Politics of new provinces: PML-N throws ball back into PPP’s court
A week after the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party blindsided the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz on the issue of South Punjab province, the PML-N outsmarted the latter with a jugglery of words.
On Wednesday, the PML-N hurried two resolutions through the Punjab Assembly calling for the creation of a South Punjab province and restoration of Bahawalpur’s old status, but through a ‘national commission.’
The opposition benches, led by the PPP, could not understand the resolutions, carefully crafted by provincial Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, until they were unanimously passed by the house.
While treasury members believed they had passed the resolution calling for new provinces, the resolutions in fact called for formation of a national commission which would deliberate over the new provinces.
The PPP had sought provincial nod for only one new province, South Punjab - a trump card they wanted to cash in on during the upcoming parliamentary elections.
However, by passing a unanimous resolution in favour of a national commission, the PML-N has thrown the ball back in the court of the PPP-led government at the centre.
One of the resolutions demanded the federal government constitute a national commission in order to execute the formation of a new South Punjab province.
The commission should decide issues regarding new provinces – like fair distribution of water and other resources and geographical boundaries – immediately. The commission should also be empowered to fulfil the process of formation of new provinces.
With regard to Bahawalpur, the second resolution called for restoring its old status of a province, because it is viable from historical, administrative, geographical, legal, and political viewpoints. Here too the resolution demanded that the province be restored through a national commission.
The opposition and treasury benches, before the start of the session, held a business advisory meeting in the speaker’s chamber where it was decided to table the resolutions.
Earlier, when Sanaullah submitted the two resolutions in the provincial assembly’s secretariat, they only stated a demand that the federal government take action under Article 239 of the Constitution.
It was only during the advisory meeting that the demand for a national commission was suddenly inserted in the resolution.
A triumphant Sanaullah, while talking to the media after the session, said that over 100 PPP MPAs now supported PML-N’s resolutions. He added that it was now for the federal government to form the commission, and that his party’s policy called for the immediate formation of new provinces.
Meanwhile, PML-Q’s Parliamentary Leader in the Punjab Assembly Chaudhry Zahiruddin Khan, while trying to perform damage control, said that the house has actually passed resolutions for the formation of new provinces. He added that the demand for a national commission was a ‘play of words’ which should be ignored.
“The demand for a commission to look into the matter will put (the issue) on hold indefinitely,” added Senator Mohsin Khan Leghari who hailed from South Punjab. He said that commissions and commission reports in Pakistan have a dubious history.
PPP’s Raja Riaz, on the other hand, contradicted his ally, saying that a commission is mandatory for the formation of any new province.
The PML-N often demands the formation of new provinces, but on an administrative basis only. The party, in its policy presented last year, had called for a commission, like the States Reorganisation Commission constituted in India in 1953, which should form new provinces after detailed study. PML-N’s manifesto committee has already suggested the formation of 13 new provinces countrywide.
Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated Mohsin Khan Leghari's designation as Pakistan Muslim League's leader instead of a Senator. The correction has been made.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 10th, 2012.
COMMENTS (11)
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I am amazed. We are talking about division of Punjab and Pakhtunkhwa but why are these leaders forgetting a simple fact....Karachi has exceeded it's population limit and should be given a province status and separated from Sindh.
MQM had spear headed the resolution for creation of new provinces and wrapped in the move was the futuristic design of creation of Karachi province. Yousaf Raza Gillani by asking for seraiki province played completely in MQM hands and this is what is the incompetency of these PPP walas. Hopefully the resolution for creation of a commission will frustrate these designs
I believe there should be new rules for the Senate allocation as well.I think overall its a good decision as Sindhi politicians always exploited the Punjabi's to become PM and normal Sindhi were devoid of any real protection due to exploited nature of Sindhi's politicians. Now with more provinces ,we will have even more provinces.Now Sindhi politicians would only bargain for its no of seats devoid of Kharachities.
PMLN is bluffing, it will never want Punjab to be bifurcated. This is all vote winning technique, and if it come to power (hopefully not), it will delay new provinces for as long as possible.
Credit for movement for new provinces goes to MQM, which was the first to support and put a legislative bill for new provinces.
PMLN stance is the best one that Provinces should be made on Administrative basis and everyone should stand by it. Other politicians of PMLN and PPP just want to create division on the basis of hatred to create a Sindh like Situtation to get votes based on Hatred.
Not so fast Pardner. PML N is not exactly known for its sagacity and acumen in the political realm, actually it is known for bad planning and not being able to predict the flow of political winds accurately. If need be, PPP can move with lightning speed to not only form a National Commission to ponder the question of forming new provinces but will also deliver conclusions favorable to PPP's requirements. Then, if the Punjab Assembly contravenes the proposals of the National Commission, it would be held responsible for the consequences. And, if the PPP is proposing the formation of Seraiki Province as a ruse to divert attention from its mismanagement of the nation, PML N has just provided PPP a convenient way to shy away from actual realization of the new province, and the blame of the failure will rest on PML N's shoulders. Way to go, Mian Sahib.
It is nothing but a political drama.
sensible approach to form new provinces
Two province or one it does not matter, however, a three way split would mean a tilt a massive imbalance in the Senate.
Thus the two provinces of Southern Punjab should have common seats in Senate, not separate ones.
These good for nothing politicians for their own ego do not stop at playing with the very fragile State. Instead of doing some good their are busy in scoring cheap points against each other.
Shame on them. I hope the people of Pakistan realize this and reject these parties in forth coming Elections.
Pakistan's future is bright and good provide we elect honest,sincere, and patriotic leaders. Other wise we will be signing our own death sentence.