No objection to Bahawalpur provincial status: Gilani

AHMEDPUR EAST - Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has reiterated that PPP led Federal government had no objection if people of Bahawalpur Division were interested in the restoration of former provincial status of Bahawalpur. This was stated by him while talking to Nawab of Bahawalpur Salahuddin Abbasi in the Walima reception of the son of President Pakistan Muslim LeagueF Punjab Makhdoom Syed Ahmed Mehmood held in Lahore on Tuesday night. Prime Minister and Nawab of Bahawalpur were seated alongwith bridegroom on the stage. Salahuddin Abbasi told Prime Minister that PPP govt could conduct a referendum on this issue at any time while more than 80 per cent people of Bahawalpur division would support the demand of the restoration of former provincial status of Bahawalpur. He further said that Bahawalpur people had given heavy mandate to those candidates who had contested general elections in 1970 on Bahawalpur province issue. He said that restoration of former provincial status of Bahawalpur is the voice of 12.5 million people of the area and it will also be the fulfillment of the commitment of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah made with last ruler of former Bahawalpur State Nawab Sir Sadiq Muhammad Khan Abbasi and Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed with me in London. Meanwhile Jamaat-e-Islami leader Liaquat Baloch, Honorary Consulate General of Morocco Mirza Ishtiaq Baig and other leading personalities of Rahim Yar Khan district also met with Nawab Salahuddin Abbasi and discussed with prevailing political situation and matters of mutual interest.