PML-N submits bill seeking creation of Bahawalpur, South Punjab provinces in NA
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The PML-N on Monday submitted in the National Assembly a constitutional amendment bill for the creation of the Bahawalpur and South Punjab provinces.
The bill was submitted to the NA secretary by MNAs Ahsan Iqbal, Rana Tanvir and Rana Sanaullah. The bill demands that Article 1 of the Constitution be amended to create the Bahawalpur and South Punjab provinces.
The Bahawalpur province will consist of the current administrative division that is considered Bahawalpur, while the current divisions of Dera Ghazi Khan and Multan will fall into the South Punjab province.
The bill also calls for changes to Article 51, which will see to the changes in allocation of seats in the National Assembly, making way for representation of the two new provinces in parliament.
According to the bill, once the amendment is done, Bahawalpur will have 15 general and three women's' seats, bringing the total count of seats to 18. The bill also calls for the allocation of 38 seats to the South Punjab province.
After the amendment, the total number of seats on the NA would rise to 326, out of which 266 will be general seats while 60 will be women-specific seats.
The amendment also calls for relevant changes to be made in Article 59 of the Constitution.
The amendment also calls for 39 seats of the Punjab provincial assembly to be allocated for Bahawalpur, out of which 31 should be general and eight should be women-only. According to the bill, 80 seats should be allocated for the South Punjab province, out of which 64 should be general seats while 14 should be women-specific and two should be allocated for minorities.
The bill also calls for an amendment in Article 154 on the Constitution, through which a National Commission for the Creation of New Provinces should be constituted to deal with the area and other such specifications of the new provinces.
The bill also says that Article 175(a) of the Constitution should be amended to create principle seats of the Supreme Court and the high court in the new provinces.
The bill pointed out that on May 9, 2012 the Punjab Assembly had already approved the creation of these provinces.
The bill also said that the people of these areas have been seeking the creation of these new provinces for a very long time and have been working towards this demand.
Speaking to the media regarding this development, PML-N leaders Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Marriyum Aurangzeb and Ahsan Iqbal said that their party will support the government unconditionally if it sincerely plans to create the two promised provinces.
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Comments (70) Closed
Jan 28, 2019 06:50pm
Funny how the last bill in this regard was passed in 2012. During the 5 years of PMLN government no progress was made. Now, suddenly PMLN wakes up to this issue and tries to divide the people of South Punjab into two groups, Bahawalpur and South Punjab. Dirty politics as always by PMLN.
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Jan 28, 2019 06:54pm
PML(N) government did not take step to make new provinces because it is not simple as it looks. If Punjab is divided, the people of other provinces, including GB that lacks provincial autonomy, will raise their voice to divide their respective provinces. Where, there will be ethnic issues in Sindh, KPK and Balochistan.
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Jan 28, 2019 06:56pm
PMLN has nailed it. "Those" who were playing this game have been trapped.
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Jan 28, 2019 06:57pm
It is right decision and I hope pti government will work on it
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Jan 28, 2019 06:58pm
Punjab should be divided into smaller provinces, and so should be Karachi a separate province.
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Jan 28, 2019 06:58pm
Small minds. Too little. Too late.
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Jan 28, 2019 07:07pm
Anybody seeking division of Pakistani is undermining the Quaid's vision of Unity.
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Jan 28, 2019 07:17pm
Good initiative PML-N. All the best!
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Jan 28, 2019 07:38pm
Fully endorsed PML N proposal two more province in Punjab, South Punjab and Bhawalpur, this way easy to administration of 12 crores population, a further division need in Punjab, Its look PTI have U turn and forget for making more provinces in Punjab, let PML N take credit, we need further division in Sindh 3 provinces and KPK 3 provinces and Baluchistan 2 provinces, this is best administration to provide more facilities to general public.
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Jan 28, 2019 07:38pm
If anyone in the comments could explain WHY PML-N IS SUPPORTING THIS!? Common knowledge is that Punjab as a whole is the powerhouse for PMLN.
Thanks.
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Jan 28, 2019 07:40pm
Clever move! Why didn't they submit this bill whilst in power?
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Jan 28, 2019 07:41pm
PTI promised a province only to get sympathy; and now has backtracked. PML (N) is now taking it forward.
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Jan 28, 2019 07:44pm
an excellent step.
I believe the Punjab assembly resolution of 20013 should be enough to meet the criteria.
Even though I favour the one single Seraiki province, any step is better and in the right direction.
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Jan 28, 2019 07:46pm
Good move. Similarly, new provinces should also be created in Sind and Baluchistan.
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Jan 28, 2019 07:50pm
If they are serious in this matter then why didn't they play their constitutional role in previous tenure when they enjoyed almost absolute majority in parliament. . ?
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Jan 28, 2019 07:54pm
Hopefully this will come true. PTI should help proceed with this plan. It may happen at the end of 5 year term, so PTI should not be worried about losing Punjab in the middle of its rule.
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Jan 28, 2019 07:57pm
PTI should rather submit bill to make every division a separate province .... PMLN is just playing a political move
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Jan 28, 2019 08:00pm
Attempting to steal glory; PML- n was in power so why didn’t they create a separate province???
I feel it’s wrong to to single out Punjab; a separate central province should be created by taking parts from all 4 existing provinces.
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Jan 28, 2019 08:01pm
Sindh should also be divided in to two provinces.
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Jan 28, 2019 08:06pm
PML-N has taken the initiative, that was rightfully a PTI claim.
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Jan 28, 2019 08:08pm
Long overdue demand of South Punjab will contribute greatly to the political stability of Pakistan.
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Jan 28, 2019 08:09pm
If PTI objects it will be incomprehensible because this was their own demand for the longest time.
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Jan 28, 2019 08:10pm
A feeble attempt by PM(N) to regain power in the province of Punjab, Islamic Republic of Pakistan based on centuries old British colonial era obsolete strategy of "divide and rule."
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Jan 28, 2019 08:12pm
Thanks for nominating Bahawalpur as a province! Love PML-N.
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Jan 28, 2019 08:12pm
Good initiatives by PML N. Of course, making new provinces in administrative basis is the need of hour. And both government and opposition should support such move and avoid any kind of point scoring.
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Jan 28, 2019 08:36pm
At one hand they don't accept the PTI government because they always believed that the mandate was stolen and the pm is actually a select PM and now no see what are their expectations from the government of stolen mandate.
Point is why couldn't they think of taking such a step during their tenure or if as they say, they had been working on it for a long time,then how come they were not successful.
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Jan 28, 2019 08:38pm
What a joke. What were you doing when in govt for 5 years?
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Jan 28, 2019 08:40pm
A good move by PML - N.
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Jan 28, 2019 08:50pm
Clever move but with bad intentions by PML-N. In such case, I strongly recommend to create more provinces even in Upper Punjab and Sindh.
@ M. Saeed
It is not undermining the vision of Unity but rather delegating more powers to provinces.
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Jan 28, 2019 08:52pm
Why did they (PML-N) not make any such bills when they were running the government for 5 years? Now they are simply trying to take a page out of political implications. These PNML-N crooks are really a bunch of over night turn coats after they decided to cooperate with PPP to save themselves from corruption charges.
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Jan 28, 2019 09:02pm
It was in PTI’s manifesto to creat South Punjab. But what is the hurry. This issue would be raised again just before next elections!
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Jan 28, 2019 09:33pm
It should not be very difficult for them as demonstrated by changing the Constiution to accomodate Nawaz Sharif to continue as Prime Misnister despste his ouster.
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Jan 28, 2019 09:36pm
It still won’t help you win Punjab, we all know PML-N’s strategy, build a few roads and expect the people to vote for you.
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Jan 28, 2019 09:43pm
@all PTI supporters, Instead of asking why this was not done by PML-N, you should be asking why PTI is not doing this even after promising to do it? PML-N is already tagged to be incompetent party now it's PTI's turn.
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Jan 28, 2019 09:46pm
Sooo pathetic! Why did PML or PPP not do anything about it when they were in power. At least real issues are being addressed since PTI came in power
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Jan 28, 2019 09:47pm
The petty politicians (from all political parties) are just playing games - Ideally Pakistan should have 21 "States" with about 10 million people each and this will ensure that distribution is on the basis of number of people and not some ethnic or linguistic lines. We MUST learn from Bangladesh......
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Jan 28, 2019 09:51pm
Master stroke by PMLN...this was PTI election slogan but now if Punjab is divided then PMLN gets central punjab where they have majority. What will PTI do now?
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Jan 28, 2019 10:29pm
It is blatantly clear now that PML-N will do whatever it can to disrupt the PTI government because its sole objective is to serve the interests of the Sharif family and not of Pakistan.
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Jan 28, 2019 10:33pm
Why does the opposition believe it can drive the affairs of parliament?
PTI needs to start issuing a few ordinances, so that opposition understands that parliament is where debate needs to happen. Otherwise, everyone is worse off.
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Jan 28, 2019 10:39pm
It's timely constitutional amendment motion. It's in everybodys favour .people should not criticised the objects of national interest. And provincial autonomy and nfc should also be addressed.humble advice!
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Jan 28, 2019 11:33pm
@AbuBakar Khan,
They are trying to prove that reality and idealism are different. And what PTI promised is difficult to be accomplish.
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Jan 28, 2019 11:48pm
Why now all of a sudden. We should plan for a date to establish this in 2023 just before the new elections so people know who they are voting for.
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Jan 29, 2019 12:10am
Really! An attempt to obtain an NRO.
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Jan 29, 2019 12:48am
Great idea. PTI should now fulfill its election pledge right away.
