New province to help improve people’s life

Wednesday, January 30, 2013 - Islamabad—Deputy Parliamentary leader of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) in the Punjab Assembly, Shaukat Basra said that establishment of new province would help improve the lives of the people. Talking to Pakistan Television (PTV), he said that all the political parties excluding Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) are in favour of new province in South Punjab. He said that new province would bring progress and prosperity for the masses of this region. He urged Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz to come forward and support the government in the formation of new province so that the people could enjoy the basic needs at their doorsteps. Replying to a question, he said that equal distribution of resources and funds would bring stability in the less developed part of the country. He said that the government is making efforts for providing relief to the masses. He said that the steps are being taken to develop the remote and far flung areas of the Punjab province. Replying to another question, he said that PPP had the majority for bringing the matter of new province to the table. Shaukat Basra said that PPP-led government would continue efforts for providing due rights to the people of South Punjab. The demand of people of Hazara is also supported by other mainstream political parties including PML-N, PML-Q and PPP but the most important is the 100% consensus in Hazara region for creation of a separate province. If practical moves can be initiated keeping in view the demand of people of South Punjab then there is no reason to deny the same right to people of Hazara. It is lamentable that though PPP acknowledges this right of people of Hazara but it is not willing to take concrete steps in this regard just to please the ANP that is otherwise ardent supporter of division of Punjab. Its opposition smacks of double standards, exposes its bias and makes mockery of its claims about democratic credentials. Hazara has a distinct identity in every respect and has almost nothing in common with the rest of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Its history, culture, language and traditions are quite different to those of KPK and therefore, its people deserve to be given a separate identity as per their demand. We believe that instead of becoming Punjab-centric, the proponents of new provinces should give a sober.—APP

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