The Parliamentary Commission for Establishment of New Provinces in Punjab has started seeking proposals from politicians and intellectuals.
Three politicians from southern Punjab and several intellectuals have presented suggestions in this regard.
A meeting of the commission was held in the Parliament House under the chairmanship of Senator Farhatullah Babar. On the occasion, Taj Muhammad Langah, Malik Kher Muhammad and Rafatur Rehman Rehmani gave their suggestions regarding formation of new provinces. The Pakistan Muslim League-N boycotted the meeting.
Talking to reporters, Senator Babar said that the three leaders presented problems related to economic condition and water resources in southern Punjab.
Senator Babar said that mandate of the commission was restricted to Punjab only. He said further the three southern Punjab representatives presented eight significant proposals.
Seraiki Party Chairman Taj Muhammad Langah told reporters that he had presented before the body 10 maps with regard to the history of Seraiki region. In the past, Seraiki region was an independent area and was a separate province.
He said that Multan was also a separate province under the Mughals, which was merged into Lahore in 1848. “We want to unite Seraiki region on linguistic basis. “In the Seraiki region, 21 districts of Punjab, two of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and two districts of Dera Ismail Khan and Tank are included,” he added.
Next meeting of the commission will be held after January 1, 2013.