Forming separate South Punjab province not easy: President Alvi

PESHAWAR: President Dr Arif Alvi on Saturday said that forming a separate South Punjab province will not be easy.

Addressing a press conference alongside Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor, President Alvi said, “The merger of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) has happened and we have to constantly look at the problems in the region. We plan to spend Rs1,000 billion on the repair of the region.”

“No member of the Levies or special forces will be jobless. We will provide employment for 30,000 people,” he assured.

The president continued, “Forming a new South Punjab province is not going to be easy. There are problems there, including the distribution of assets, water and other issues.”

“We will overcome these issues,” President Alvi vowed.

The president further said, “We came to the realisation in Gilgit-Baltistan and Naran that construction without any planning destroyed the beauty of the region. Haphazard buildings destroyed Murree. We will try to promote tourism without affecting the natural atmosphere.”

On the subject of missing persons, President Alvi said that we need to pay attention to this issue.

When asked to comment on Prime Minister Imran Khan's recent statement to use poultry to eradicate poverty, he said, “I did not advise the government about the chicken and eggs plan. I urge the PM and government to do their work instead of reacting criticism.”

In response to another question the president said, "There is no discussion over the termination of the Eighteenth Amendment."