The sources said that the Commission has especially invited Chief whip of Pakistan People's Party (PPP) in the National Assembly, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Syed Khurshid Ahmed Shah to discuss the important matters relating to new provinces. The Commission met with its Chairman Senator Farhatullah Babar in the chair at parliament House on Monday. Only four members including Haji Adeel of Awami National Party (ANP), Dr Farooq Sattar of MQM and Senator Sughra Imam of PPP attended the meeting while PML-N boycotted it as usual.
The sources said that the Commission discussed contentious issues relating to some districts such as Sahiwal to be included in new provinces. However, the Commission decided that referendum should be held in some areas to seek opinion of the people relating to inclusion of the areas in the draft bill for new provinces. The commission also decided to seek opinion and to have open discussion of experts on the draft bill.
When asked about the water issues of the new provinces, the sources said that the issue of water is not complicated and it would be resolved through Council of Common Interest (CCI) and modern telemetry system.
After the meeting, Farhatullah Babar while taking to media said that the commission would continue its work despite PML-N's boycott. "If PML-N has any reservation, it should come in the meeting and we will address their concerns," he maintained. The Commission will finalise its proposals on creation of new provinces soon, he added.
"The Commission has decided to solicit proposals in writing from different stakeholders on the issue of carving new provinces besides, seeking view point of leading experts," he remarked. The stakeholders have been asked to send their proposals to the commission within 10 days. Speaker National Assembly had issued notification on delegation of powers to the commission on December 3, he added. He went on saying that commission had been constituted in the light of unanimously adopted resolution by Punjab Assembly.