Come on Shah mahmood qureshi and khusro Bakhtiar. You already got ministership because of it, now it’s time to deliver.
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Jan 29, 2019 12:54am
From now CM Buzzdaar need not to take His cabnet to South Pujab. He might be a new Wasim Aram for South Punjab. Saraikees must be very happy to get Long awaited Saraikee province. With THE support of PML( N ) PTI has now 2/3 majority to pass the resolution.
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Jan 29, 2019 12:57am
@Qamar, 100% Agreed.
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Jan 29, 2019 01:00am
@AbuBakar Khan, forget about PML-N, do you support what is right?
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Jan 29, 2019 01:02am
@M. Saeed, what are you talking about! Can you hear yourself saying that?
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Jan 29, 2019 01:05am
@Sajjad Hussain Gopang, You are wrong, totally wrong. It is this mindset that is damaging the federation from the inside.
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Jan 29, 2019 01:06am
@Dr Arslan, well then PTI should take the initiative away from PML-N and do the right thing.
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Jan 29, 2019 01:07am
@gauhar mir, yes, I hope so too.
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Jan 29, 2019 01:08am
@Fastrack, it is not too little and in matters of National Interest it is never too late.
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Jan 29, 2019 01:10am
@moeazzi, forget the crooks, PTI should do the right thing, and deliver on their own promise.
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Jan 29, 2019 01:40am
Politics. Plain. And Simple. For everyone to see right through.
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Jan 29, 2019 01:50am
Won't happen
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Jan 29, 2019 03:00am
@Shuaib, Dirty politics by PML 'N' only to score points n to entangle PTI government in waiting time on debate on this uncalled for move. The provinces are never created at the scale of 1 Division or 2. Suggested wo provinces, Bahawalpur and South Punjab, are to be formed with total of 6 districts, whereas rest of the Punjab holds more than 2 dozen districts, whereby no betterment or development can be brought at par in the lives of peoples of under-developed districts still remaining as part of Punjab.
Present Punjab province is too big, so it needs to be broken down into min 5-6 smaller privinces with their own provincial HQ and rule and budget allocation must be made to each in ratio of their area, population, keeping in view needs of providing better facilities for health, edu, infra-structure, comm, industry, agricultural growth and resources, where more developments and improvemen, at par with the Main Punjab Province and its surrounding Lahore developed districts and cities.
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Jan 29, 2019 03:45am
Much needed step
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Jan 29, 2019 04:05am
To all those who joined the South Punjab Mahaaz or whatever it was called who now enjoy ministerial positions should have absolutely no problem with this.
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Jan 29, 2019 04:29am
There should not be women specific seats nominated by political parties. All members should be elected by general vote. Amendment needs to be made.
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Jan 29, 2019 07:19am
Real test of PTI sincerity.
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Jan 29, 2019 07:24am
@Dr Arslan, That's politics. PTI also promised new province creation asap and they have now backtracked. Its politics always.
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Jan 29, 2019 07:47am
Why not South Sindh province . It will be bigger than Bhawalpur and South Punjab province ! Provinces should be created on the basis of need and not ethnicity ! Karachi and Hyderabad should be a separate province . It would give the rest of the rural Sindh to grow and prosper since new provincial assembly and CM plus Governor house and secretariat would be built for the rural Sindh .
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Jan 29, 2019 07:51am
This is all politics . No one is interested in ruling divided Punjab and would like to rule over united Punjab and would wait to divide Punjab when they loose all hope to rule Punjab . Zaradari is playing politics by dividing Punjab but does not support the division of Sindh . Why divide Punjab and not Sindh , because Sindh is his mother and Punjab is his step mother !
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Jan 29, 2019 08:49am
Why only Punjab and why only now and what is the surety that in this way poor people will be really benefitted.
Creation of two new provinces within Punjab actually goes into the benefit of PMLN and that is/can be a clear. Cut proof of their failure in the whole Punjab.
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Jan 29, 2019 08:52am
Many people ask, what is the change .
One can see it now, PMLN is the party which ignored this division of Punjab for quite a long time and now the same is trying their best to have it done. What a u turn.isn,t this a change.
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Jan 29, 2019 12:07pm
@Dr Arslan, PML was never serious about making more provinces in Punjab. Let see how sincere PTI is as this was at the forefront of their election campaign.
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Jan 29, 2019 04:35pm
@Javed, if they were so serious why they didnt do it in their time when they had Punjab and two third majority in Centre. Dirty politics by dirty minds.
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Jan 29, 2019 04:40pm
In their era they created metro orange train etc in Lahore only. By then they have clear majority but not invested a single penny on south. Now as Pti promissed to make it but since they are weak in many areas so focusing on other projects. They just wanted to grab sympathies by playing politics
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Jan 29, 2019 09:50pm
pti should honor its election campaign promise.......a nice political move by pml.
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Jan 30, 2019 07:34am
No excuses now. We want to see new provinces ASAP as promised.
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