PRIME Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has claimed that a Seraiki province has the support of a two-thirds majority.... There are reports that President Asif Ali Zardari has taken coalition partners into confidence hence the path has been cleared for a Seraiki province. A day ago, political parties aire d their views in the National Assembly regarding a Seraiki province. The PPP said a bill to this effect wouldbe presented in the next session of the National Assembly. The PPP chief whip Syed Khursheed Shah said thattoday the issue is being debated on the floor of the House while a Seraiki province is an old demand of the people of southern Punjab. Some four years ago, talk of a Seraiki province was like putting one's foot on a snake....

Historically, the Seraiki belt has never been part of Punjab. During the rule of the Rai dynasty the Bahawalpur belt was part of Sindh. ...The geographical borders of the provinces have witnessed changes with the passage oftime. At the time of Independence three states, Khairpur, Kalat and Bahawalpur were in the geographical areas of Pakistan. The Seraiki belt was part of Bahawalpur state, not Punjab. Ayub Khan, for framing One Unit, under an agreement included these states in West Pakistan.

When One Unit was dissolved, the provinces were restored to their original form, but the rulers refused torestore the status of these states. Bahawalpur was merged with Punjab. ...Hence changes were made in thegeographical borders of Sindh ...A movement that started in the 1970s has now matured when the president and prime minister are also talking about this province and the National Assembly is debating it. Now the assemblies are recognising the rights of the Seraiki people.

This is not a favour but their right which has been recognised so late.... (Jan 8)

Selected and translated by Sohail Sangi