ISLAMABAD, Aug 21: A large number of people organised a rally here on Sunday in support of Seraiki province.

The students, intellectuals and the people belonging to all walks of life participated in the rally as they criticised those people who dubbed the demand as a move towards disintegration of the country.

The rally was jointly organised by Seraiki Lok Party, Seraiki Lok Sanjh and the Seraiki Conference outside the National Press Club.

The participants said the division of the Punjab province was not a conspiracy against the ‘Punjabis’.

“We only demand a separate province to promote our unique culture having a long history and tradition,” said Akram Gurmani, representing the Seraiki Lok Sanjh.

The participants said that the Seraiki language is spoken in 21 districts and the province should be carved out of these areas comprising Bahawalpur division, Sargodha division, DG Khan division, Multan division, the Jhang and Toba Tek Singh districts of Faisalabad division and the Tank and D I Khan districts in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.

Talking to Dawn, the participants said that those working for the establishment wanted the culture of one unit with large administrative areas, whereas the country needed smaller semi-autonomous setups for better development of the areas.

“But this notion is totally incorrect that we are against anybody or any province,” said Safdar Klasra, a participant of the demonstration. “Seraiki culture or the ‘Hakra’ civilisation has a history of around 3,000 years and we just want to retain it,” he said.

Responding to a query about a large number of other communities residing in the proposed Seraiki province, the organisers of the demonstration said that all the provinces had mixed population and the people of various communities had been living in all parts of the country.

“Why is this question being raised for us as we, the Seraiki people, have traditionally been the most peaceful people in the country,” Safdar Klasra said.