University students belong to southern Punjab rallied outside the National Press Club on Thursday in support of the Seraiki province.
The student from Quaid-i-Azam University, University of Arid Agriculture, Federal Urdu University and International Islamic University, gathered at the National Press Club and marched towards the D-Chowk carrying banners and placards and chanting slogans for the rights of the Seraikis.
They said that any plan to delay the formation of Seraiki province or to divide the Seraiki region at this time will be detrimental to the federation. They added the idea of a referendum, as suggested by some quarters, makes little sense as all stakeholders are unanimous in their support for a separate province.
Mushtaq Gaadi, a Seraiki writer and activist, said, “We have struggled enough; now it is time to get our rights and identity.”
On Tuesday Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani had declared his “complete support” for the formation of a Seraiki province.
He said now is the perfect time to give an identity to the Seraikis. A bill on the Seraiki province is expected to be tabled in the National Assembly on Friday (today).
The Seraikis want the southern Punjab region consisting of Multan, Khanewal, Jhang, Muzaffargarh and Bahawalpur to be carved out into a new province.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 6th, 2012.
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@Xasir: No doubt the maximum political parties and using this issue for winning public support. But simple answer is we have capabilities of deciding independently we will be more effective in deciding what is best for us.
Another think is, i think you don’t have big picture of this whole issue. For hint please visit following link http://www.pmln.org/editorials/urdu_2533sarayki-sooba-naya-pandora-khul-jaye-ga.pmln
Thanks
@Xasir: No doubt the maximum political parties and using this issue for winning public support. But simple answer is we have capabilities of deciding independently we will be more effective in deciding what is best for us.
Another think is, i think you don't have big picture of this whole issue. For hint please visit following link http://www.pmln.org/editorials/urdu2533sarayki-sooba-naya-pandora-khul-jaye-ga.pmln
Thanks
I am saraiki, lived in saraiki wasaib, grew up their, studied there, BUT i think saraiki sooba will not in any way promote the welfare of saraiki wasaib. And all this halaabaloo now for saraiki suba by PPP and MQM and few politicians are listed below: 1. Saraiki politicians are eyeing lot of provincial cabinet seats and ministerial seats for them if saraiki suba is craved out. 2. PPP has lost its credibility and they have always made govts in centre based on voted they manage to get in southern punjab becoz interior sind dosent provide them with lot of seats to make govt at centre. 3. MQM is eyeing big change in sociological setup of saraiki region politics, and desperate struggle of saraiki youth for alternative politicians, as rise of PTI indicates (Also imran khan is native to saraiki wasaib as he is native of mian wali, native niazi tribe, who speak saraiki), so they want to present themselves as party of choice and want to benefit from changing circumstances. But, the salvation of saraiki provice lies in one things only, that is tax revenue mobilisation, which cannot be increased unless farm sector is taxed. (Saraikistan contributes 15% to gdp, of that 75% goes un-taxed on account of farm sector revenue.) Last thing, we dont ever ever want cherry picking parties to bring their politics to our land and decide for us.
Ridiculous!!!!!! Cant we all be Pakistani that is need of the hour ? Give rights to Balochis, Sindhis, Afghanis, Punjabis and most of all to the poor of the poor!!!!