ISLAMABAD, Oct 04 (APP):Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Chairman Hazara Province Movement Sardar Muhammad Yousaf on Sunday called for the creation of Hazara province without further delay, saying the region’s case had already been taken up by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly and the National Assembly.
Addressing a large Hazara Province Convention hosted by Senator Talha Mahmood at Haripur, Sardar Yousaf said the demand for a separate province was based on administrative grounds and that the movement was now focused on parliamentary and constitutional forums.
“The Hazara province movement is strong and its case is ready,” he said, adding that resolutions in favour of the province had been passed three times by the provincial assembly.
Sardar Yousaf said the demand had received support from political leadership and claimed that the military leadership had also expressed support for the creation of new provinces.
He said bills seeking the creation of Hazara province had been introduced in the National Assembly in 2019 by both opposition and government members.
“The matter is now inside the assemblies,” he said, urging lawmakers to take steps for the creation of the province.
Sardar Yousaf said bringing administrative services closer to the people was essential for improving access to government and public facilities. Delays in matters concerning public welfare, he added, could create frustration and disappointment among citizens.
Senator Talha Mahmood said Haripur would be the economic backbone of a future Hazara province and rejected concerns about the availability of resources.
He claimed that the region had sufficient resources to meet its requirements and contribute to the national economy.
He also linked unemployment and lack of opportunities with frustration among young people and called for reforms in the existing system.
Former federal minister Murtaza Javed Abbasi said the people of Hazara would not accept the creation of new provinces without Hazara being included.
He said representatives of the region had already raised the issue in parliament.
Former chief minister Pir Sabir Shah said the people of Hazara were united in support of the demand, while Jamaat-i-Islami Hazara leader Abdul Razzaq Abbasi said his party fully supported the creation of a separate province.
Brigadier retired Shahzad Awan said Hazara had significant natural and tourism resources, including dams and other reserves, but claimed that the region was not receiving adequate benefit from them.
Movement coordinator Prof Sajjad Qamar claimed that Hazara was entitled to a significant share of the National Finance Commission award. He said greater control over its resources would enable the region to finance its development and contribute to the federation.
Prince Fazal Haq and former lawmaker Nawabzada Wali Mohammad also expressed support for the demand, saying representatives from Kohistan and Battagram would continue to support the movement.
The convention was attended and addressed by several lawmakers, former ministers, political leaders and representatives of religious and community organisations, who reiterated their demand for the creation of Hazara province.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
