ISLAMABAD: Protesters from Seraiki belt have rejected formation of
Seraiki province on administrative basis saying 21districts across
Pakistan should be combined into a new province.
They said this
during a protest demonstration here in front of the National Press Club
(NPC) on Sunday in which students, political leaders and workers, human
rights activists, and people from various walks of life participated.
The protest led by Akram Gurmani of Saraiki Lok Sanjh (SLS), Safdar
Klasra of Saraiki Conference (SC) and Mazhar Nawaz of Seraiki Lok
Party (SLP) were chanting slogans against the Punjab government and
dominance of the politics of Lahore, what they called
‘Takht-e-Lahore’. The protesters also marched from NPC to Super Market
and then back to NPC were holding banners and placards inscribed with
slogans in support of the Saraiki province.
Addressing the
protesters, Akram Gurmnani said that the traditional forces against the
Saraiki province are united more than ever to impede its creation
despite fact that there is increased acceptance for making the province
among the mainstream political parties including PPP, ANP, and PML-Q.
Speakers
on this occasion, rejected creation of the new province on
administrative basis and demanded of the government to combine 21
districts including Tank and DI Khan, presently part of Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa province, into the proposed province of Saraiki. They
claimed that Seraiki speaking people are living in majority in the 21
districts across Pakistan.
“We the peaceful Seraiki people have
gathered here today to welcome and appreciate the parliamentary as well
as non-parliamentary political parties, media persons, intellectuals,
writers and activists who have been supporting the national cause of
Saraiki by endorsing their demand for a new province,” the speakers
said.
They said that in the country like India new provinces
are encouraged and it is a proof that federation never becomes weak by
such steps. They said that part of the Seraiki people is
agriculturally rich and therefore it would be economically viable
province. They demanded that entire political forces and the
government to take step for making of the Seraiki province as it is now
a popular demand. Safdar Klasra made it clear that they demanded some
districts from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other provinces but it was the
Parliament’s discretion and Seraiki people would accept consensus
decision. Online
