Restoration of province: Nawab`s scion announces his party

BAHAWALPUR, April 14: Nawab Salahuddin Abbasi, a scion of the late Nawab Sadiq Abbasi, has announced formation of Bahawalpur Awami Party to lead the movement for restoration of the Bahawalpur province. The announcement under the banner of Bahawalpur Declaration came at a well-attended gathering at the historic Sadiqgarh Palace at Dera Nawab Sahib, about 40 kilometres from here, on Thursday. A large number of people, including the leaders of rival parties who are part of the movement, showed up at the event that saw intense sloganeering for the restoration of the Bahawalpur province. Three former ministers — Senator Muhammad Ali Durrani, Syed Tasneem Nawaz Gardezi and Farooq Azam Malik â€" were prominent among the participants. PML-F Functional Punjab President Makhdoom Syed Ahmed Mahmood could not turn up as he is currently on a UK visit. There was no representation from the PPP and the PML-N. In his declaration, Nawab Salahuddin regretted "rough treatment with the people of south Punjab during successive regimes after the departure of the Quaid-i-Azam." He claimed that Mr Jinnah had assured his grandfather (Nawab Sadiq Muhammad Khan Abbasi) of proper look-after of the people of the Bahawalpur State which was acceded to Pakistan on his desire. After the death of the Quaid, he said, a military ruler sold the late Nawab`s Sutlej river to India and the whole of Pakistan was now facing water woes. He said the provincial status demand of the local population was just, legal and constitutional. "There is no need to see towards parliament or provincial assemblies for restoration of the Bahawalpur province. Rather, we will get the provincial status on the streets." He said there would be no distinction between the settlers, refugees and locals (Seraiki-speaking people) and all of them should stand behind him. ARREST: The Civil Lines police claimed on Thursday to have arrested a suspected militant in Model Town. City DSP Azizullah said the police had arrested Azhar Shah and recovered a pistol and two hand grenades. CNG STRIKE: Commuters faced a great deal of inconvenience for the second day running on Thursday due to unavailability of CNG.