PML-N creating hurdles in creation of new provinces: Kaira

[Armstrong]

Mostly PMLN members support South Punjab province. says Gilani.

P.S.


To me both of these parties PPP and PMLN are not interested in welfare of the people but to divide the provinces according to their political and personal benefits, which they may drive out of it..

both not sincere with the people.

As much as I am a PTI supporter I think PML N raises a very pertinent issue ! The Commission shouldn't be Punjab or any other province specific that dissolves after the partition of Punjab but should instead be a non-partisan forum that exists hence-forth for any such issue being raised again. Plus what is the point of such a commission if its going to be filled by Parliamentarians ? Let the Parliament decide it then; however if you are going to make a commission then it should contain people who are not sitting in the legislature waiting for an election to happen. Let it consist of esteemed members from the judiciary and civil services.

 

[Leader]

As much as I am a PTI supporter I think PML N raises a very pertinent issue ! The Commission shouldn't be Punjab or any other province specific that dissolves after the partition of Punjab but should instead be a non-partisan forum that exists hence-forth for any such issue being raised again. Plus what is the point of such a commission if its going to be filled by Parliamentarians ? Let the Parliament decide it then; however if you are going to make a commission then it should contain people who are not sitting in the legislature waiting for an election to happen. Let it consist of esteemed members from the judiciary and civil services.

Beg to disagree strongly, its only PMLN that has passed a resolution in Punjab Assembly to demarcate new provinces of South Punjab and Bahawalpur... the commission obviously cannot be national, unless other provincial assemblies also pass resolutions to create new provinces, remember that PMLN stance so far is united Sindh so far. So it doesnot make sense at all what PMLN is asking.

Secondly, the other objection raised by PMLN is that why the commission involve MQM and other parties, who have no stake in Southern Punjab, well this is also very unconstitutional call by PMLN. since Pakistan is a federation, so obviously the federating units are stake holders, especially in the case where the government in federation is a coalition government, had the constitution allowed federating units to demarcate or create new administrative zones at provincial level, then there was no issue, but since Pakistan is a federation with a coalition government therefore, all are to be considered. moreover, this parliament is about to end its tenure, so Pir of Pagao said "let the new parliament decide about it".

and about the appointment of the commission, it can consist of anybody, that is not an issue, eventually the amendment to take place will have to go through provincial and federal assembly, if PMLN thinks that it will demarcate the new province at their own will and get it approved by the national assembly as it is, they are too naive, and if they think that by getting it rejected in National Assembly by PPP, they can play point scoring in general elections against PPP, they are simply too stupid to think PPP will ever let that happen.

 

[Armstrong]

Beg to disagree strongly, its only PMLN that has passed a resolution in Punjab Assembly to demarcate new provinces of South Punjab and Bahawalpur... the commission obviously cannot be national, unless other provincial assemblies also pass resolutions to create new provinces, remember that PMLN stance so far is united Sindh so far. So it doesnot make sense at all what PMLN is asking.

Secondly, the other objection raised by PMLN is that why the commission involve MQM and other parties, who have no stake in Southern Punjab, well this is also very unconstitutional call by PMLN. since Pakistan is a federation, so obviously the federating units are stake holders, especially in the case where the government in federation is a coalition government, had the constitution allowed federating units to demarcate or create new administrative zones at provincial level, then there was no issue, but since Pakistan is a federation with a coalition government therefore, all are to be considered. moreover, this parliament is about to end its tenure, so Pir of Pagao said "let the new parliament decide about it".

and about the appointment of the commission, it can consist of anybody, that is not an issue, eventually the amendment to take place will have to go through provincial and federal assembly, if PMLN thinks that it will demarcate the new province at their own will and get it approved by the national assembly as it is, they are too naive, and if they think that by getting it rejected in National Assembly by PPP, they can play point scoring in general elections against PPP, they are simply too stupid to think PPP will ever let that happen.

