Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan. — File photo

ISLAMABAD: Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Wednesday said that his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) will not allow the PPP-led coalition government to divide Punjab province, DawnNews reported.

Speaking to media representatives outside the parliament house, he said the PML-N is not willing to be a part of a commission chaired by “President Asif Ali Zardari’s press secretary.”

Senator Farhatullah Babar, who is also the presidential spokesperson, was elected chairperson of the parliamentary commission for carving out of new provinces during its first meeting which was held at the parliament house in Islamabad on Tuesday.

Criticising government’s ally Awami National Party (ANP), Nisar asked why the ANP can’t see sacrifices of Hazara’s before campaigning to divide another province. “Farhatullah Babar and Haji Adeel can not divide Punjab,” he added.

Rejecting the Parliamentary Commission on New Provinces (PCNP), the PML-N leader said formation of a national commission was essential for carving out new provinces across the country, adding that the party will definitely participate if a ‘serious invitation’ was offered in that regard.

Meanwhile, the PCNP chairperson Babar said that the PML-N had not responded to commission’s invitation.

Moreover, PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal said the PPP government wants to divide Sindh under the guise of creating Southern Punjab but his party will not let that happen. He lamented that the PCNP was formed for creation of only one province.