Raja Pervaiz Ashraf has formed a special committee to look into the creation of a new province in the country which will split the existing province of Punjab into two provinces. The initial step in this direction was taken in 2012 which was approved by PPP and PML (N) for the formulation of a separate province within Punjab.
The initiative comprises 7 members which will make a detailed report as to how to proceed with the establishment of a new province, what areas it would consist of, and what constitutional changes must be brought about for the successful outcome. They have been instructed to deliver the final report within 30 days.
As for the areas which will make up the new province, most of the parts of Punjab which have the Saraiki majority will be made part of the south Punjab province. These areas include Bahawalpur, Multan, and Dera Ghazi Khan divisions along with major cities of the Saraiki belt. The total area of the new province will be slightly bigger than the counterpart it will leave behind. Approximately 52% of the total area of Punjab will go to the new province.
The committee consists of federal ministers like Syed Khursheed Shah, Murtaza Abbasi, Khalid Hussain Magsi, and other members who are essentially lawmakers including Ramesh Kumar and Sabir Hussain.
The committee will keep in view the amendment bill articles 25B, 51, 63B, 92, and 106.
Before this Pervaiz Elahi in November of 2022 had also formed a body to make the Secretariat of South Punjab fully functional. In January the bill had also been reviewed by PTI and endorsed by PPP as well. The initiative has finally reached its implementation stage after a long time of consideration and careful planning for almost 10 years now.
