MULTAN: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on Saturday asked for support of the opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) as well as other political parties in parliament for the creation of south Punjab province.

Talking to reporters, he said instead of issuing statements for political point scoring, the opposition parties should support the government over the issue of a new province.

“The PTI had made the creation of a separate province part of its election manifesto and people gave us the mandate in this regard. However, we do not have a two-thirds majority in the parliament, which is a must for the creation of a new province,” he said, adding that the PPP had faced the same situation when it was in power.

Mr Qureshi said the previous government of PML-N had the two-thirds majority in the National Assembly, but creation of south Punjab province was not on its agenda.

Qureshi says ruling party doesn’t enjoy two-thirds majority in parliament

He said the PTI believed in devolution of power to grassroots level that’s why it made south Punjab province part of its manifesto. “Creation of a separate province is our aim and it has been decided that efforts will be made to get the support of other political parties in this regard, no matter whoever wants to take the credit,” he said.

He urged all parliamentarians from south Punjab to support efforts for creation of a new province. “Unanimity is required for the creation of a new province and the PTI is united over it. We took the decision over this issue with consultation and no one in the party is against the idea of a new province,” he added.

Mr Qureshi said that issues relating to development in Multan, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan and Rahim Yar Khan were interlinked.

He said that efforts for creation of south Punjab province were made also in the past, but whenever there was any progress differences were highlighted. He said creation of a province was not only the right of the people of south Punjab, but it was also necessary administratively. “For the Senate, NFC Award, separate high court and distribution of resources creation of south Punjab province is necessary,” he added.

He said: “We have decided that in the future allocated budget for south Punjab will only be spent on this area. From 1970 to 2019, south Punjab had not been receiving its due share in the country’s resources. Development schemes for it were shifted to other districts.”

He said according to recent data poverty level was high in south Punjab. “Its people have to travel to Lahore for resolution of their issues. After creation of south Punjab province, issues of its people will be resolved in Multan or Bahawalpur.”

Two secretariats

Mr Qureshi said misunderstandings were being created deliberately about decision regarding capital of the proposed south Punjab province, adding that the decision in this regard would be taken by the legislative assembly of the new province.

He said some people were of the view that a new province would not be created while some were saying that they would not allow anyone to do so. “My appeal to the public is to not give heed to negative propaganda. My request to all is to think with a cool mind and avoid spreading misunderstandings,” he added.

He said Prime Minister Imran Khan after a thorough consultation had made some important decisions about the creation of a new province. The PM had issued directives for taking all decisions in this regard with consultation and an opinion should not be imposed on anyone, he added.

Mr Qureshi said that a meeting held recently was informed that there was no legal or constitutional obstacle in establishment of two secretariats of the proposed south Punjab province — one in Multan and one in Bahawalpur. “After the meeting a wrong impression was propagated that the secretariat will be established in Bahawalpur which is not correct. I want to clarify the misunderstanding that where the additional chief secretary (south) and additional inspector general of police (south) will sit be decided by the provincial government. Both of the officers after their appointment will be asked to take measures for the creation of the secretariat with the direction to complete their task so that the secretariat could be made functional from July 1,” he said.

Published in Dawn, March 15th, 2020