LAHORE:
The main opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party has called on a commission formed to initiate the carving out of two new provinces in Punjab to include two others as well.
After the National Assembly endorsed President Asif Ali Zardari’s request to form the commission and authorised the speaker to nominate six members from the house, a few top leaders of the Pakistan Peoples Party approached the PML-N to name its candidates, sources privy to the meeting told The Express Tribune.
According to the president’s reference, the commission will comprise six senators, six MNAs, and two members of the Punjab Assembly to look into issues related to the formation of two new provinces in Punjab and initiate the process of relevant amendments in the Constitution.
Earlier in May, the Punjab Assembly unanimously passed a resolution calling for the constitution of a commission to form South Punjab and restore the status of Bahawalpur, but the PML-N protested, asking for the creation of four new provinces.
Though the PML-N is not against the formation of the commission, it intends to put forward its conditions and is likely to opt out of it if their demands are not met.
Sources said both the prime minister and the leader of the Opposition in the NA, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, have been urged by the speaker to reach a consensus and finalise their nominees for the commission. Since Chaudhry Nisar is not currently in the country, he has left the matter up to the PML-N’s top leadership.
PML-N Deputy General Secretary Ahsan Iqbal said that on May 3, the party submitted a resolution in the NA secretariat pertaining to the formation of four new provinces. The resolution calls for the formation of four new provinces, including South Punjab, restoration of Bahawalpur province, and two others, Hazara and Fata.
Iqbal added that the president’s reference is only based on the resolution passed by the Punjab Assembly and that the PPP has the option to amend it or add new provinces. He added his party will not be a part of the commission if their demands are ignored.
Sources said that while the PPP is contemplating over the PML-N’s suggestion, it has not yet invited the Senate chairman to ask the leader of the house and of the opposition in the Senate to nominate six names for the commission. It is also yet to ask the Punjab Assembly speaker to give in two nominees and is waiting for a consensus to develop between the treasury and opposition benches.
PML-Q Senator Mohsin Leghari maintained that neither party is serious about the formation of new provinces and are using delaying tactics to win over the population of these areas.
The commission will look into issues related to the fair distribution of economic and financial resources; demarcation; allocation/readjustment of NA, Senate, and concerned provincial assembly seats on the basis of population. It will also deliberate over seats for minorities and women, and other constitutional, legal and administrative matters.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 15th, 2012.
COMMENTS (14)
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@AV Bhagowal: What is this thing about lack of recourses! Afghanistan- one of the poorest countries- has 34 provinces with a population of only 30 million people. Less than one million people have their own province. Do they have more resources than one million Pakistanis. People of Pakistan are the least empowered people in the world, just because of their docility and genetic trait of being easily subjugated. Turkey's 1.2 million people have their own province. Feudals are ruling Pakistan as British did for 180 years
Will making more provinces bring any change in the life of poor citizens?
Sadly interest of common man is the least important part of this exercise.
FATA jirga comprising elders from all agencies unanimously passed a resolution on 21 May 2012 to merge FATA with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Why does PMLN intrude where it does not have a mandate?!
I think the air has been escaped out from this baloon of new provinces. time will tell us.
@Ghaddar: not sure how many seats does MQM has in punjab assembly to qualify bringing a resolution for its division
Mark my words, PPP is not going to compromise on the formation of south punjub belt as It has the only chance to gain some seats there in punjab
PMLn has 3 seats in Pakhtunkhwa. They should first form 2 provinces in Punjab and then let the rulers of Pakhtunkhwa to decide for Hazara and FATA. I think they can't see Punjab to be divided thats why they are crying for Hazara and FATA.
It is requested to PML(N) to add the creation of South Pashtunkhwa in its demand list.
This is the best way to filibustering a national issue,if you do not wish to go either way.In fact these two big parties have themselves to blame for letting the cat out of the bag and now they do not know how to contain this demon! What was needed was decentralization in administrative and financial governance to less developed regions so that the people there had a sense of participation in decision making.By converting the grievances into political slogans, these parties are not in a position now to wriggle out of this dilemma.The country does not have resources to support the huge expenditure involved in setting up of new political-cum-administrative units ( bureaucracy is intrinsically glad on the prospects of new opportunities under Parkinson law) but the shortsightedness of self-inflating politicians led them to demand for something that they also know that would open a Pandora's box and create more unrest than peace in the country. Instead of pooling all efforts to improve the poverty among masses and augmenting democracy,they fell pray to spread poverty through more division. God help you and the people fated to be ruled by you.
A very complexed issue. Creation of any new province should be administratively and has financial resources. No political party is serious, just want to win the population. PML(Q) is after 7 billion development work funds. Give them more and win their sympathies to make more provinces. That's their politics. I wonder how Mushahid Hussain is standing with them.
The best way out of this new provinces problem will be to give every district province state, headed by elected representative - replacing mayor. This will be purely an administrative division, and eleminate all ethnic disputes.
Farce, farce, and another PMLN farce. Why are they conspicuously leaving out Karachi. Because of the MQM. Yes. What has the MQM done to anger the PMLN and PPP? "Politics makes strange bedfellows," said the late, great Z .A. Bhutto. Salams