The 12-member parliamentary committee, formed by Speaker National Assembly Dr Fehmida Mirza for formation of new provinces will hold its first meeting on August 28. The NA Speaker had formed the committee last week on the directives of President Asif Zardari to formally initiate the process of carving out two new provinces in southern Punjab - a move aimed at consolidating Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) position in the Saraiki belt with general elections approaching.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), a major opposition political party had already rejected the parliamentary panel, saying the government did not consult the party prior to constituting the committee. However, a top PPP leader on condition of anonymity said the government will ensure representation of all political parties in the committee, so that the issue could be resolved through consensus.
He blamed PML-N of wilfully staying away from the committee for its own vested interest. "Before formation of the [parliamentary] committee, we'd invited all political parties, but kept on ignoring our request," he added. He said the committee in its scheduled meeting on August 28 will nominate its chairman. "We are still hopeful that the PML-N will nominate its members as serious efforts are being made to create new provinces, he said, adding that they should come forward in the best national interest. He said some key PPP stalwarts headed by Khursheed Shah are in constant touch with PML-N and hoped that talks will succeed as there should be representation of all political parties.
Last week, 12 members from National Assembly and Senate were named for the commission, while two names were selected from Punjab Assembly. The sources said that PML-N has not yet provided any name for the commission and demanding more representation in the commission. PML-N spokesman Senator Mushahidullah Khan could not be reached for comments.