MULTAN - Punjab Governor Sardar Latif Khan Khosa declared on Saturday that Saraiki Province will be created at all costs and no one could block its birth.Addressing a news conference here at Multan Airport, he accused the PML-N of adopting backtrack policy on the Saraiki Province issue, claiming that when the PPP talked of Saraiki Province, the Nawaz League left the filler of Bahawalpur Province. “When we agreed on this idea and formed a commission, they deviated from their previous stance and started talking about Hazara and other provinces,” he maintained. He said that the residents of Bhakkar, Mianwali and Jhang also wanted to be part of the proposed Saraiki Province and the name of the province would be decided by the national commission. He said that the new province would further strengthen the federation. “As far as the name of the province is concerned, it can be South Punjab, Bahawalpur or Panjnad Province as suggested by Javed Hashmi. We don’t have any objection,” he added.To a query, he said that the chapter of Prime Minister’s writing letter to Swiss authorities had closed and now the law minister was responsible for this job. He hoped that the law minister would find an amicable solution to the problem that would serve national interests. “Asif Ali Zardari is the head of the state and both the sides have developed a feeling that the letter should be written in a way that it does not open criminal case,” he added. Answering a question, he said that the situation at the time of disqualification of former prime minister was different and despite reservations on the verdict the PPP accepted the decision. “The clash among institutions could have harmed the country and democracy. Some quarters wanted us to adopt the path of clash, but we followed Shaheed Bibi’s vision of reconciliation,” he added.Replying a question on Dr Aafia Siddiqui’s release, he said that the government of Pakistan made all out efforts in this regard and even the fee for her attorney was also paid by the government.He declared that President Asif Ali Zardari would present the viewpoint of entire Muslim world at the forum of UNO in its upcoming session while the issue would again be taken up with the US at diplomatic level. Supporting the stance of interior and information ministers, he said that the Punjab government committed negligence as a result of which saboteurs got a chance to enter Islamabad. He congratulated the nation for exhibiting unity on the eve of Youm-e-Ishq-e-Rasool (SAWW), saying all factions of society including minorities joined hands to condemn the film. He said that although the Muslims protested against the film worldover, Pakistan led the entire Muslim world. He said that the break and burn by some elements in Karachi and other areas was condemnable. “It is our demand that if any one commits blasphemy of any religion, he should be punished under international laws,” he added. Citing the example of Rimsha case, he said that the Pope also expressed the same desire on this case. He said that the clerics from all school of thoughts attended the events held at the Governor House and Prime Minister Secretariat.To a query, he said that Rehman Malik was still interior minister as the Supreme Court did not disqualified him and he was discharging his duties. He said that the final decision on disqualification of Rehman Malik was to be made by the chairman senate. Referring to dual nationality issue, he said that the expatriate Pakistanis loved their country and played a key role in the uplift of national economy by sending foreign exchange. “If they have the right to vote, why can’t they become members of parliament?” he raised a question.






