Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. — Photo by AFP

MUZAFFARGARH: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani reiterated on Saturday that the creation of a new province for the people of southern Punjab would end their sense of deprivation.

Addressing a public gathering here after performing the ceremony of the multi-million housing project donated by the Turkish government for flood-affected people, Gilani said people would reject those who were against the creation of a new province.

Gilani assured the gathering of “a new province” and said that the new province would be a guarantee of their rights.

Prime Minister Gilani delivered his address in Seraiki language and said it was due to the demand of the native people who were desirous of getting a separate province.

He said 4,620 houses would be constructed in Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur and Fazalpur.

He said other ancillary facilities like schools, mosques, health centres would also be constructed.

Prime Minister Gilani lauded Turkey’s assistance to Pakistan in the massive reconstruction effort.

He recalled the visits of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his wife last year, and the handing over of newly constructed houses to the homeless affected by the devastating floods.

Prime Minister Gilani said he decided to stay with the people of his country who were in dire need of assistance and directed Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar to lead the Pakistan delegation to New York at the 66th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Prime Minister Gilani also paid rich tributes to the people of Pakistan who have braved all odds and stood up to challenges with courage and determination. He said the nation was confronting extremism, terrorism and natural calamities and would also successfully manage to prevail through the current phase of heavy flooding.

Prime Minister Gilani urged the people of Pakistan to reach out to help their brethren who were homeless and do as much as possible so that they may be rehabilitated without delay.

He said the government was elected for five years and assured the people that it would maximise its efforts to provide facilities to people during its remaining tenure.