SA okays renaming Nawabshah after Benazir Bhutto

Expressing his views, MQM leader and Sindh minister Syed Sardar Ahmed said that it had been done in other provinces as well. He said in Punjab, district Montgomery was re-named as Sahiwal and Lyallpur was renamed as Faisalabad while certain districts in Balochistan had also been renamed. He said the house shall authorise the government in renaming by passing this bill. Minister for Revenue Murad Ali Shah said that Nawabshah district shall be named after Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, adding that through this bill government should be empowered to create new districts and talukas in the province.

Supporting the bill, Minister for Information Ms Shazia Marri observed that it was an important amendment. She said the colonial forces who occupied this territory left behind their traces by naming districts and cities after their own people. She said it would be better if the cities were renamed after the personalities who have sacrificed their lives and rendered meritorious services for the country and the nation.

Minister for Food Mir Nadir Magsi said that four persons were killed when district Qamber was created so this district shall be named after Shaheed Benazir Bhutto.

Opposition leader, Arif Mustafa Jatoi, said that it was the basic principal of democracy that people of the area should be consulted before changing the names of concerned districts. He suggested for holding referendum before renaming any district.

Upon which Shazia Marri said the house comprises of elected representatives of the people who reflect the will of the people.