News
Sunday, April 11, 2010
NWFP renaming continues to create ripples
* Both factions of PML-Q step up efforts to undo decision
* Reforms body expected to meet on Monday to discuss the issueBy Irfan Ghauri
ISLAMABAD: Another Pandora’s box opened up on renaming of NWFP as Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa and the subsequent unrest in Hazara belt continued to create ripples, as both factions of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid have stepped up efforts to undo the move.
The PML-Q dissidents group, led by Saleem Saifullah, and the Chaudhrys of Gujrat have joined hands over the issue and have had interactions with other parties to block the amendment in the Senate, following which they are planning to move a resolution in parliament to pave the way for a 19th Amendment.
Both the factions are allegedly trying to cash in on the sentiments of the Hazara residents as their senior leaders are visiting the area, patting dissenting voices against the province’s proposed name. Saleem Saifullah visited Haripur and Abbottabad on Saturday, while Chaudhry Shujaat will be visiting the region today (Sunday).
They are also persuading senators across party lines to vote against this particular amendment, considering what they call sentiments of the people of Hazara.
Meeting: Another meeting of the constitutional reforms committee, which had completed its task of compiling recommendations, is expected on Monday where the emerging situation in the NWFP regarding the proposed renaming will be deliberated.
Committee members are of the view that the body cannot recommend undoing any of the amendments it had proposed since it had already finalised the recommendations and the 18th Amendment Bill had been passed by the National Assembly.
However, they believe that some amicable solution on the renaming issue should be reached before things turned uglier. Professor Khurshid Ahmed said the emanating situation demands that all stakeholders be involved in serious dialogue to come up with a solution.
Senator Talha of the JUI-F also demanded that sentiments of the people of Hazra should not be ignored and some remedy be sought. The senator’s party is part of the coalition government and has over 15 members in the Upper House – enough to block any amendment in the House if it votes against it along with the PML-Q.
Some mainstream parties, including the PML-Q, have started giving positive thoughts to the demand for a separate Hazara province. Political analysts believe that the issue has become sensitive and could lead to far-reaching consequences.
Undoing of an amendment passed by the National Assembly in favour of Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa could lead to uproar in the Pashtun community, while the proposal of a division of the province has its own implications. It would serve as a catalyst to muster support for divisions of other provinces. The voice of the Saraiki province and divisions in Balochistan and Sindh on ethnic and linguistic grounds will further gain incentive in case the demand for a separate Hazara province was fulfilled.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk