Youth rally in support of Seraiki province
Say delaying tactics will be detrimental to the federation.
ISLAMABAD:
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.
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.