The movement for a new province has gained momentum with Kundi’s support since it represents the wishes of his constituents, i.e. the people of Dera Ismail Khan, Dasti told The Express News 24/7. “The movement will now gain further prominence in power corridors.” More than 50,000 people from all over southern Punjab attended the procession.
Leaders of all Seraiki interest groups including the Seraiki Ittehad, Seraiki Front and the National Seraiki Party participated in the rally. Talking to The Express News 24/7 , Kundi said, “We will not rest till we get official approval and a notification for the new Seraiki province is issued. This is the only way to address our grievances.”
Dasti said it was very easy to label their region as a haven for terrorists and religious extremists but no one has tried to discover the reason behind it. “The reason is low literacy rate and poverty with which we have been blessed by all those in the power corridors in Lahore. We have been deprived of our resources and our issues have never been addressed.”
The participants of the procession vowed to fight the powers who opposed their movement. They blamed the PML-N for sabotaging the Seraiki movement in Punjab. The movement’s leaders have planned to march towards Lahore. They have demanded all political parties to support the movement for new provinces in accordance with popular will. Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and former mayors and nazims from southern Punjab, also announced their support for the movement.
