Bill to be tabled in NA for creation of South Punjab province: FM

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Wednesday said the government has decided to table a bill in the National Assembly for creating South Punjab province.

Addressing a news conference along with Special Assistant on Information and Broadcasting Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan outside Parliament House, the foreign minister said the decision in this regard was taken at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The foreign minister expressed hope that other political parties will support the bill keeping in view their stance for giving rights to the people of southern Punjab. He said two-thirds majority will be required for the amendment. He said that a political consensus will be built and hoped that other parties would support them.

The foreign minister said earlier promises made to the people of South Punjab were not implemented, but now the government is taking effective steps implementing the promise made to the people as part of the PTI manifesto.

FM Qureshi said the meeting also decided to set up a secretariat for southern Punjab for solving people’s problems at their doorsteps. He said Rs3.5 billion and 1350 additional posts will be required for establishing a separate secretariat for South Punjab.

An additional chief secretary and an additional inspector general of police for Southern Punjab will start working in April next month with offices in Multan and Bahawalpur respectively. 

Qureshi said it is a historic development as practical steps towards realisation of the PTI’s promise to the people of South Punjab have commenced.