Daily Times

A faction of Saraiki nationalists is not happy over the election of Usman Bazdar as the new CM of Punjab.

This faction led by Zahoor Dhareeja has opposed and bitterly criticised the appointment of Usman Buzdar as CM, describing it an effort to bury the issue of new Saraiki issue.

The group said that a separate province of three divisions, consisting of Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan and Bahawalpur is not acceptable and they are waging a struggle for a province consisting of 23 districts, including Dera Ismail Khan and Taank of KPK under the title of Saraikistan.

The nationalist groups belonging from Saraiki belt are seemed to be divided over the issue of Buzdar election as CM, with some supporting the move and others criticising it.

Earlier, Saraiki nationalist, Ashiq Khan Buzdar of Mehray wala, Rajanpur, and the author of Assan Qaidi Takht Lahore Dey (we are the prisoners of rulers of Lahore) told Daily times that Usman Buzdar has a deep understanding of problems of the Saraiki people. Being a native, he understands local issues, including the demand of a Seraiki province.

He said that if given independence and free hand, Usman Buzdar can resolve the issues of this region and can play an important role in the establishment of Saraiki province.

Ashiq claimed that Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi have been tasked to gather the majority required in the assembly for establishment of a new province. A forward bloc would soon emerge within the PML-N, which would make the establishment of Saraiki province possible.

Another group of Saraiki nationalists welcomed the election of Usman Khan Buzdar as chief minister of Punjab in terms of benefits the region could reap from the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

They also hoped that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) would succeed in mustering support from its allies to gain the two-third majority in national and provincial assemblies required to establish a separate Seraiki or south Punjab province.

Mehmood Nizami of Pakistan Seraiki Party said Buzdar’s selection would be promising for the region. He claimed that PPP would support the PTI in creation of south Punjab province and the PML-N would also back the cause to dispel the anti-PML-N sentiments in the region.

Dr Naveed, general secretary of the PPP’s culture wing in the district, said that Usman Buzdar was made chief minister to make his region significant to the CPEC projects. His tribe falls on both sides of the provincial boundary of Punjab and Balochistan, a factor which would be very crucial.

”When a Balochi-Seraiki-speaking chief minister of Punjab would address a public meeting in Balochistan, it would create trust and confidence among the masses of the province as well as people of the Saraiki region”, he added.

Mushtaq Gadi of Seraiki Lok Sanjh said that creation of a new province in Punjab was imperative for state building. It would positively contribute to solving crucial structural problems. The main benefits included a balanced federation, economic growth, better governance and solution to regional grievances.

Former Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani said that South Punjab province cannot be created without the support of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) because PPP is in majority in senate and two-third majority is necessary for establishment of province. He further said that PPP would cooperate with Chief Minister Punjab on the issue of separate province if he consults.

Published in Daily Times, August 27^th 2018.