LAHORE, Feb 14: The federal government’s initiative to enhance the quantum of provincial autonomy has begun turning smaller provinces’ hatred against Punjab into amity, says Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim.

Provincial autonomy was the real issue which had pitted smaller provinces against Punjab, Rahim told a press conference on Wednesday.

Now, steps were being taken by Islamabad to give federating units more powers, he said. “In fact, amity is replacing hatred,” he said.

The initiative towards more autonomy had won the hearts and minds of nationalists and those talking of separatist movements until recently were now in favour of a strong Pakistan, Dr Rahim said, referring to a sea change in

the thinking of the late GM Syed’s son who had “recognised” Pakistan and decided to take part in the electoral process.

The inter-provincial coordination minister has also said that about two dozen subjects on the Concurrent List of the constitution would be transferred to the provinces through legislative measures by the end of the current fiscal year.

The Sindh chief minister said there were no sign of the country heading towards a presidential form of government as the parliamentary system was working satisfactorily, when he was asked to comment on Muslim League Functional President Pir Pagara’s “revelation” that the presidential system would be introduced in the country and that there would be no elections.

The FML is part of the coalition ruling Sindh since the 2002 elections.

The Sindh chief minister said the next elections would be held on time.

“There will be no elections in the next eight to 10 months,” he said in a light vein, alluding to the period the legislatures were still to complete.

He rejected the claim that Sindh was a stronghold of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). “Facts have started coming to light,” said Dr Arbab, referring to the victory of government-backed candidates against their PPP rivals in the recent by-elections on two seats.

Dismissing the rigging charges levelled by the PPP, the chief minister said if they had any complaints they should move courts.

He predicted that the ruling coalition would get more seats in Sindh in the next elections. The results, he said, would be “surprising” for the people.

He based his assessment on the performance of his government and the policies he was following to resolve people’s problems.

The PML, he said, had come out of drawing rooms and was fast becoming a popular party in Sindh.

When asked if the situation could change if self-exiled former prime minister Benazir Bhutto had returned to Pakistan, the chief minister said: “Let her come back first.”

He said he had heard it umpteen times that she was returning home, but so far she had not.

Apparently ridiculing the PPP’s alliance with the PML-Nawaz, Dr Rahim said: “Her elder brother (Nawaz Sharif) was responsible for sending her out of the country.”

About his experience of working with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement in a coalition, the chief minister said there was good understanding between the two sides, although difficulties in coalitions was a global phenomenon.

He said the coalition partners would contest the next elections together, although some other regional parties could join them.

Dr Rahim said the uniform of Gen Pervez Musharraf was not people’s issue.

He said the opposition had failed to mobilise the people despite threats of resignations and strikes.

He said the Kalabagh Dam would have been completed by now had it been for him alone to take a decision on the controversial project.

He said there were other parties as well whose opinion mattered.