THIS is apropos of Fatima Siddiqui’s letter ‘Creating new province’ (Jan 8). The writer says that there are many outstanding issues like poverty and loadshedding, and asks why this issue has come up now. I would like to say that it is the government’s responsibility to look into all outstanding issues simultaneously. It should not abandon one because it is busy in solving another. And this is an important issue.

She further says it is time for uniting the people rather than creating parochial, ethnic, linguistic and regional differences.

Creating a new province will make governance easy, it won’t divide the people.

A division is being created through the status quo.

If a person hugs another person who doesn’t like the first person, it will never ensure love and unity between them. It will further alienate them.

The Seraiki people are extremely unhappy with Lahore’s government, as I found out during my travel on a train with some Seraikis.

This should not be considered a step to divide the people of Pakistan. Keeping your distance is crucial in maintaining a good relationship.

I think the government should play its part and give all people in the federation their due rights.

MUHAMMAD YOUNIS SOOMRO Hyderabad

Some suggestions THE issue of more provinces is not new. In 1972, we as a group of Bhutto sympathisers prepared a submission to Mr Bhutto recommending that the country be divided into nine provinces and to dispense the parliamentary form of government with a presidential form.

It is, therefore, suggested to the prime minister that he immediately constitute a commission to investigate with the help of the people of Pakistan as to how many provinces this country requires which will provide good governance, eliminate poverty and take interest in the development of education, health services so that the country becomes financially viable and public grievances can be minimised.

The basis for the provinces should be the following:

Will of the people; language, tradition, culture and historical background; natural boundaries wherever possible; working of the irrigation system, utilising water reservoirs, communication and access to remote areas; utilisation of power and minerals.

In view of constraints and circumstances, some areas have to be created as federal areas for a specific time. It is also suggested that committees should be composed of the following:

Experts in languages, heritage, history and culture of the races/nationalities residing in the area. Possibly a senior professor from a local or foreign university who is a Pakistani representative for the survey of Pakistan, one expert each from water and power, one expert each of administration, finance, revenue, etc., and one person of integrity to be coordinator/chairperson.

The committee should be given nine months to a year to formulate a comprehensive report, recommending the number of provinces, justification and complete detail of the area, population and an abridged history of races/nationalities.

This should be submitted to the cabinet (parliamentary committee) which, if unsatisfied, may return to the committee or place its recommendations to a joint session of parliament for discussion and voting.

IKRAM UL HAQUE Lahore