Fie photo of Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan. PHOTO: ONLINE/ FILE
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.”
COMMENTS (15)
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PML (N) is not sincere with South Punjab or Bahawalpur....more than 90 % budget use on upper Punjab... there are no jobs for South Punjab People... There are no funds for South Punjab.... Sardars and other agents of Punjab are responsible for that....
I do agree with Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan that PPP is not sincere with cause of Bahawalpur and using this as an Election "STUNT"
The elections are decided in the rural heartland of Pakistan and not by the urban elite. The urban population’s votes are already decided no matter what. From Karachi to Lahore most people already know who is going to win most of the different cities. However there is no other national party with presence in each province. PPP would get most votes of minorities, smaller sects, women, liberals and democrats by default. There is no other choice for these people as PML-N and PTI compete for the rightwing votes and are looking for coalition with parties like JI. The fact PPP and ANP are mostly targeted by the extremist terrorists and their sacrifices win them rural and all smaller group’s votes. None of such people would vote for Taliban apologists no matter what.
@Bahawalpur
Only outsiders from west of Punjab have been creating problems otherwise Punjab and Seraiki belt have had shared common ethnic groups like Rajputs, Gujjars and jatts since at least a thousand years.
Sir,you know who came here and settled and created problems for us 'locals'. Its about time they go back to their own land from where they came along with Mir Chakar Rind. We dont need them.
They wont be allowed to live in divided new Punjab. All because what PPP is doing.
Balkanization of Pakistan may turn out to be a reality and if people think it'll hurt Punjab then they are mistaken. Balkanization of Pakistan may be great for Punjab.
Punjab is finally getting the taste of its own medicine...for 6 decades people from East Pakistan,Karachi,Interior Sindh,Balochistan,KPK had to bear the cost of decisions made by a Punjab centric army...Interesting that one notes that the current collaboration is between politicians of Sindh,KPK,Karachi n Balochistan against the Punjab based PML N !
Punjab was divided 65 years ago. What's different this time, if it gives greater rights to their fellow brothers?
To Punjabis thinking its their homeland and can't be divided.YOU ARE WRONG. Seraikis are different. We want division from Punjab and nothing else. Stop claiming Seraiki belt as part of Punjab
@hasham: We will be happy within failed province rather than living in Punjab as subject to Lahore and GT Road cities.
Punjabis will not forgive PML N if this is allowed to happen. PML N has been ignoring Punjab - be it in NFC, 18th amendment (stupidity of signing on to unequal energy distribution), etc.
Now this party is falling pray to politics of PPP to divide Punjab.
If PML N messes this one up, they will have zero vote bank in Punjab.
We will not allow non Punjabis to divide Punjab. If they broke Punjab then I see Punjab becoming another Balochistan. Punjabis may not raise voice against Pakistan but It'll be last time Punjab will be broken and others especially outsiders must settle somewhere else.
@bhakkar no one is jealous and neither any thing or any evilness by the satans of the presisdent house can outshine punjab as long as punjabies are alive.and believe me if so called BJP is formed it will be the most failed province of Pakistan. by the way a very demoratic one ;]
First pml n aggresively oppose n then on people's high demand they take a u turn to lure people. From then use nasty tactics n back to back dul reasons to delay as much as possible the creation of new province. They forget the vote is in people's hand n we wil use it to show them our wil.
Good move, good timing PPP, PML-N is finding itself out of space. One side they promised a separate province to the people from that region, on the other they know that creation of southern Punjab as a separate province will lead to a challenge for them in northern and central Punjab! PML-N stop this game, start acting more maturely - let the southern punjab be a separate province - they also deserve to get infrastructure like lahore in multa :)
hye PMLN, you can not deny us our beloved provice any more. You have plundered us for decades; now have mery on poor Saraikis and let them get jobs as well. Bravo to PPP and our beloved president His highness Mr zardari. We love him and his wisdom alot.
Ch Nisar is scared that new province will outshine Punjab in prosperity and development. This is called jealousy.