Secretary General of Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP), Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari, has said that the Pakistan Peoples Party believes in the supremacy of the Constitution and Parliament and respects all decisions taken in accordance with the Constitution and law.
Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari said that the decision regarding the creation of new provinces must be taken by the elected representatives of the people. “Irresponsible and speculative statements on such a sensitive issue should not be used to further deepen divisions in the country,” he said.
He said that for a strong federation and stronger federating units, it was essential to develop a consensus document and broad political agreement on an important national issue such as the creation of new provinces. All steps concerning new provinces must be taken strictly in accordance with the procedure laid down in the Constitution.
Nayyer Hussain Bokhari said that the Constitution clearly provides a procedure for the creation of new provinces. “If government ministers are serious about this issue, they should have the courage to bring it before the Federal Cabinet. The Prime Minister should seek formal approval from the Cabinet and subsequently initiate the constitutional and parliamentary process,” he said.
The PPPP Secretary General said it was surprising that the issue of new provinces had still not been brought before the Federal Cabinet for discussion. He said that any increase in the number of provinces required a constitutional amendment and that new provinces could not be created through statements or announcements alone.
He questioned why government ministers advocating the creation of new provinces were not raising the matter in Parliament. “It should also be made clear how resources will be redistributed under the NFC Award after the creation of new provinces, and how representation and the number of members in the Senate and National Assembly will be determined,” he said.
Nayyer Hussain Bokhari said that the creation of new provinces was a serious national and constitutional matter. “This is not a hockey match where a new team can be formed whenever one wishes,” he remarked.
He said that sensitive national issues should be resolved through the Constitution, Parliament and national political consensus rather than through political point-scoring.
He further said that the elected Members of the National Assembly from Punjab and the provincial ministers should ensure implementation of the resolution passed by the Punjab Assembly regarding the creation of a South Punjab province.
“If the government is genuinely serious about creating new provinces, it should take practical steps while taking into account the resolutions already passed and the constitutional requirements,” he said.
Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari demanded that the Prime Minister hold formal consultations with all parliamentary political parties on the issue of new provinces so that a broad national consensus could be developed on this matter of national importance.
He reiterated that the Pakistan Peoples Party firmly believes in constitutional supremacy, parliamentary democracy and a strong federation. He said that every constitutional matter, including the creation of new provinces, must move forward through Parliament and strictly in accordance with the procedure prescribed by the Constitution.
