ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi told the Senate on Monday that progress had been made toward the formation of a South Punjab province, and he asked opposition parties to work with the government to reach an agreement on the matter.
In response to a question from Opposition Leader Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Qureshi stated that the Punjab administration had altered the Rules of Business to split the development budgets for South and North Punjab.
To maintain the federation’s balance, the PTI [Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf] government has made headway toward the establishment of South Punjab province,” Quershi remarked. He added, “The South Punjab Secretariat has begun functioning in Multan and Bahawalpur.”
According to him, a two-thirds majority was required to create a province. “We could have moved it forward on our own if the PTI had this majority on its own,” he added, “but with the opposition’s cooperation, we are able to create the province.”
“We have prepared the road for the people of South Punjab to have their own province so that the federation’s balance can be preserved.”
South Punjab becoming a province, according to several parties, will “promote a sense of inclusion among the people of backward areas.”
Several parties had backed the PTI’s position on the south Punjab province, Qureshi said the house. He addressed the Senate that “other parties are also requested to join us in the legislation for further development on this topic.”
He claimed that South Punjab was a backward region that had received insufficient funding in the past.
However, he said that the PTI had made progress and that a distinct development plan for the region would be developed. The funds set aside for South Punjab will not be used for any other purpose.
Gilani had previously stated that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had made significant attempts to construct Seraiki province during its time, but that it had failed to materialise. The PPP could not form the province, according to State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan, but the PTI would.
Rana Mahmoodul Hassan had already introduced a bill to create the province of South Punjab. He claimed that the people of South Punjab felt deprived. The bill was referred to the relevant standing committee by Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani.
In accordance with UN resolutions, the upper chamber of parliament also urged an end to Indian atrocities in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and the recognition of Kashmiris’ right to self-determination.
Senator Mushtaq’s proposal to increase the electricity tariff by Rs4.74 per unit was denied by State Minister Ali Muhammad Khan, who stated that the price of electricity is set by NEPRA. He also stated that the fuel price adjustment would be completed in the coming months.
The House passed the Mohsin Aziz-sponsored Motor Vehicle Ordinance 1935 Amendment Bill.
