PPP using Bahawalpur province issue as a stunt for next elections: Chaudhry Nisar

Opposition expresses serious reservations over commission formed for Bahawalpur province.

ISLAMABAD: The ruling Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) government is not sincere in the formulation of a South Punjab and a Bahawalpur province and is only using the issue as a “stunt” ahead of the upcoming general elections, said Leader of Opposition in National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Sunday.

Speaking to the media in Islamabad, Chaudhry Nisar said that the opposition has serious reservations over the Bahawalpur commission as it did not have any representation from Punjab – a province that is being divided. “If they [government] had consulted us before making the commission, then they wouldn’t have anything to boast about before the next elections,” he maintained.

Not even one of the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) leaders who were members of the commission belonged from the Punjab that is being divided, said the opposition leader, adding that it was the party’s right to choose a member on its own. “The chairman of the commission is [President Asif Ali] Zardari’s staff officer... There is no MNA, MPA or senator from Punjab.”

The opposition leader added, “The commission has no right to call itself a ‘national commission’ because it had no representation from Punjab and from PML-N. It was not even formed by the federal government, Zardari formed it, which is wrong.”

Chaudhry Nisar also said that the formulation of a new province is not a matter of grave concern as there are other major issues in the country. “If a South Punjab province is formed, Makhdoom will become its chief minister and Gilani will become the governor. The problems of the poor people will remain as they are.”