News
Saturday, January 07, 2012
Rumpus continues in NA over new provinces’ issue* PPP pledges to introduce two separate bills regarding Saraiki and Hazara provinces in next NA session
* PM Gilani reiterates support to new provinces
Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: A rumpus continued in the National Assembly on Friday as the issue of new provinces gained momentum amid a statement by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani that consensus on the creation of Saraiki province had been evolved and was at mature stage.
Friday was the MQM’s day in the lower house of parliament when their strong protest compelled the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government to pledge that two separate bills about Saraiki and Hazara provinces would be introduced on the first day of the next session.
The prime minister threw his weight behind the creation of new provinces in the country, which caused uproar in the House.
“Government is in favour of new provinces. The history will not forgive us if we do not work towards the formation of new provinces,” the prime minister declared amid fierce show put up by the MQM, supported by the members from the Q-League and JUI-F belonging to Hazara and southern Punjab.
Though the resolution of the MQM, seeking new federating units was again missing from the order of the day, however, the issue dominated the proceedings so strongly that not a single issue other than it could figure in the session amidst the noises and slogans in favour of the new provinces.
Following the chaotic situation for most of the time, better sense prevailed when the prime minister took the floor and said that consensus on creation of Saraiki province had been evolved and was at mature stage.
He advised the MQM to behave responsibly as consensus is gaining maturity on the southern Punjab province. If the maturity was not shown this time, the matter of new province could fall prey to politics, he said. Gilani said that the government used all platforms and brought resolution in the Punjab Assembly for Saraiki province but no debate was held. After failing to get any response, the government was compelled to bring this issue to the National Assembly.
“We are more supportive because majority of the members is supporting me,” he said, and called upon political parties to evolve consensus for Hazara province on the pattern of Saraiki province. He disclosed that PML-Q leaders, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Gohar Ayub also met him in connection with Hazara province.
“Subsequently, I took up he issues with Awami National Party (ANP) President Asfandyar Wali, who suggested to evolve consensus within the PPP. So, the matter has been referred to the manifesto committee of the PPP for consensus,” he said.
Gilani said that he had asked the chief whips of political parties to meet National Assembly speaker for creation of provinces. “If they want to table separate resolutions for new provinces, the government will not oppose that move, he said.
PPP’s chief whip Syed Khursheed Shah, who earlier blamed the MQM for sabotaging the consensus achieved on the Saraiki province in the political circles, pledged to bring two separate bills on new provinces in the next session following talks between the leaders of the MQM and the PPP as well as consultation of the prime minister with the MQM members of parliament.
Another government ally, the ANP tried to downplay the show of the MQM in the House over new provinces by accusing the party as well as the PPP of sabotaging the spirit of the 18th Amendment. But their voice proved futile as it failed to convince the PPP, which titled in favour of the MQM when the party announced tabling the bills in the next session.
“The prime minister has attacked the rights of smaller provinces by agreeing to bring the bill,” ANP’s Pervez Khan said, while accusing the MQM of blackmailing the House for point-scoring over the new provinces issues.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk