Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Punjab president Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo.—File Photo

LAHORE: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Punjab president Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo on Saturday said that the bill for the creation of south Punjab province will be presented in the Senate before March 16 and will also be approved by the National Assembly.

“Those who oppose the creation of south Punjab province will face massive defeat in elections,” he said while addressing a press conference at the PPP Punjab Secretariat.

He said the PPP alliance with the Pakistan Muslim League – Quaid (PML-Q) was moving positively forward. He claimed the two ruling coalition parties were prepared to field strong candidates for the upcoming general elections.

“The PPP and the PML-Q will field suitable candidates to win seats. Good panels will be formed for MNA and MPA elections,” he added.

Wattoo said central Punjab would be a battlefield, and claimed that the PPP had always won in a triangular fight.

Wattoo accused the Pakistan Muslim League –Nawaz (PML-N) of using different tactics to weaken the democratic system. Speaking about former PPP members who had crossed over to the PML-N, he said defectors could not avert disqualification.

He also accused the Punjab government of being involved in pre-poll rigging and lodging fake cases against rivals by using the government machinery. He said that accountability of such people was not far.

Speaking about the recent developments in the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project, he said the government was taking all steps in the larger interest of the country. “If we can benefit from Iranian gas, we should utilize it,” he added.

—File Photo

WASHINGTON: The latest US survey of public opinions in Pakistan reveals that PML-N is now the most popular party in the country, followed by PTI and PPP.

The survey by the International Republican Institute also shows that the majority disapprove the creation of Southern Punjab province.

The report on political parties includes a comparison of two recent surveys, showing their positions on national and provincial levels.

Founded in 1983, the IRI is funded by the US government and conducts international political programmes and opinion polls.

Their latest survey declares PML-N the favourite on national level, with 32 per cent approval. The PTI is second with 18 per cent and the PPP is third with 14 per cent. PML-Q and JUI-F have two per cent each.

Asked if they would support the creation of a new province in Punjab, 21 per cent Pakistanis said they would, strongly. And 14 per cent said they would “somewhat” support it. Nine per cent said they “somewhat” opposed it while 41 per cent said they strongly opposed it. Fifteen
per cent had no opinion.

A similar poll in August 2012 showed 21 per cent Pakistanis strongly supported the creation of a new province in Punjab, 16 per cent backed it reluctantly, nine per cent said they “somewhat” opposed it and 42 per cent strongly opposed it. Twelve per cent had no opinion.

A comparison of the last two surveys showed that the PML-N had 28 per cent popularity rate in August 2012 which increased to 32 per cent in the latest poll. PTI’s popularity rate decreased from 24 to 19 per cent. PPP retained its position with 14 per cent in both surveys.

MQM also increased its support from 3 to 4 per cent. PML-Q maintained its 2 per cent while JUI-F’s increased from one to two per cent.

In the previous poll, 18 per cent said they did not know which party to support while in the latest, 17 per cent remained uncommitted.

In Punjab, PML-N increased its support from 43 to 49 per cent. PTI, however, receded from 27 to 19 per cent. PPP made a slight gain, from 7 to 8 per cent. PML-Q also gained one percentage point, from 2 to 3 per cent.

In Sindh, PPP remains the most popular party, although its support base decreased from 39 to 32 per cent.

MQM remains second as its support base increased from 11 to 16 per cent.

PTI is third but its support base also shrank from 13 to 9 per cent.

PML-N gained, from 6 to 8 per cent but PML-Q lost two points, from three to one per cent.

In KPK, PTI remains the most popular party, gaining between August and November 2012, from 20 per cent to 32 per cent.

PML-N gained three points, from 9 to 12 per cent.

PPP maintained its 5 per cent support base while JUI-F improved from two to five per cent.The current ruling party, ANP, also gained two
points, moving from one to three per cent.

PML-Q showed a hundred per cent loss, from one per cent to zero.

In Balochistan, PTI is ahead of other parties, although popular support for the party dropped by nine per cent, from 26 to 17. PPP made the biggest gain, from five to 18 per cent.

JUI-F moved from four to eight per cent and PML-Q from three to five per cent.

Field work for this poll was conducted by the Institute for Public Opinion Research, Islamabad. Oversight and analysis was provided by Robert Varsalone of Maven Public Affairs.

A multi-stage probability sample was used. In the first stage, the sample was stratified into four provinces. In the second stage, the sample was further stratified into districts within each province by rural and urban categories. In the third stage, each district was further stratified by union councils.

Face-to-face interviews were conducted. The interview teams comprised both men and women.

Sample size: 4,997
Eligibility: age 18 and older
Margin of Error: ±1.4 per cent
Response Rate: slightly more than 75 per cent.

Senator Farhatullah Babar. — File Photo by APP

ISLAMABAD: The parliamentary commission on new provinces on Saturday approved the constitutional draft for creating new province in Southern Punjab and recommended “Bahawalpur South Punjab” as its name, DawnNews reported.

Members of the commission signed the recommendations for amending the constitution in a meeting chaired by spokesman for the president Senator Farhatullah Babar.

The commission has suggested 49 National Assembly seats including 12 seats reserved for women in the new province. There will be 23 Senate seats while the provincial assembly will have 124 including 23 reserved seats for women.

A consensus has been evolved for Bahawalpur as the capital whereas provincial assembly will be situated in Multan.

The commission’s next meeting on Monday will finalise the recommendations while report regarding the new province is expected to be presented in the National Assembly on Wednesday.

File Photo

ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary commission set up for the creation of new provinces met here Thursday with Senator Farhatullah Babar in chair and discussed the boundaries and area of the province in South Punjab.

The meeting was attended by the Senators and Members of the National Assembly from Dera Ismail Khan, Multan and Bahawalpur.

The commission also discussed the name of new province and its capital city besides boundaries and the area.

According to a Dawn report, a PML-Q lawmaker said on Wednesday that consensus had been built on the new province by the name of “Janoobi Punjab comprising Multan, Bahawalpur and D.G. Khan divisions should be carved out from Punjab with Bahawalpur as its capital.”

On Thursday, Senator Farhatullah Babar told the meeting that around eight constitutional amendments would be required in the 1973 constitution as the draft of the bill was also being prepared.

Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) MNA Khawaja Sheraz from Taunsa Sharif said that if the new province was created, then rivers Chashma, Karimun and Chenab should be made part of it as all of these irrigate southern Punjab.

Moreover, he said the new province would not be acceptable if Mianwali and Jhang were excluded from it.

After completion, the bill of constitutional amendment and final report would be sent to the Speaker National Assembly after deciding the name, capital of the province and demarcation of boundaries.

The commission would again meet on Saturday.

The resolution was moved by Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah.—File Photo

LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly unanimously passed a resolution on Wednesday rejecting a commission formed by the National Assembly speaker for the creation of new provinces out of Punjab, and calling for the formation of a new ‘national’ commission, DawnNews reported.

The provincial assembly session Wednesday was the scene of much commotion and uproar for the third day of the week as the opposition lawmakers exchanged harsh words with the members of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N). The PA’s sessions earlier this week witnessed similar scenes as opposition and government lawmakers chanted slogans and hurled harsh words against one another.

Amid all the chaos, a resolution was moved by Law Minister Rana Sanaullah opposing a parliamentary commission formed by the federal government for carving new provinces out of Punjab. The resolution, which also calls for the formation of a new commission, was passed immediately by the assembly members.

“Today, the Punjab Assembly has rejected this ‘Zardari commission’ and demands that the National Assembly speaker and the federal government immediately withdraw this commission,” said Rana Sanaullah, speaking to reporters after the session. “The Punjab Assembly demands that a new ‘national’ commission be formed taking the provincial and national leadership into confidence.”

Earlier on Tuesday, PPP Senator Farhatullah Babar was elected chairperson of the parliamentary commission in contention. The PML-N boycotted the commission’s first meeting which was held at the Parliament House on Tuesday.

The controversial 14-member parliamentary commission was formed by National Assembly Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza on Aug 16 in pursuance of a message received from President Asif Ali Zardari and authorisation by the assembly on July 11.

Her announcement named 12 members only, drawn from the two houses of parliament, and said two members would be nominated by the Punjab Assembly speaker.

Inclusion of the three PML-N members in the commission had surprised and confused the party, and a day after its announcement, the PML-N accused the speaker of unilaterally nominating their party’s legislators without consultation.

Opposition leader in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar rejected the commission and called for raising his party’s representation to 50 per cent, contending that since the proposed body was meant only for carving two provinces out of Punjab, the PML-N must have a greater say by virtue of being the biggest party in the provincial assembly. He had also questioned inclusion of the MQM’s Dr Farooq Sattar, ANP’s Haji Adeel and JUI-F’s Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, saying their parties had no representation in Punjab.

A view of the Punjab Assembly in session.—File Photo

LAHORE: Government and opposition leaders exchanged harsh words during Tuesday’s session of the Punjab Assembly which was chaired by Speaker Rana Mohammad Iqbal, DawnNews reported.

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) lawmaker Shaukat Basra demanded that the assembly speaker nominate a list of legislators for a commission to carve out southern Punjab as a separate province.

Basra also threatened to disrupt the session if his demands remained unmet.

Opposition lawmakers chanted slogans advocating the creation of a southern Punjab province.

“The southern Punjab province will be created,” they chanted during the session.

During the session, Rana Iqbal said that the issue of establishing the commission for new provinces should be taken up in Punjab as it has been in other regions.

