President Asif Zardari: To Resign or Fight? (By Mohsin Baig)
Both options—resignation or confrontation—would lead to further political instability, and creating provinces while sidelining the PPP would cause serious damage; there is currently an atmosphere of tension.
Creation of New Provinces: A Controversial Debate
Senior journalist Mohsin Baig discusses the ongoing debate over the creation of new provinces, with a focus on President Asif Zardari’s predicament. According to Baig, pressing the president to either resign or confront the issue would exacerbate political instability.
While Baig acknowledges the need for province creation, he highlights concerns regarding the process and its impact on the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). The Sindh government and the PPP were forced into a corner, leading to a resolution opposing the division of Sindh.
Current Tensions
The situation is tense as those behind this campaign lack both influence and expertise in the matter. Baig emphasizes that new provinces will be established under the 1973 Constitution, warning against attempts to bypass this framework. Creating provinces without PPP involvement could intensify the crisis, particularly in already unstable regions like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Azad Kashmir.
A Call for Consensus and Dialogue
Baig urges all stakeholders to engage in discussions, negotiations, and consensus-building before proceeding with provincial creation. He criticizes the lack of clarity regarding the formula for provinces, resource distribution, demarcation procedures, and local governance structures.
Key Takeaways:
- Provinces should be created through national consensus.
- The current political instability in certain regions could spread if not addressed carefully.
- Stakeholders need to be included, and discussions must happen before any final decisions are made.
