Islamabad: Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday expressed support for creation of new province in southern Pakistan.
While addressing the N
ational Assembly, Gilani said that he is in complete support of the formation of the Seraiki province.
He said that he was a Seraiki himself and the elected prime minister by the PPP, which is the biggest example of the respect the party gives to Seraiki people.
Gilani further added that now was the perfect time to give identity to the Seraikis as they are demanding. Nothing could be more ironic than a Seraiki prime minister ignoring the demand of the Seraikis for their own province, he said.
The Prime Minister further added that if provincial autonomy had been given to the provinces earlier, Pakistan wouldn’t have lost East Pakistan in 1971.
He said a proper mechanism should be adopted for moving a resolution for the purpose, adding that nobody could block the resolution as it was in accordance with the aspirations of the people.
The prime minister said that it was the motto of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) to remove the sense of deprivation among the people of backward areas.
He dismissed the allegation that the PPP was weakening Pakistan, adding that Pakistan was guarded by the Constitution which was given to the country by the PPP and which provided a guarantee for Pakistan’s security.
He rejected the demand of PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif’s for setting up military courts in Karachi, the prime minister asked how was it possible in a democratic set up.
