Knowing Imran Khan as a man with determination and man of words, and that he is in a position to fulfill promises of ending corruption, reviving economy and creating a new province of south Punjab, opposition parties are ganging up to create problems for the PTI government. Imran Khan is moving according to the priorities shown in PTI’s manifesto, and is focusing on health and education sectors. Task forces are busy preparing recommendations, and working plan will be ready within 100 days. Basking in the glow of his successful tour to Saudi Arabia and hope for similar packages in forthcoming visits to China and Malaysia, Prime Minister is confident, which gives opposition leaders sleepless nights. Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has constituted a 12-member executive council comprising members of provincial assembly hailing from southern Punjab, three former civil bureaucrats for the creation of southern Punjab province, which is emblematic of PTI’s seriousness.
The council will identify all possible issues pertaining to the creation of a separate province and all relevant departments will assist where required, address all legislative matters concerning the creation of the province with the support of law and parliamentary affairs department, engage all relevant stakeholders to muster their support for the task, develop consensus, coordinate all matters with the federal committee on the creation of south Punjab province and any other ancillary matter related to the purpose. “The council, in pursuance of the aforementioned terms of reference, shall seek institutional support, information and expert advice from all through any provincial department, public sector organisation or local government in the Punjab. The council shall have its office at the chief minister’s office, which shall be responsible for provision of necessary support to the council as and when required.
It is worth mentioning that in May 2018 i.e., more than two months before the elections, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan had constituted a special committee to formulate a strategy for the creation of a separate South Punjab province. Imran Khan, on the occasion, had vowed that if his party came into power, he would prioritise the creation of a separate South Punjab province. Before 2018 elections, the PML-N seeing the changing mood of the political leaders from south Punjab had floated the idea of establishing a sub-secretariat in Multan on the directions of former chief minister Shahbaz Sharif to counter the demand for a south Punjab province. Former governor Malik Rafique Rajwana was made the head of the committee that also included some parliamentarians, serving provincial secretaries and retired bureaucrats hailing from south Punjab and a retired judge.
Mr. Rajwana had then said that the purpose behind establishing the sub-secretariat was to counter the difficulties the people of south Punjab faced by visiting Lahore for their official work relating to major departments. Meanwhile, incumbent Governor Chaudhry Sarwar said that people would soon hear good news regarding the creation of south Punjab province. In fact, revival of stock market and strengthening of Pak currency are already good news. Prime Minister Imran Khan said the other day that due to the support of friendly countries, Pakistan would need only a small package from the IMF and that too without harsh conditionalities. It means that there would be no further increase in gas and electricity tariff. However, the government would have to take measures to stop electricity theft and line losses to give relief to the people, which will help frustrate the designs of the opposition.
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