“I have neither demanded separation of Karachi as a new province from Sindh nor opposed establishment of new units in other provinces. Any proposal in this regard should be discussed in the parliament or an All Parties Conference can also be convened,” he said, adding that he was questioned whether new provinces of Bahawalpur and Seraiki should be made, and in response to that, he had said not only should these provinces be created, but if necessary other provinces should also be made and that he was not against establishing new provinces.
“I was just speculating the possibility and not suggesting that Karachi should be made a separate province or that Karachi should be separated from Sindh,” he reiterated, while replying to a question posed during a press conference held here on Monday at the CM’s Secretariat. Senator Pervaiz Rashid, MPA Hafiz Mian Nauman, Syed Zaeem Hussain Qadri, and Chairman Lahore Transport Company Khawaja Ahmad Hassan were also present on this occasion. While dilating upon the issue further, he said the PML-N was not opposing creation of new provinces, but the Party would consider where new provinces should be established in the country. “A debate can be held in the parliament as two-thirds majority is a must for this,” he stated.
About his five-day visit to China, he said it was very successful and agreements had been made for cooperation in energy, transport and other sectors. He vowed that no effort would be spared in giving a practical shape to these agreements since China’s role in development of various sectors was commendable, which had been achieved the pinnacle of progress through hard work, dedication and austerity. “China has become the second largest economy of the world and the progress of China is a role model for us. There is no dearth of resources in Pakistan. If there is any dearth that is of commitment and if we make hard work and honesty our motto and make determination then we can also put our country on the road to progress,” he added.He mentioned that agreements regarding 120 megawatt hydel-power project at Taunsa Barrage, 50 megawatt solar power plant and Lahore Mass Transit System were signed, and work on Taunsa barrage hydel power and the Lahore Mass Transit Projects would be started this year. He added that negotiations were also held with the Chinese companies with regard to provision of buses and Rawalpindi and the Lahore Ring Road projects. “However,” he said, “the friendly relations between the two countries are not reflected in economic and trade sectors. Trade between China and Pakistan is $ 7 billion whereas trade of China with India is $ 60bn. There is a need to enhance economic and trade relations between the two countries, and the recent agreements an important step in this direction.”
On acquisition of technology from China against Drone attacks, he said that Pakistan had the capability to shoot down Drones. “However, China is ready to provide technology, expertise and all possible cooperation for elimination of terrorism,” he added.
About encroachments, he said the campaign against illegal encroachments had yielded positive results and no compromise would be made in this regard, and raising of encroachments would not be allowed again.
About procurement of wheat, the CM said wheat was being purchased from small farmers on priority basis so that middleman could not exploit them. “A meeting will be held in this regard as well,” he said.
Regarding electricity and gas loadshedding, he said injustice had been done to Punjab in gas loadshedding, which had stopped the wheel of industries. “We are trying to meet the crisis of energy at provincial level and all possible steps will be taken for giving practical shape to the agreements made with Chinese companies,” he said.
To another question, he said the report with regard to breaking of spurs and dykes during flood had been received and a committee was considering it, which would be presented later on.
About PML-Q and the PPP alliance, he commented, “If both wife and husband are in agreement, what the judge can do about it.”
