Daily Times

Sir: The declaration of Bahawalpur as a province remained the most popular demand of the masses in the region. In lieu of this legitimate, justified and fair demand, the Punjab Assembly passed two resolutions. However, with the changing scenario of the political landscape, this cunning move by the PML-N appeared to be a deceptive tactic and the Assembly turned down its own resolutions. This exposed the dirty, nasty, stagnant and fake democracy in Punjab. South Punjab lacks credible leadership to file its case in the power corridors and any chance for the nourishment of a real leadership is further hampered by the partiality of the PML-N. Furthermore, in the upcoming Senate elections, no seat is given to south Punjab and the right of the region is hijacked in the name of political slogans of party strength. Dumb and deaf leaders of the region already lack the credentials to speak for the rights of the people and are more loyal to the royal family of the dear prime minister as well chief minister of the province. In such a scenario, digesting senate seats of the region will further fuel a sense of deprivation, exploitation, inferiority and political orphanage. It is an open secret that the Senate too does not consider the equitable the representation of south Punjab. Nations are built with consensus and fair allocations of resources, including representation in legislative bodies, but not at the cost of ethnic and lingual indigenous identities. Bahawalpur remained the most stable region of peace and harmony that paid its more than due share in national development. Withholding the due rights of the region would lay the foundations of another severe conflict.

FARRUKH JAMEEL

Bahawalpur