Naeem Ashraf Butt Claims Nawaz Sharif Rejects Demand for Division of Provinces
LAHORE:Journalist Naeem Ashraf Butt has claimed that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif has rejected demands for the division of existing provinces, saying President Asif Ali Zardari is also aligned with him on the issue.
Speaking on an ARY News programme, Butt said some senior PML-N figures had advised Nawaz Sharif to consider the demand for new provinces amid concerns over the performance of some ministers and the economic difficulties faced by ordinary citizens.
According to Butt, Nawaz Sharif responded by questioning whether accepting the demands could ultimately lead to the government being removed from power. He reportedly advised his colleagues to focus on their politics and move forward rather than accept the demands under pressure.
Butt said Nawaz Sharif was prepared to contest the issue of provincial restructuring and claimed that President Zardari was also with him on the matter.
He further claimed that the PML-N and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) were on the same page regarding the division of provinces. He referred to recent political contacts between Maryam Nawaz and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and said some PML-N figures advocating reconciliation could resist the party’s position.
Butt also claimed that some members of the PML-N could potentially oppose the party leadership over the issue. He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would continue to stand with his elder brother, although, according to Butt, the prime minister’s position had become weaker.
The journalist further claimed that Nawaz Sharif was taking into account the future political position of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, while Zardari was similarly considering Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s political future.
According to Butt, Bilawal Bhutto does not want Sindh to be divided or Karachi to be made a separate province.
The comments come amid an ongoing national debate over the creation of new provinces, administrative units and devolution of powers. A senior government official recently said no final decision had been taken on whether Pakistan needed additional provinces, new administrative units or greater devolution to local governments. ([Geo News][2])
Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has also said that the PML-N did not initiate the new-provinces proposal and that Parliament would have the opportunity to debate the issue if a formal proposal is tabled. He said the process could involve parliamentary committees and take several months. ([Pakistan Today][3])
The remarks attributed to Naeem Ashraf Butt represent his assessment of the positions and internal discussions among political leaders; the claims regarding Nawaz Sharif’s private conversations and the reported alignment between the PML-N and PPP have not been independently confirmed in the cited reports.
