Rana Sanaullah says the creation of new provinces must be decided by Parliament after debate involving political parties and provincial leadership.
ISLAMABAD – Web Desk: Adviser to Prime Minister on Political Affairs and PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah has said that any decision on creating new provinces in Pakistan will be taken by Parliament.
Speaking at a press conference in Lahore on Saturday, Sanaullah said the debate over new provinces should have been initiated in Parliament rather than at business forums, seminars or through social media.
He said the matter required discussion involving all political parties and provincial leadership, adding that Parliament would ultimately determine whether any new province should be created.
“The outcome will also emerge in Parliament,” Sanaullah said.
The PML-N leader was responding to recent remarks by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who had called for the creation of new administrative units, arguing that Pakistan’s growing population and changing needs could no longer be adequately managed under the existing administrative structure.
Sanaullah said the PML-N was deliberating on the issue and would issue its policy position once the debate reached a stage where a concrete outcome could emerge.
He also said no minister had formally raised the matter before the federal cabinet so far. According to Sanaullah, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would issue appropriate directives once the issue was discussed.
Debate over public support
Sanaullah noted that Naqvi had also linked the creation of new provinces to public support.
He said determining whether people wanted a new province was ultimately a matter for Parliament. He added that even holding a referendum to gauge public opinion would require parliamentary approval.
The debate has gained momentum in recent weeks, with proposals for new administrative units drawing differing reactions from political parties.
The Sindh Assembly has already adopted a resolution opposing the division of Sindh, while the PPP has strongly opposed proposals to carve Karachi out as a separate province.
Sanaullah described the PPP’s reaction as an overreaction and said the issue should be handled through the appropriate constitutional and parliamentary process.
PML-N-PPP differences
Sanaullah also addressed tensions between the PML-N and PPP, saying differences between the two coalition partners had largely been resolved.
He said the core committees formed to address issues between the parties would hopefully meet more regularly after disruptions caused by elections in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir.
According to Sanaullah, the remaining differences would be resolved amicably as both sides remained committed to the coalition.
PTI, JI Islamabad marches
The PML-N leader also commented on planned political marches by Jamaat-i-Islami and the PTI towards Islamabad.
He said the government respected peaceful political protests and had held negotiations with JI representatives.
However, Sanaullah expressed concern over the PTI’s planned march, saying the government did not expect it to remain peaceful based on statements from PTI leaders.
He warned that violence would not be allowed and said the government was awaiting court decisions before finalising its strategy.
