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MULTAN: Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar said on Sunday that the party would table a bill for Seraiki and Hazara provinces in the next session of the National Assembly.
Addressing a press conference at the Multan Press Club, he said that 23 districts had been mentioned in the draft bill which included two districts from KPK and 21 districts of south Punjab.
He said the MQM had already presented a resolution in the National Assembly and wanted the people of the area to recognise it as a historical step for fulfilment of their legitimate demands.
He said, “The present government is sincerely making efforts for a Seraiki province. Local intellectuals and the media have done a good job in shaping up public opinion but they need to further intensify their efforts for rights.”
He said people of the area believed that a separate province and acknowledgement of their identity could help protect their rights.
He observed that people of the region were near their destination.
He said Quaid-e-Tehrik Altaf Hussain had honoured his promise during his telephone address at a public meeting here on Dec 23 last year to support the creation of a Saraiki province.
He expressed concern over the Balochistan issue and underlined urgent steps to address problems of people.
Sattar also appreciated the stance of the PPP-led government on the issue of the Saraiki province.
He said no one could separate the MQM and people of the region, adding, “We will continue to fight for rights of local people.”
He said that those who were opposing the creation of the province would turn out to be losers in the end.
He also felicitated the newly-elected Multan Press Club President Shakeel Anjum and other office-bearers.
Former District and Sessions Judge Mailsi Maher Arif Sial announced joining the MQM.
