PML-N presses for four new provinces
Threatens to boycott commission if its demands are not met.
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.
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.