World | Pakistan
No new provinces in Pakistan - Gilani
Carving out a new territory might trigger similar calls in other areas.
- By Fasihur Rehman Khan, Correspondent
- Published: 23:26 July 3, 2009
Islamabad: Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has rejected calls to divide Punjab province and create another province to be called Seraiki or Bhawalpur.
"We reject this demand to establish a fifth province of the country as it is against our party manifesto and programme," Gilani said.
Calls to establish more provinces resonated after political personalities from Seraiki speaking areas of the country backed the proposal irrespective of their party lines.
But despite getting support from some members of parliament as well as influential people, the PPP-led government shot down the proposal.
The government reportedly fears that similar demands in Sindh and Frontier province might come up if the proposal gets seriously considered.
Sources said this could open up another Pandora's box in these troubled times when military operations are underway in tribal areas and Swat, and the country's economy is also in troubled waters.
Gilani said the government is planning to establish garrisons in various localities of the Malakand and Swat areas, and recruit locals from these areas to serve in the security forces.
The Pakistani premier said he had likewise briefed the visiting French delegation about his government's concern over infiltration by Afghan Taliban into Pakistani areas as a result of ongoing US military operation in the Helmand area in Afghanistan.
US forces kick-started the largest military operation against the Afghan Taliban in the Helmand area in a move to wipe out the insurgents.
Pakistani authorities fear that the fighting might result in further border infiltration by the Taliban.
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