Self determination: PTI leader for Bahawalpur province

PTI leader said Bahawalpur had historically been a separate unit but was merged with Punjab by General Yahya

BAHAWALPUR:

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leader Sardar Assef Ahmed Ali on Tuesday expressed support for the restoration of Bahawalpur province and said that he would raise the issue in his party’s meetings in the coming days. He was speaking to the media at Sadiq Garh Palace, Dera Nawab Sahib, on Tuesday after meeting Bahawalpur National Awami Party chief Nawab Salahuddin Abbasi.

PTI leader said that Bahawalpur had historically been a separate administrative unit but was merged with Punjab by General Yahya Khan on disintegration of One Unit in 1970. He said Bahawalpur’s case for self determination under the federation of Pakistan was stronger compared to demands for south Punjab and Seraiki provinces. He said his party had yet to evolve a policy on the restoration of Bahawalpur province.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 21^st, 2012.