BAHAWALPUR: Leaders of the Seraiki Party Pakistan (Langah Group) have demanded that the Punjab government create new districts in south Punjab, including Derawar Fort and Ahmedpur East, and establish separate National and Provincial Assembly constituencies for Cholistan.

Speaking at a press conference, party president Malik Allah Nawaz Waince, central general secretary Khalil Bukhari and other leaders also called for the abolition of the corporate farming scheme in Cholistan. They urged the government to complete the allotment of land to landless residents under schemes launched in 2019 and issue ownership documents to beneficiaries.

The party further demanded a 35 per cent share in the Punjab budget for Seraiki-speaking districts in proportion to their population.

MUHARRAM: The Punjab Cabinet Committee on Law and Order, headed by Health Minister Khwaja Salman Rafique, reviewed Muharram security arrangements during a high-level meeting in Bahawalpur.

According to an official handout, the meeting was attended by provincial ministers Bilal Yasin and Syed Ashiq Kirmani, Home Secretary Javed Ahmed Qazi, deputy commissioners of the three districts of the division and other officials.

Divisional Commissioner Irfan Ali Kathia and Regional Police Officer Ghazi Muhammad Salahuddin briefed the committee that security arrangements had been finalised for 514 Muharram processions and 1,409 majalis across Bahawalpur Division.

They informed the committee that four companies of the Pakistan Army and nine companies of Rangers would be deployed to assist police in maintaining law and order during Muharram.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2026