HYDERABAD:
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf appears to have found common ground with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement as far as the creation of new provinces is concerned and has sought an amendment in the Constitution for the purpose.
“The present constitution has no room for creation of new provinces and the 18th Amendment has made it impossible for the centre to take any initiative,” PTI leader Makhdoom Javed Hashmi said at a press conference on Thursday. “If political leaders sincerely want to form new provinces, they will have to sit together for an amendment to the Constitution.”
The MQM wants to empower the federal legislatures by amending Article 239 (4), which has vested the provincial assemblies with the authority to form the province. The PTI, on the other hand, wants to replicate India’s States Reorganisation Commission to carve out new provinces in Pakistan.
Despite the difference, the two parties appear to have taken the same stance, which is to deprive the provincial assemblies of the right to make changes to their boundaries.
“The body which will be responsible for the reorganisation or alteration of the provincial boundaries should be formed at the Centre,” Hashmi said.
But he chose his words carefully to not give an impression that the rally for new provinces would also include a Mohajir province in Sindh, where the PTI is attempting to gain a foothold in electoral politics.
Hashmi said that the PTI is opposed to Sindh’s division even though it supports new administrative provinces elsewhere in the country.
“The PPP will frighten the electorate by warning that a Mohajir province will be formed if it is not voted back in power. And, the MQM will offer its voters the prospect of a separate province.”
He accused the political parties in the government of fanning the flames of ethnicity through the issue of new provinces. “The Punjab Assembly approved with thumping majority a resolution tabled for Multan and Bahawalpur provinces. Had the two parties been sincere for creation of these provinces, they would have brought a bill instead.”
The PTI leader said his party will organise a public meeting in Hyderabad on June 22, which will be addressed by party chief Imran Khan.
Published In The Express Tribune, June 8th, 2012.
COMMENTS (14)
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@Lala Gee: javed said that they should not point to a separate sindh province as then ppp would be able to gain support by scaring the sindhis opposed to it ! and no one wants the ppp back now do they ?
This seems a very rationale approach. The sensitive issue of provinces shouldn't be politicized otherwise it will be another pending item for many many years. It is good to evaluate it thoroughly with the independent commission. It is fact that few regions of country are kept off the fair distribution of resources. On other side, one province is more than half a country in population that is skewing the balance. Consensus should be developed at the high level like principles of administrative basis for provinces, allocation of resources etc rather than details. Let the Commission come up with details and recommendation. The problem of our country is that we don't concentrate on solutions but wast our energies and time on politics.
First PTI should become part of the political process instead of a spoiler...i am surprised how authoritatively they address, direct and judge on every issue and with so little understanding. This is the result when artificial snobs are parachuted in to guide the people....pity the nation
So much so for the provincial autonomy. So basically both PTI and MQM want to disenfranchise the provincial assemblies to have a say in the life and death decision of their existence. If this suggestion prevails and let say there is a question of dividing Sindh province into two, how would that work then. Federal commission comprising of majority votes from let say Punjab will decide to divide a province without local people from having any input. I guess Imran Khan is now a days writing a book, "how to start a civil war for dummies" ;)
There is noting bad about ethnicity.The real issue is devolution of power.Pakistan had all these years a highly centralized power structure.It is time to distribute it more equitably.And that seems to be the popular demand.Otherwise all parties would't be jumping on this bandwagon.
Sindhis and Pushtoon will not accept division of their proviences and if someone will try, there could be civil war.
MQM and PTI have bosses. PTI is talking on behalf of MQM. They have support of establishment for this cause. Only division of Punjab is possible because historically it is right of Saraiki population. They were always a seperate nation.
@Lala Gee: I don't think PTI is opposing the idea of formation of provinces in Sindh in concrete terms. Most likely, they want to de-ethnicize and de-politicize the issue first before the issue can be evaluated on rational basis. As of now, the issue has become too entangled in sentiments to have a logical debate around it.
@John: While you certainly have a point, if we look at the issue on technical basis through out history of Pakistan, we realize that some provinces have been over-allocated resources leading to grievances in others. One key benefit of formation of new provinces would be that 18th amendment based financial resource allocation will ensure reasonable fiscal equalization and hopefully equal access to opportunities. As of now, per capita govt. spending varies significantly between different provinces and cities.
"Hashmi said that the PTI is opposed to Sindh’s division even though it supports new administrative provinces elsewhere in the country."
What is bad for Sindh which is so good in the case of other provinces?
@John: Agreed
Hashmi said that the PTI is opposed to Sindh’s division even though it supports new administrative provinces elsewhere in the country.
This is the double standard of PTI ,on one hand they are supporting the formation of new provinces and on the other hand they are opposing Muhajar province in Sindh.Mr Imran and Hashmi are confused ,they should have a clear stand on division of provinces.
your leader afraid of elections - he wants every thing 'heavenly' as per his taste -he doesnt live in this countryI
Excellent suggestion. Now this is called a sensible approach!!! Well done PTI. Much mature behaviour than PMLN and PPP!!!