Oh bhai no one is asking to demarcate Sindh or any of the other provinces though God knows all of them need to ! If its administrative issues in the Punjab then I don't see how a person living in Makran isn't going through hell when he needs to travel all the way to Quetta to get something done ! The same is valid for almost every other Province.

My only contention was - Let there be a National Commission, a standing commission that stays there hence forth to tackle any similar issue that may arise. A little like India where they had a commission that demarcated the Provinces but was still constituted for the periods when there was no demarcation of the provinces but was called into action as soon as another need arose; in short it was a national commission not specific to any single province but specific to the issue - Creation of More Provinces on Administrative Lines whenever the need arose !

Onto the composition of the commission - I reiterate again - What is the point of there being a commission consisting of Parliamentarians when they can do that well enough through the Parliament ? Commissions are, as a general, made up of Non-Parliamentarians who can decide in a Non-Partisan way without any thought of their own self-interests in the forthcoming elections. Look to history - All the commissions constituted by the Brits in India consisted of the Non-Executive who reported to a representative of the Executive. Even in Pakistan the election commission is headed by an Ex-Judge (was is ?) and the Memo one had a similar composition !

After that let the commission decide what the parameters of the new Province is and then put it to a vote in the National Assembly !

I support PML-N on this stance for they are in the right over here ! No Commission should be Punjab Specific but rather 'Issue' specific and No commission should consist of Parliamentarians who come with their own vested interest. At the very least give the people of Punjab some credit - All of the other Provinces have some sort of cry for carving out another Province from them and only Punjab till now has done so and of all the Provinces this is the only one where it is conceivable for others to demand a partition of the said Province without opposing factions tearing each other to shreds.

 

[Leader]

Oh bhai no one is asking to demarcate Sindh or any of the other provinces though God knows all of them need to ! If its administrative issues in the Punjab then I don't see how a person living in Makran isn't going through hell when he needs to travel all the way to Quetta to get something done ! The same is valid for almost every other Province.

My only contention was - Let there be a National Commission, a standing commission that stays there hence forth to tackle any similar issue that may arise. A little like India where they had a commission that demarcated the Provinces but was still constituted for the periods when there was no demarcation of the provinces but was called into action as soon as another need arose; in short it was a national commission not specific to any single province but specific to the issue - Creation of More Provinces on Administrative Lines whenever the need arose !

Onto the composition of the commission - I reiterate again - What is the point of there being a commission consisting of Parliamentarians when they can do that well enough through the Parliament ? Commissions are, as a general, made up of Non-Parliamentarians who can decide in a Non-Partisan way without any thought of their own self-interests in the forthcoming elections. Look to history - All the commissions constituted by the Brits in India consisted of the Non-Executive who reported to a representative of the Executive. Even in Pakistan the election commission is headed by an Ex-Judge (was is ?) and the Memo one had a similar composition !

After that let the commission decide what the parameters of the new Province is and then put it to a vote in the National Assembly !

I support PML-N on this stance for they are in the right over here ! No Commission should be Punjab Specific but rather 'Issue' specific and No commission should consist of Parliamentarians who come with their own vested interest. At the very least give the people of Punjab some credit - All of the other Provinces have some sort of cry for carving out another Province from them and only Punjab till now has done so and of all the Provinces this is the only one where it is conceivable for others to demand a partition of the said Province without opposing factions tearing each other to shreds.

one any commission formed may or may not consist of non parliamentarians. primarily, its the job of parliamentarians to do it, keeping the welfare of the people as priority, if it is assumed that elected representative is not for the people, then you know where it is flawed, but that still doesnot mean that the important work that should be done by parliamentarians be given to non parliamentarians, which in other countries like England only work as assistants to carry out the business of the government.

second, the bold part, this is not the stance of PMLN. PMLN wants to demarcate the new provinces at their own will, they dont want other political parties to play any role, although they are stake holders when int comes to passing it in national assembly.

thirdly, since its a federal issue, therefore, to form a permanent independent body as it is in India for demarcation, we require amendment in constitution.