HARIPUR GNP): The demand for a separate Hazara province has gained fresh momentum following a grand Hazara Convention held in Haripur.
The convention was organized under the auspices of Hazara Province Movement leader and Senator Talha Mahmood. It was attended by Chairman of the Hazara Province Movement and Federal Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousuf, Senator Talha Mahmood, Member of the National Assembly Babar Nawaz Khan, former Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sardar Sabir Shah, former Federal Minister Murtaza Javed Abbasi, former Provincial Minister Qazi Asad, along with a large number of political and social leaders and citizens from across the Hazara Division.
Addressing the convention, Sardar Muhammad Yousuf said the creation of Hazara province is a legitimate and constitutional right of the people of Hazara, adding that the sacrifices of the youth who laid down their lives during the movement will not go in vain.
He noted that the Hazara province movement has been ongoing since 2010 and continues with the same passion and determination.
“The people of Hazara have always proven their love and loyalty to Pakistan. Hazara is the region that played a historic role in the accession to Pakistan. Even today, no anti-Pakistan voice has ever emerged from Hazara. The people here are patriotic and love Pakistan,” he said.
Sardar Yousuf stated that with the growing population, the current administrative structure is no longer sufficient to resolve public issues, and the creation of new provinces has become an administrative necessity. The establishment of Hazara province, he said, will not only solve the problems of the people but will also allow for better utilization of the region’s resources.
He emphasized that the Hazara province movement is not a movement of any single political party but a people’s movement. While all political parties are respected, he said, all parties and leadership must unite on the demand for Hazara province. “Whoever raises their voice for Hazara province, we will stand with them,” he added.
He said the issue is being raised vociferously in the National Assembly and other forums and will continue to be pursued. He announced that after various areas of Hazara, the movement will be taken to other parts of the country, with conventions to be held in Islamabad, Karachi, and other cities.
Senator Talha Mahmood, in his address, said sixteen years have passed since the start of the movement, and it is no longer confined to Hazara alone. He said a debate on the creation of new provinces and administrative units is now underway across Pakistan, and new provinces are a symbol of a better and stronger administrative system.
He said the failure of the current system has left people facing economic hardships, with people struggling for employment and basic facilities. He said Hazara is not lacking in natural and economic resources, with vast potential for power generation, CPEC, and other projects, but the local population should be the first to benefit from these resources.
“The objective of the Hazara province is not to stand against any region or party, but to provide people with their rights, resources, and a better administrative system. The people of Hazara are united and want to work for the strength of Pakistan,” he said.
MNA Babar Nawaz Khan said the people of Hazara still face difficulties in accessing basic facilities. If Hazara province is created, he said, people will no longer have to knock on political doors repeatedly for the resolution of local issues.
He said people from Hazara work in different parts of the country but remain connected to their families in this region, which is proof of their love for the land. “We are united for the creation of Hazara province, and as a member of the National Assembly, I will raise this demand on every forum,” he said.
He added that Pakistan needs peace, stability, and development, and the nation must unite to face the challenges confronting the country. He appealed to the public to pray for the security, stability, and prosperity of Pakistan.
Former Federal Minister Murtaza Javed Abbasi said the demand for Hazara province has reached a point where it can no longer be ignored. He lauded the unity and passion displayed by the people, youth, women, and people from different schools of thought in Hazara.
“The services and sacrifices of those who gave their lives for Hazara province will always be remembered. Hazara province is the identity and right of the people of Hazara, and we will not back down from this demand,” he said.
He warned that if new provinces are created in the country and Hazara is ignored, it will not be acceptable under any circumstances. He called upon all political parties to rise above political differences and support the people of Hazara on this issue.
Other speakers at the convention also strongly supported the demand, stating that the people of Hazara have struggled for this for a long time and the time has come to give it practical shape.
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The convention concluded with a special prayer for the security, stability, and prosperity of Pakistan, while participants raised spirited slogans of “Pakistan Zindabad” and in favor of Hazara province.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
