LAHORE: The Bahawalpur National Awami Party (BNAP) and the PML-Q have demanded that the government restore Bahawalpur as province before its tenure expires on May 31 otherwise they will launch a movement.

Speaking at a joint press conference along with PML-Q Secretary General MNA Tariq Bashir Cheema, former federal minister Muhammad Ali Durrani, Jamaat-i-Islami MPA Dr Waseem Akhtar and PML-Functional Punjab President Makhdoom Ashraf Iqbal at the Muslim League House here on Wednesday, BNAP President Nawab Salahuddin Abbasi said the people of Bahawalpur would launch a movement if the resolution about restoration of Bahawalpur province was not implemented.

He said Bahawalpur province could be restored in just three days. “The PML-N leadership failed to fulfill promises it made with us.”

Tariq Bashir Cheema said an impression was being given in Bahawalpur division that entire Bahawalpur was demanding a south Punjab province.

“Our demand is for Bahawalpur province and south Punjab should also be made a separate province. We invite South Punjab people to join our movement which will be launched after May 31,” he said.

Published in Dawn, May 3rd, 2018