ISLAMABAD, March 23: Leaders of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML) at a seminar here on Wednesday advocated greater autonomy to provinces and equal rights to them. They vowed to continue their efforts to make Pakistan a welfare state, create harmony and understanding among the provinces by resolving all issues politically. The seminar on “Federation and Provinces”, was organised by the PML at its headquarters.

Speaking on the occasion, former Punjab Chief Minister Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo said it was due to the efforts of the Muslim League that a separate homeland for the Muslims of the South Asian Subcontinent was created in the shape of Pakistan and stressed greater efforts by the party to ensure progress and prosperity of the country.

He said the provinces should be given their due rights and shares according to the Constitution because only stronger provinces could contribute to the overall development of the country.

Mr Wattoo asked the Centre to take along all the provinces in taking decision on all issues and running the affairs of the country.

He proposed that PML should prepare a system like Bangladesh to conduct elections under an independent system to strengthen democracy.

The former chief minister also emphasised the need for strengthening the PML at the gross-roots level and completing all its organizational structure including the General Council and Central Working Committee. The manifesto of the party, he said, should be prepared in accordance with the new realities and requirements.

He also suggested that the PML workers should also be accommodated in the development projects and in government jobs while observing merit.

Former Speaker of the National Assembly Gauhar Ayub said the workers should be given due respect to strengthen the party at the gross-roots level.

The PML, he said, should be taken out from the drawing rooms politics and its meetings and activities should be conducted on the spot to help the people and solve their problems.

Referring to allegations from different provinces, he said, there were few people who were issuing statements for the sake of publicity. He said the PML should take the responsibility to help resolve all the issues (between the centre and the provinces) politically and with mutual consultation.