ISLAMABAD:
The federal and Punjab government are poised for a potentially explosive showdown, with the centre pushing ahead on the key issue of new provinces despite protests by the country’s largest federating unit.
Punjab had announced that it had reservations about the composition of a newly-constituted commission tasked by the centre with finalising the creation of new provinces – with the Punjab assembly speaker going as far as saying that it could take the matter to court.
However, the commission has ignored these threats and objections – and, on Saturday, announced that its first meeting will take place next week, on August 28. This is despite the PML-N’s stand that it will abstain from the proceedings of the meeting. The absence of PML-N, which currently governs Punjab and is the leading opposition in the centre, from the major national undertaking is set to cause plenty of conflict.
Following the federal government’s announcement, Chief Minister Punjab, Shahbaz Sharif, took to the micro-blogging website, Twitter, to vent his frustration.
“Federal government neither consulted on new provinces nor took us into confidence regarding national commission for division of Punjab,” said a tweet posted on the official account of Shahbaz Sharif.
“If the division of provinces is inevitable, a uniform policy should be pursued throughout the country,” said another tweet from Shahbaz.
The issue
In July, President Asif Ali Zardari asked Speaker National Assembly Fehmida Mirza to formally initiate the process of carving out two separate provinces in Punjab.
On August 16, the speaker announced a 14-member commission which included six members each from Senate and National Assembly. The remaining two members were supposed to be nominated by the speaker of the Punjab Assembly, a request which was ignored by Punjab Assembly Speaker, Rana Muhammad Iqbal.
However, the PML-N has, at the last moment, pushed for more representation for Punjab in the commission, which has the all-important mandate to look into issues relating to the fair distribution of economic and financial resources, demarcation, allocation or readjustment of seats in the National Assembly, Senate and the concerned provincial assembly. In addition to this, they are supposed to look into the allocation of seats in the new province on basis of population, including seats of minorities and women among other constitutional, legal and administrative matters.
The PML-N has also said that it is not only Punjab that should be carved up – insisting that the government recognise the demand for the creation of a Hazara province in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa as well. In addition to the PML-N, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has also pushed this point. However, the proposal was strongly opposed by the Awami National Party (ANP), which is in power in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and also a coalition partner of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
In May, the Punjab Assembly passed two resolutions pertaining to the creation of a South Punjab province and the restoration of Bahawalpur province.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 26th, 2012.
COMMENTS (23)
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Elections are close and since the government didn't know anything worth deserving a second chance, now they'll try to split pakistan further into provinces and try to collect few votes based on racism and ethnicities. Just what you'd expect from a government with no foresight and future plans.
PML-N needs to show some backbone. Punjab is not to be divided ever.
Keep this map intac,pleaset.It gives us(The Saraikis) the hope that one day we will have our own province out of jaws of hegemonic "takh e Lahore".
This map , showing bicurcation of Punjab, is provocative .
Please show some other image .
@Jibran: It's was a silly and ill thought resolution. They need to now reverse it with a resolution that Punjab, a federating unit of Pakistan , is not to be divided.
PML N needs to take a clear cut stand.
@Anonymous: PML N should now pass a resolution saying that the integrity of Punjab is inviolable
What an ignorant comment. PML-N has already passed a unanimous resolution to the contrary to split the provinces into 2. How can it go back on this.
PML-N thinks after it does something. Punjab is the only province, whose assembly has passed a resolution to divide itself. PML-N can't deny this fact. With the Provincial Assembly agreeing by 2/3rd majority, all it needs is a 2/3 majority in the NA to make the necessary change in the constitution. That's it!
We hear this news every second day. The actual question should be, is anything even happening or is it all talk? I am sick if reading the same lines over and over again. You want to make a province, just damn get it done with, for goodness sake. What are these useless daily headlines for?
The PMLN is playing delaying tactics. Government should move forward and hold sessions of the commission. The formation of new provinces would need Constitutional amendments thus the notion that parties with strong representation in parliament should be left out is absurd.
PMLN does not have a simple majority in the Punjab assembly and parties representing Punjab that is PMLN, PPP and PMLQ form 75% of the commission. What's the fuss then?
This is not right time for new provinces, commission will make division in heart of people
Dividing just Punjab is not the solution , but dividing in such a way is just to get Political advantage and make this province a week one , which is till today one of the top ranked provinces in any means . Compare Sindh ( TERRORISM, VADERA ) , Balochistan ( GOVERNMENT has no writ ) , KPK ( ARMY Operations , Even they do not compromise on moon ) ........... PUNJAB ( Tell me any issue of Punjab which is not in any other province ) .
If want to Divide Punjab Province , then must go for 27 Provinces of Whole Pakistan , Make Authorotative Units.
Results : More Cities , More Opportunities , More Powerful Public , 27 States Power , More Leaders , Better Analysis and Monitoring of Corruption in Mico way .
Dividing Punjab without the representation of Punjab ruling party is an election stunt which can hit back and weaken the country.
Make the districts as provinces. Our politicians MPA's and MNA's are happy with the development funds only hence it will be better to provide them at the district level this opportunity.
Long live the King and the Sindh based parties who want only the division of Punjab.
Division for the sake of politics and elections will be short sighted. It must not be done in haste. Lets learn a lesson from the division of India that was done with 'indecent haste'.
It's about time PML N took a tough stance.
Well yu are dividing me(punjabi) and I am not even invited!
don't divide, don't ever do that,it's always a self defeating move. divide and rule policy is good,but it cannot be sustained for long,in the long run the rulers will have to pay the price of dividing what was once united.
I feel this is an ill thought of move for cheap political gains.The move to make new provinces needs more cool mature thinking