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. – Onlinenews
