Islamabad: Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has said his government was working towards carving out a separate state of south Punjab, which he believes will open new avenues for socio-economic development.
Zardari made the commitment to a PPP delegation from southern Punjab led by Minister for Textile Industries Makhdoom Shahab-ud-Din, who met him here. Zardari, the co-chairman of the ruling party, said making South Punjab a separate province was part of nation building process envisioned by the PPP and the party would endeavour to honour its commitment, according to a report in APP.
"The creation of a Janoobi Punjab province would help provide the people of South Punjab with the needed openings and opportunities for their socio-economic development," the President said. Punjab, the most populous and politically crucial province of Pakistan, is currently ruled by the Nawaz Sharif led PML-N party. (PTI)