PPP to table resolution in NA for 'Southern Punjab'
10 January, 2012
LAHORE: The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) has decided to table a resolution to amend the constitution for the establishment of a new province, Southern Punjab, in the next session of National Assembly, our sources learnt. Talking to our sources, PPP southern Punjab President and Federal Minister Makhdoom Shahbuddin confirmed the move and said that he would submit the resolution in the next session of National Assembly on January 25. Makhdoom Shahbuddin added that he had prepared the resolution on the advice of the party's central leadership. Sources in the PPP said that Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has also directed constitutional experts to prepare a bill to give three divisions of south Punjab, comprising Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur and Multan, the status of a separate province. Sources added that the prime minister had also advised constitutional experts to finalise the bill within the next 10 days, as he wanted to present it in the National Assembly after passing the resolution. Constitutional experts told our sources that the party would table the resolution first and the constitutional amendment bill later as per the rules of business and constitution. Constitutional experts said that a two-third majority was required to pass the resolution in the house after which the bill would be tabled in the National Assembly to amend the constitution for the establishment of a new province. Once the house passes the bill, it would be referred to the standing committee for clarifying legal requirements, after which it would be put before the house again. The PPP does not have a simple majority in the house at this stage, but has the required number of votes to amend the bill in the National Assembly if coalition partners support it. The government has already claimed that it has the support of its partners on the issue of establishing a separate province in south Punjab. End.
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