Body was originally tasked to form 2 provinces: Nisar

ISLAMABAD: The Opposition leader in the National Assembly, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has said that the commission tasked with the formation of provinces was originally mandated to carve out two provinces in the Punjab, alleging that the Governor Punjab sold out the demand for Bahawalpur province for the sake of his position.

Talking to media men here, Nisar accused Pakistan People's Party of not being sincere with the task of formation of new provinces in the Punjab.

"A hand-picked commission was formed without holding consultaions with us," he complained.

“The ruling PPP government was not sincere in the formation of South Punjab and Bahawalpur provinces and was only using the issue as a political stunt ahead of the upcoming general elections," he said.

He said that PML-N would table its own amendment bill for the creation of Bahawalpur and South Punjab provinces in line with the resolutions passed by the Punjab Assembly.

Chaudhry Nisar said that PML-N was also committed to Hazara province but added that the party would consult with other parties on this issue.

“No senior member of the PML-N belonging to Punjab was consulted prior to the formation of parliamentary commission, which was unlawfully named by President Zardari,” he added.

He said that members of the Parliamentary Commission on creation of new province were from ANP and MQM, which had no representation in Punjab.

Chaudhry Nisar further said that formation of a new province was not a matter of grave concern as there were other major issues in the country. “If a South Punjab province was formed, Makhdoom will become its chief minister and Gilani will become the governor.

The problems of the poor people will remain as they are, he regretted.