LAHORE, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah Khan has expressed confidence that all matters between the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) would be resolved amicably.
Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, Rana Sanaullah said that, in his personal opinion, the debate on formation of new provinces should have been initiated in Parliament. “The formation of new provinces is not an issue to be debated at economic forums or different seminars,” he said, adding that the discussion would become result-oriented if held in Parliament.
He said the participation of the leadership of all provinces and political parties in such a debate would help resolve the matter in a better way.
Rana Sanaullah said the PML-N would participate in the debate and present its policy position whenever the matter was discussed at the appropriate forum, which, he said, was Parliament.
He said a referendum could be held only if approved by a joint session of Parliament, adding that the government alone could not decide to hold a referendum.
Commenting on Jamaat-e-Islami’s long march, Rana Sanaullah said the party had always held rallies and staged sit-ins within the boundaries of the law and the Constitution.
He expressed the hope that the Jamaat-e-Islami long march would remain peaceful, adding that the government had listened to its demands seriously.
He said Jamaat-e-Islami was demanding a reduction in petroleum prices, but added that the PML-N government and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif were even more keen to provide relief to the people by reducing petroleum prices.
He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had chaired a meeting on Friday in which ways to reduce electricity bills, load-shedding and petroleum prices were discussed in detail.
Responding to a question about the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march, Rana Sanaullah said it was not expected to remain peaceful.
He said law enforcement agencies were bound to take action to stop any mob from violating the law and disturbing public order.
Rana Sanaullah also said that the PML-N’s Punjab organisation would be completed down to the Union Council (UC) level within the next 30 days.
He said the Punjab government wanted to hold local government elections and there was a decision of Election Commission in this regard as well.
He added that the party would hold consultations to mobilize its workers and organisation for the upcoming local government elections.
He said there was a possibility that the debate regarding the formation of new provinces would be held in Parliament in the coming days. Therefore, the opinions of party office-bearers on the matter would also be sought during today’s meeting.
