaii, Vermont, Dakotas, or Wyoming would want to leave the federation or complaint about being ruled by the big states from far away. The more local control and autonomy means good governance and less complaint vs. being ruled by far off cities. One of the worst steps was “One Unit” in which all West Pakistani provinces were merged into one. What happened to that? It only created hatred and had to be dropped for ever. What is wrong to empower local people so they can manage their own affairs instead of complaining against the remote control? Why are tiny Gulf States living peacefully and happily in one union called UAE? Their language, culture, religion, race and most all is the same but they want to maintain their own control in a loose federation. Why the tiny states of Dubai, Sharja, Abu Dhabi, etc., are not merged? No wonder they are all happily together while managing their own affairs locally.
@anybodyagree: Previous one unit led to break up of Pakistan? Some people somewhere think that land in Sindh, Balochistan and KPK is occupied by Sindhies, Balochs and Pathans,unless land is not freed from them ....some people from some where cannot occupy their lands and resources!!!!!!!!! one unit..... grow up people don't let you make Kalabag dam and you are thinking about one unit
Why not have 8 provinces, PKP to have Hazara, Baluchistan to have one, Sindh into two, each ethnic group be happy as we are all different, how about along the lines of ethnicity, religion, sec. Divvy it up.
Where are you from? I am from south Punjab and but have been studying in Lahore for last 4 years. Let me tell you the two places have almost entirley different demographics, different local cultures and traditions and different language. Jatts and Araians you are talking about are not originally from south punjab, they have migrated to south punjab, South Punjab has majority of people belonging to baloch, malik, sayyarh and khar castes. You can't base your opinion on religious grounds, religion can never be a reason to keep people together (1971 is a clear demonstration of that), then sure the Jatts and Araiain of south and north punjab have similarities, but then people of indian and pakistani punjab have lot more similarities, more than punjabi and Sindhis, then shouldn't they be together in some state? Demand for a southern punjab province is an administrative need, (you must have witnessed how punjab gov badly failed even to organize the exams for the students). And as far as PPP's vote bank goes, it still enjoys strong hold in those areas and use this to make a strong opposition in the Punjab Assembly so if anything, PPP would not be a political winner if it supports the movement for a separate province. @nasir jamshed:
For God Sake please don't divide Pakistan further, make one unit . . . .