ISLAMABAD: Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi Sunday urged the opposition party Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) to support his government to create the South Punjab province.

This he said while addressing a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Women Wing function in Multan today. The FM said that the creation of Southern Punjab as a separate province is part of his party – the PTI’s Manifesto. He said that his government has established South Punjab Secretariat and practically laid the foundation stone of the province.

Qureshi said that just as the PPP supported the SBP amendment in the Senate, so should it support South Punjab. So, it will not be difficult to become a province, he added. Replying to a question, he said that Yousuf Raza Gilani could have reached Islamabad to join the Senate session on the passing day of the SBP Amendment Bill if he had gone for morning prayers.

He said the journey to Islamabad is just five hours and he invites Gilani to Islamabad with me. I will take Yousuf Raza Gilani to Islamabad in 5 hours, he added. The foreign minister said the economy of the country is moving towards a positive trajectory despite the Covid-19 pandemic. He said that our policies regarding handling the pandemic and keeping the economy growing are being acknowledged at the international level.