Multan
Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Hussain Qureshi said on Sunday that no one can withdraw powers of South Punjab Secretariat adding that it was the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan and South Punjab province was part of party manifesto.
Addressing a press conference in Multan on Sunday, FM Qureshi said that South Punjab secretariat would continue to have powers no matter Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf remained in power or not.
He said that establishment of South Punjab Secretariat was not an issue of any individual but a matter concerning the whole population of this area.
He said that those who tried to create hurdle in South Punjab secretariat would have to face him first.
He said that all members of national and provincial assemblies, ministers and Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar would protect the secretariat.
Foreign minister said that his son Makhdoom Zain Hussain Qureshi informed him about the notification in which powers of South Punjab secretariat were withdrawn when he came back after attending conference abroad.
He said that all ministers, MPAs even Chief Minister were unaware about the notification.
He termed the notification a conspiracy against Punjab government as the approval was not taken by the CM or provincial cabinet before its circulation.
He said that the notification was against the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan about establishment of South Punjab province.
If everything has to be done in Lahore then why a sum of Rs 4 billion was spent on South Punjab secretariat, he said
He said that PM Imran Khan made South Punjab province part of party manifesto under his vision of facilitating people of deprived areas.
He said that he himself has discussed notification issue with different officers of the province adding that even IGP Punjab confirmed that powers have been delegated to additional IG South Punjab.
FM Qureshi said, he was going to hold meeting with CM Buzdar on Monday to discuss the matter further and to demand a proper investigation.
He said that any conspiracy in the way of establishment of South Punjab province would be defeated.
He said that CM Usman Buzdar has formed a committee presided by Provincial Finance Minister Hashim Jawan Bukhat to present recommendations for amendment in rules of business regarding South Punjab province.
He said that Pakistan and India were nuclear powers and hence could not afford war. He said that Pakistan has clear stance on trade with India and added that it was India’s turn now to make comfortable environment for dialogue.
