Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Friday said the government would extend all out support to the bill or the resolution aimed at the creation of new provinces in the country, and the government had achieved two-third majority consensus for the establishment of Saraiki province.
Speaking in the National Assembly, he said elected representatives from Saraiki and Hazara regions had held discussions with him on the issue, adding that his party was also in favour of the creation of a new province. He said after consultations, consensus had been developed on the creation of Saraiki province and “we should not miss this opportunity to remove the sense of deprivation of the people of the area”. He said several resolutions were moved in the Punjab Assembly regarding the creation of Saraiki province, but the provincial assembly refused to discuss the issue.
“Therefore, we have resorted to the National Assembly to fulfill the demand of the people of the area,” he said. About Hazara province, the prime minister said he had referred the matter to the manifesto committee to evolve consensus on it. However, “We should not come under the influence of any spoiler to miss opportunity for the creation of the Saraiki province,” he said. “There is complete consensus on it and if we fail this time, the people of the area will never forgive us,” he added. Summing up his debate on new provinces, Gilani said, “No province can come into existence by tabling a resolution for only making headlines.” Assuring his government’s support for the issue, the PM said he was not just in a statement gimmick; instead, the government was taking solid measures. Talking to reporters after the session, MQM Parliamentary Leader in the NA Dr Farooq Sattar said the nation should witness the consequence of a serious attempt by his party.
Addressing the issue on the floor earlier, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Khurshid Shah said the PPP-led government would bring a bill for Saraiki province in southern Punjab in the next session, which after proceedings, would be sent to the provincial assemblies that have the authority to decide on such issues in accordance with the law. “If a consensus is reached on Hazara province; a bill will be tabled in this regard as well,” he added.
