ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousuf on Wednesday announced that the campaign for the creation of Hazara province would be intensified, stressing that the movement would rise above political affiliations.
Addressing a press conference under the banner of the Hazara Province Movement, the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) leader said that all necessary groundwork for the province had been completed. “We will now engage with the leadership of all political parties to ensure the realisation of Hazara province,” he stated.
The minister also announced that he would soon take up the issue of Hazara province with the top PMLN leadership, including party Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.
The press conference was attended by Senator Talha Mahmood of PPP, former deputy speaker of the National Assembly Murtaza Javed Abbasi, Captain (retd) Muhammad Safdar, the movement’s central coordinator Hafiz Sajjad Qamar (PMLN), MNA Dr Shaista Jadoon, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Abdul Razzaq Abbasi, former provincial minister Ejaz Durrani, and several other leaders.
Earlier, Sardar Yousuf chaired a meeting of the Supreme Council of the Hazara Province Movement, where a committee comprising senior leaders of the movement was constituted. He said the committee would soon meet PMLN Quaid Nawaz Sharif to present its views on the new province.
Leading the movement, Sardar Yousuf stressed that the political leadership of Hazara must struggle collectively for their due right to a separate province, regardless of party affiliations. He underscored the urgent need for new provinces in Pakistan, stating that with a population exceeding 250 million, the country requires a more effective administrative approach. “Until Hazara becomes a separate province, we pledge to continue the struggle,” he declared.
He said a clear strategy had been devised for the next phase of the movement and further necessary reforms would be introduced as required. “Our movement is not limited to any single political party but represents the people of Hazara as a whole, with participation from all parties under the Supreme Council,” he said. Expressing concern over media reports of proposals for 12 new smaller provinces that excluded Hazara, Sardar Yousuf stressed: “Hazara province should be at the top of any campaign for new provinces.”
Murtaza Abbasi added that the movement would even engage with the leadership of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for the cause of Hazara. He pointed out that seven mainstream political parties are currently part of the Hazara Movement. He further noted that PMLN leadership has already expressed willingness to support the creation of smaller provinces, while leaders of the Hazara Movement remain in touch with proponents of a south Punjab province.
Captain (retd) Safdar underlined the strategic importance of the Hazara region, noting that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) begins from Hazara.
