Seraiki Province: The Only True Demand for Pakistan’s Unity and Strength
In a stirring reaffirmation of their decades-old struggle, Seraiki nationalists have rejected the federal government’s recent proposal for multiple new administrative units. Speaking with the clarity of faith and the resolve of patriots, they have reiterated that the only legitimate and constitutionally backed demand for a new province in Pakistan is for a Seraiki province. This is not a call for division, but for the strengthening of our beloved federation, rooted in history, language, and the spirit of Quaid-e-Azam’s vision.
Why the Call for Multiple Provinces Is Misguided
Safdar Klasra, central secretary of the Seraiki Lok Saanjh, has firmly stated that the current debate on creating multiple administrative units is misplaced. He argues that such a flawed process, lacking genuine demand and financial viability, would weaken the federation and invite political instability. “So far, the only authentic claim is the demand for a Seraiki province,” Klasra declared. “This demand is decades old, with a parliamentary and constitutional history. A resolution has already been passed, and a constitutional amendment approved by the Senate. Under the present NFC Award, a Seraiki province would be the third largest recipient of the federal divisible pool.”
A Historical Claim Rooted in Justice and Faith
Dr. Nukhbah Taj Langah, chairperson of the Pakistan Seraiki Party (Taj Langah faction), draws a powerful parallel to the struggle of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. She reminds us that the demand for a Seraiki province is identical in principle to the Quaid’s fight for the restoration of Sindh as a separate province after the British merged it into the Bombay Presidency. “The former Province of Multan lost its provincial status when the British annexed it and merged it into the Lahore Province in 1849,” she explains. “Even after Pakistan’s independence, this injustice was not corrected, while territories like Kashmir and the North-West Frontier Province were granted separate status. The province of Multan and the State of Bahawalpur were left behind.”
The Consensus That Binds the Nation
Dr. Langah emphasizes that all major political parties in Pakistan now support the creation of a Seraiki province. The late Barrister Taj Muhammad Khan Langah began a peaceful movement in 1985, and today, the constitutional bill for a “South Punjab” province has already passed the Senate. However, the party has reservations about the name and boundaries, insisting that the province should be established on the basis of the consensus already reached. “Instead,” she warns, “the government has initiated an unnecessary campaign to create multiple new provinces, creating a fresh constitutional and political controversy. A similar experiment, the One Unit system, once brought crisis upon our nation.”
Language, Culture, and the Quaid’s Vision
Drawing on global examples, Dr. Langah notes that administrative provinces are often created on linguistic and cultural grounds. She cites India, where the number of states grew from eight to around 40 primarily on linguistic lines. Before partition, Quaid-e-Azam and other Muslim leaders supported this principle. “The Seraiki province must comprise the historical province of Multan and the former State of Bahawalpur,” she asserts. “The state must refrain from further experimentation that can push the country towards another political crisis.”
A Call to Action for Pakistan’s Future
In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful, we call upon our leaders to heed this righteous demand. The Seraiki province is not a threat to Pakistan’s unity; it is a pillar of its strength. Let us honor the sacrifices of our forefathers, uphold the principles of justice and faith, and forge a stronger, more united Pakistan. The time for action is now.
Photo: Dawn