LAHORE - Prime Minster Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani would convene an All Parties Conference (APC) at appropriate time, but definitely before the general elections, to evolve consensus on creation of Seraiki province, it has been learnt. “As per directions of the PPP Co-Chairman, Asif Ali Zardari, the PM will spearhead the move by contacting the heads of all political parties to set a precise date for the APC, most probably after settlement of new terms of engagement with the US over resumption of NATO supplies”, a source close to the prime minister told this scribe who was not sure of the timeframe within which the moot may be held.It may be noted that President Zardari during his visit to Multan last weekend announced to create a new province for south Punjab before the general elections, as he asked PM Gilani to evolve consensus on the issue in consultation with all political parties. The PM also said on Tuesday at Lahore that building of consensus was a must for creation of a new province. The PPP leadership is confident that PML-N will not oppose this move because the latter had also been demanding of convening an APC to evolve consensus on creation of new provinces whenever the issue was raised by the PPP in the past.Political analysts believe that by demanding a separate province for the Seraiki belt, the PPP seems more interested in curtailing PML-N’s vote bank in south Punjab than carving out a province. The PPP thinks that it would be the winner in either case. If it succeeds in creating a new province, the people of the area would still vote for it in the coming elections for supporting their cause. And even if it fails to do so most probably due to opposition from the PML-N, the people would vote for the PPP. The PML-N, on the other hand, is also busy preparing a strategy to counter this move by the PPP. In order to gain sympathies of the people of Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan, it has decided to move a resolution in Punjab Assembly demanding restoration of previous status of the Bahawalpur State as it existed before creation of the One Unit. The resolution may be tabled in the Assembly during its upcoming session. Besides, the PML-N is also trying to strengthen its position in the region by enlisting support of influential political families. Former Senator Muhammad Ali Durrani, a strong proponent of restoration of Bahawalpur State, is one of them. The new province cannot be created without support of the PML-N. The PPP may get the bill passed from the Parliament with the support of its allies, but it cannot become a law unless the same is also passed with two-third majority in the Punjab Assembly where the PPP lacks numbers. Moreover, it is widely feared that if a new province is created on linguistic basis, it would also strengthen the demand for a Mohajir province in Sindh. It may be noted that Mohajir Qaumi Mahaz is already active for a separate province. The demand for Hazara province in KP will also get impetus, thus giving rise to more such movements in different areas.