ISLAMABAD:
Outflanked by the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party in the house on Thursday, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) submitted a resolution of its own regarding the formation of new provinces – calling for not one, but four, new federating units.
Interestingly, in addition to the proposal of a “South Punjab” province, as put forward by the ruling coalition earlier in the day, the PML-N also put forward the proposal of a “Bahawalpur” province. “Bahawalpur” and “South Punjab” have generally been used as substitutes for each other – with the PML-N favouring the former and the PPP favouring the latter, in the form of a ‘Seraiki’ province.
But the PML-N’s resolution calls for the formation of both.
The resolution submitted to the office of the Speaker National Assembly on Thursday calls for the formation of Bahawalpur, Federally Administered Tribal areas (Fata), South Punjab and Hazara provinces.
The move came hours after the PPP moved, and managed to pass, two resolutions in parliament – one calling for formation of a “South Punjab” province and another one reposing confidence in Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.
“Recognising the aspirations of the people of South Punjab, the former state of Bahawalpur, Hazara and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, this house resolves that four new provinces should be created to further empower the people and facilitate administration and economic development of these areas,” stated a two-page draft of the resolution submitted by the PML-N.
Unlike the PPP resolution, which called upon the provincial government to initiate the amending of the Constitution for creation of a new province, PML-N’s draft puts the responsibility on the federal government.
Opposition leader complains
Leader of the Opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan complained that the Speaker had taken up “such an important matter” without issuing prior notice to the PML-N.
“It’s against parliamentary norms. The rules have been violated by the Speaker,” Khan said. “We are not against the creation of new provinces but wanted to give our own input to parliament,” he added.
Khan suggested that the government form a commission to take up such issues.
It is our old demand that provinces should be created, but with consensus, he added.
He claimed there was “too much noise” in the National Assembly on Thursday and questioned how the Speaker determined who had voted in favour of the resolution.
“[Creation of a new province in Punjab] is a serious matter … we will not let the government take unilateral decisions,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 4th, 2012.
COMMENTS (9)
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There is no harm in having many newly created provinces if the intention is to administer them more efficiently with lesser expenditure.Further if such demarcation is nonpolitical and is likely to create patriotism and cohesiveness . I am afraid the intention of both major parties ie PPP and PMLN is not good and is selfish.If the provinces are created as advocated by them the newly created provinces will be financial liability ruled by one or two families similar to existing scenario in the four provinces.No benefit will filter down to poor. The issue is serious and needs input from all the stake holders.Parliament should not rush the matter. Their intention is to reward corrupt politician who protected them.
One thing is clear. Seraikis want their own province. If anyone has doubt , i would ask for a general vote on this issue. And by the way seraikis (20million) are mature enough to understand what is right and what is wrong for them. If there is issue of finances. Solution is easy. NFC should be re-enacted and seraiki provincial capital be developed with those funds.
Is n't there anyone who can differentiate between how much developed are Karachi/Hyderabad and rest of sindh (mostly termed as interior sindh). Are they equally developed? If the ruling party wants to detach southern punjab from Lahore with the argument that all funds are spent on Lahore or upper Punjab only then same is the case with interior sindh. They just want to divide the vote of ruling party in Punjab. They would never let sindh divide on administrative basis even, as that won't go in their favor. Punjab is still the best governed and administered province among all other provinces. The ruling alliance has no other achievement in their hand to claim in the next elections. So this is the only way to divide the vote in Punjab on linguistic basis.
@ Hassan awan, bro the suggestion is quite naive, just imagine the cost of shifting Provincial assemblies and all department/ministries headquarters every 10 years. In this cost, you can make a comprehensive development plan for smaller cities.
Where there is will, there is a way. These politicians have to show will rather than playing with public sentiment.
I have one idea. Since Problems in any province are due to bigger cities as most of the development fundings of the whole Province are spent on them so why not in new provinces make smaller underdeveloped cities as Capitals. In South Punjab rather than making Multan as a Capital why not make Dera Ghazi Khan or Muzzafar Garh etc as new candidates for capitals so that development could be shifted there. Similarly in Upper Punjab I think Lahore should be declared a separate state within a Province and we should transfer Capital out of Lahore in underdeveloped cities compared to Lahore like Sheikhupura or Chakawal or Sahiwal etc regions so that these cities could be developed as well. And in every ten years we could transfer a capital to new city which is underdeveloped in the province and in coming decades all of our decades will be well established and developed. Similarly in Future if In Sindh new provinces be made then Ghotki could be made a new capital and Khuzdar and Gwadar as new capitals in Balochistan to bring development to these regions.
I think it is high time Pakistan has new provinces not only will it lead to better governance the voices of the minorities will be heard.
@ Stenson I think there is well known research that has proven that small administrative units work way better then bigger units as the representatives are more tuned to the local populations need.Regarding your comment about Punjab being the best governed and stable province, that is because it has most funds diverted towards it and I dont agree that both south and north Punjab has equality in terms of follows of funds or representations. Punjab does not constitute Lahore , Faisalabad , Pindi , Gujranwala it has cities like Boraywala , Chistiyan , Khanewal etc which are not so well governed as you might think , I know both parties are trying to politicise this very important issue and they are not doing this as well wishers rather they want a share of the pie or just play on the sentiments of the people to gain votes. Its simply pathetic as to how far our politicians can go to fulfil theirs personal motives.
Look at the intelligence of this lot. Rather than stopping the Partitioning of the Punjab, PMLN is Partitioning the whole of Pakistan. Are these the people that Jinnah created and left Pakistan too. Shame on all Pakistanis who were dancing in the streets. Dher inch ki Masjid is all they are going to get. Then they expect the world to respect Pakistanis????
PMLN and every party should only support creation of new provinces based on Administrative basis. Bahawalpur is administrative so it is ok. South Punjab is Administrative so it is ok. If Hazara can also confirm that Hazara is for everyone weather there are Pakhtoons living there or Hazaras then there is nothing wrong in it. But in my View Fata could be merged with KPK in future as it is good administratively as Fata is vertical on the map and it is better to merge with KPK and then take the decision. Anyway it is just a start and we hope a discussion will prevail for new provinces in Pakistan which will make Pakistan more stronger and administratively more manageable.
How does creating new provinces create good governance? Improve what Pakistan has instead of creating another cadre of provincial official. Punjab is already the best governed and stable provinces in Pakistan. Why does anyone want to create a South Punjab, Muhajir Suba in Karachi etc. Makes no sense to me.