Muttahida Mahaz (Tehrik Bahali Soba Bahawalpur) convenor, Senator Muhammad Ali Durrani has said that government had promised to give Bahawalpur the status of province under local bodies system but it has betrayed the masses, and now they have decided to organise a big gathering on November 29th in Islamabad, which would prove a milestone for creation of new provinces.
Talking to newsmen here on Monday, Durrani said the people of Bahawalpur will oppose proposed 19th constitutional amendment if the issue of restoration of provincial status for Bahawalpur was not included in the amendment. He told legislators of Bahawalpur division that it is the high time for them to play their role for restoration of provincial status.
About the forthcoming conference, he said it would be convened in Islamabad to discuss creation of new provinces in Pakistan. He added that Muttahida Mahaz would host the conference in which regions like Hazara, Bahawalpur, Potohar, Pashtoon region of Balochistan would participate.
Muttahida Mahaz convenor said 'sugar mafia is also a part of country's politics', and is exploiting the poor. Now such exploiters are attempting to cash Tehrik Bahali Soba Bahawalpur's popularity, but masses of the district would never allow them to do so. He hoped that the conference would play a pivotal role in restoration of Bahawalpur province. Malik Habib Ullah Bhutta and Syed Nasir Bukhari were also present.
On the other hand, Saraiki organisations have decided to boycott this conference, describing it a stab in the back of Saraiki Sooba movement. Expressing his views, Barrister Taj Muhammad Khan Langah Chief of Pakistan Saraiki Party said establishment and agencies are plotting against Seraiki people by raising the issue through Muhammad Ali Durrani.
Saraiki Inqalabi Council Chief, Muzaffar Hussain Magassi said restoration of Bahawalpur state is not acceptable and we would continue our struggle for achievement of objective of Seraikistan province as the fifth federating unit of Pakistan.