Specialist input: Experts want Bahawalpur merged in Seraiki province
A majority of experts invited by the parliamentary commission on new provinces have voted for a single Seraiki province comprising the entire South Punjab region and Bahawalpur, keeping the issue’s “historical and geographical” perspective in mind.
“Historically, Bahawalpur was a part of South Punjab. Its independent history is not too old compared to its lifespan in the Seraiki region,” said a member of the committee, asking not to be named, quoting a local Seraiki intellectual who argued in favour of a single Seraiki province in south Punjab with the inclusion of Bahawalpur.
He was invited among others by the commission to give their views regarding the fate of Bahawalpur in the creation of the new Seraiki province in the southern belt of Punjab during a meeting on Tuesday.
In the last two meetings of the commission, at least seven experts have voted for a single Seraiki province while two have demanded a separate province for Bahawalpur, said the official, adding that so far a majority was in favour of Bahawalpur being included and integrated with the Seraiki province.
The member who was present in the meeting said that experts invited to speak on the issue and present their viewpoints included intellectuals, poets, academics, political figures and other senior citizens from the region.
They have maintained that both historically and geographically, Bahawalpur was an integral part of the South Punjab region and therefore it should be made part of the new Seraiki province to be created in the region.
“In fact, then ruler of Multan gave Bahawalpur independent status in reward for its Nawabs’ obedience. Its history was not more than 100 years old at best,” said the member quoting one of the experts.
However, former MNA Muhammad Ali Durrani, sources said, objected to their suggestions and demanded that Bahawalpur either be given the status of a separate province or its status as a state should be restored.
The commission headed by Senator Farhatullah Babar heard the suggestion and decided to take both into account.
The commission has invited more suggestions from the people of the region including the general public.
“Through advertisements we have asked people to come forward and give their opinion,” said another member of the commission. He revealed that the people who have come forward so far included those who have been part of a long struggle for a separate Seraiki province for decades.
The commission has so far not considered the administrative matters related to the division of the existing region. “That is the more complicated part. But we will take all the details related to the administrative side of the issue before taking it up for discussion,” said the commission member.
The next meeting of the commission, which comprises members of the National Assembly and senators, will be held next week on December 24.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 19th, 2012.
COMMENTS (10)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
@DevilHunterX:
Yes Pakistan was part of "British India" and "British India" was part of "British Empire". What does that mean. Entire Pakistan was also part of Afghan Durrani Empire in 18th century (before the British). So please leave discussion of provincial boundaries (which is internal to Pakistan) to us Pakistanis.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:BritishIndianEmpire1909ImperialGazetteerof_India.jpg
http://www.afghan-web.com/history/empire.html
@MAD
I agree with your point of view. Administrative division makes most sense.
Historically Pakistan was part of India, so following that logic...Oh Sh...
The Commission should address the key issues of devolution to divisions, and financial viability.The revenues and judicial issues make public travel to provincial headquarters. These must be addressed at divisional levels. Because of the current situation security can be left to provincial governments.The bottom line is which powers go to divisions and which ones to provincial governments. The Commission should also consider whether new provinces can have financial resources to manage the subjects allotted to provinces under the Constitution.
By the way who are the so called expert ?.
what is historic perspective............are these people so foolish to only consider past and forget about future.
Quite frankly, before independence, whole of Pakistan was part of india......so what. Bhawalpur should be made a separate province..........it was managed very well by the nawabs and can be managed well again by honest and sincere administration.
there should be totally new provinces say 20 by merging different provinces so that ethnic issues are curbed once for all.
Pakistan has 27 divisions. Do away with these useless provincial assemblies. make governance at division level. far more focused and far more useful, that way everyone will be happy.
All the provinces must be divided into small manageable states based on administrative management and other basic facilities. Division must base on neutral commission recommendations irrespective of any short term or long term political interest, ethical issues but purely in the best interest of public services and a peaceful, prosperous and civilized Pakistan.