BAHAWALPUR, Sept 27 Political activities to examine the possibility of launching a movement for the restoration of provincial status for Bahawalpur have begun here.

Those pressing for an independent status for the former state had suspended their activities in Ramazan. But now, through 'eid milan' gatherings, they have resumed their campaign.

Active on this front are former federal minister and Senator Muhammed Ali Durrani of PML-Q, former federal minister Farooq Azam Malik who lost last NA election on PPP ticket, PML (Functional) Punjab president MPA Makhdoom Ahmed Mehmood from Rahim Yar Khan.

According to sources, the three have approached Nawab Salahuddin Abbasi and requested him to lead the movement to secure due rights of the people of Bahawalpur.

Durrani is also in touch with District Nazim Tariq Cheema. Some other local leaders, including Syed Tasneam Nawaz Gardezi and Syed Tabish Alwari, are also in favour of the demand.

As regards elected members of PPP and PML-N, they are silent for the time being, perhaps waiting for the respective party lines on the subject. But Durrani claims that most of them support the demand but don not speak their heart out due to their parties' pressure.

Talking to Dawn, former MNA Farooq Azam Malik confirmed that Nawab Salahuddin Abbasi had held a meeting with Makhdoom Ahmed Mehmood and Muhammed Ali Durrani at his residence recently.

He said it was a 'consultative discussion' as to how they should move further to launch the movement.

He said it was decided to elicit the opinion of the different segments of society on the issue.

He expressed the hope that a get-together of the people hailing from different schools of thought like intellectuals, lawyers, UC nazimeen, politicians and civil society would be held at his residence on Sunday.

Answering a question how he could play an active role when his party, the PPP, had not supported the move, Farooq Azam Malik said that the party leadership would be convinced that local population's interests could be properly looked after in a an independent federating unit.

When Nawab Salahuddin Abbasi was approached for his comment, he said he would soon brief the media.