Basra said Tuesday was a private member day so other members should not try to dictate him.

The continuing ruckus prompted the assembly’s speaker to postpone the proceedings until 10 am tomorrow (Aug 29).

Senator Farhatullah Babar. — File Photo by APP

KARACHI: Senator Farhatullah Babar, who is also the presidential spokesperson, was elected chairperson of the parliamentary commission for carving out of new provinces out of Punjab during its first meeting which was held at the Parliament House in Islamabad on Tuesday, DawnNews reported.

The Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) stuck to its decision of boycotting the session.

Speaking to media representatives after the commission’s meeting, Babar said the commission had been mandated to reinstate the province of Bahawalpur and to carve out a province out of southern Punjab.

Babar moreover said that the commission would prepare a report in a month’s time on the matter and present it in the parliament.

He said that efforts were underway to convince the PML-N to participate in the commission’s proceedings.

Speaking to media representatives, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Khurshid Shah said that the National Assembly would pass a resolution by a two-thirds majority for the creation of new provinces.

Moreover, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Dr Farooq Sattar said that the PML-N should also have participated in the meeting and should not have lost this historic moment.

The controversial 14-member parliamentary commission was formed by National Assembly Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza on Aug 16 in pursuance of a message received from President Asif Ali Zardari and authorisation by the assembly on July 11.

Her announcement named 12 members only, drawn from the two houses of parliament, and said two members would be nominated by the Punjab Assembly speaker.

Inclusion of the three PML-N members in the commission had surprised and confused the party and a day after its announcement, Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, accused the speaker of unilaterally nominating his party’s legislators without consulting the party.

Chaudhry Nisar rejected the commission and called for raising his party’s representation to 50 per cent, contending that since the proposed body was meant only for carving two provinces out of Punjab, the PML-N must have a greater say by virtue of being the biggest party in the provincial assembly. He had also questioned inclusion of the MQM’s Dr Farooq Sattar, ANP’s Haji Adeel and JUI-F’s Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, saying their parties had no representation in Punjab.

President Asif Ali Zardari—AP Photo

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari Friday said creating separate province was part of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) nation-building process and it would further strengthen the Federation.

Talking to a delegation comprising notables and parliamentarians from Bahawalpur and Bahawalnagar here at the Presidency, the President said the new province would help address the issues of fair distribution of resources.

He said it would also create economic opportunities, legislative and administrative empowerment and other issues of major concern to the people of South Punjab.

The President said that the party took the first concrete step with the help of its allies, tabling and adopting a resolution in the Lower House of the Parliament.

He said he looks forward to early constitution of the Commission that would look into the issues of the creation of separate province and to initiate the process of amendments in the Constitution.

He called upon the parliamentarians and notables to go to the masses and put the issue of South Punjab in the correct perspective as the creation of a separate province was not aimed against anyone but was part of the nation building process of the PPP.

The President reiterated that Pakistan Peoples Party was an egalitarian party which believed in the nation-building process and not merely in the politics of sloganeering for getting votes.

He said the PPP was sincere with the people of South Punjab and that is why it promised separate province to them keeping in view their aspirations and legitimate demands.

He said that the PPP  will continue making all efforts to fulfill its promise during its current tenure.

The participants also spoke on host of issues with special reference to the issues being faced by the people of Southern Punjab including the prevailing energy crisis.

They also brought to the attention of the President various developmental issues of their areas.

The President said the government was making every effort to ease the situation with regards to the power shortage.

He said that with necessary financial arrangements having been made for meeting the fuel requirements and rising water level in the reservoirs, it was expected that the situation would improve soon.

MQM leader Farooq Sattar. -File Photo

MULTAN: Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Deputy Convener MQM Farooq Sattar said that no one can create hurdles in the establishment of South Punjab as a separate province.

While addressing worker meetings at Mumtazabad and Jahanian on Sunday, Dr Farooq Sattar said that the MQM is representative of the 98 per cent middle class people of Pakistan.

He added that MQM believe in the service of masses at grass root level. He said that the MQM would continue fight for the delivery of rights to the people of the country.

Dr Farooq Sattar urged the people to join hands with MQM and added that party would surely bring change in the system.

A view of the National Assembly. — Photo by APP

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Member National Assembly (MNA) Jamshed Dasti on Monday said that the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz’s anti-PPP campaign was a manifestation of their fear that the elected government was seriously working for the creation of a Seraiki province to meet a longstanding demand of the people.

Speaking to APP here on Monday, Dasti said a Seraiki province was the only solution for the problems of the people of southern Punjab — a region with a population of over four million.

To a question, he said the manifesto and program given by former premier Benazir Bhutto would be fully implemented and that would ultimately address the problems of the masses.

Dasti said the PPP leadership and workers had sacrificed their lives to deliver the people their rights.