LAHORE: Federal Communications Minister and President of the Istehkam Pakistan Party (IPP) Abdul Aleem Khan today urged political parties to show magnanimity and support the need for smaller provinces to bring governance closer to the people. He stated this while addressing a party workers’ convention in Kamoke, about 50 kilometres from Lahore. He outlined the IPP’s policy priorities and development plans.
Aleem Khan said the IPP has launched a movement for the creation of smaller provinces as an immediate and sustainable solution to the problems faced by citizens in far-flung areas. He stated that the party does not seek to change the historical names of provinces. Instead, he proposed creating new administrative units such as North, South, West, and East Punjab to improve service delivery.
Moreover, he called on political parties to rise above narrow interests and support the proposal in the national interest.
He welcomed support from MQM and other parties, saying a broader consensus would save people’s time and energy and allow their issues to be resolved nearer to their homes. He added that Punjab alone should not undergo restructuring. Therefore, he proposed that Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should also be divided into four provinces each with new names.
Development projects announced for Gujranwala division
The federal minister announced plans to link Kamoke and Gujranwala with the Lahore-Sialkot-Kharian Motorway, which will provide direct access to Islamabad through the national motorway network. In addition, he announced the widening of the motorway from four to six lanes to benefit the wider Gujranwala division and Kamoke in particular.
Aleem Khan said the prime minister will be invited to inaugurate the new motorway link. He added that the communications department has already completed several development works in Kamoke and will launch further projects in the future.
He demanded that the government fix the minimum support price of wheat at Rs4,000 per maund. Furthermore, he urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to reduce taxes on businesses to accelerate industrial activity. He said job creation for youth must remain a national priority and praised the armed forces for strengthening Pakistan’s global standing.
