New provinces cannot bypass Parliament: Tariq Fazal

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry has said Parliament and provincial assemblies cannot be sidelined in decisions regarding the creation of new provinces, stressing that any such move must follow constitutional procedures and secure broad political consensus.

Speaking on a private television programme, on Friday, Chaudhry said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) believed that establishing new provinces was a matter of national importance that required agreement among all political parties.

His remarks came amid renewed calls for a referendum to allow the public to decide whether new provinces should be established. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had reiterated his support for the proposal a day earlier, arguing that the people should have the final say on the matter.

Chaudhry, however, maintained that the Constitution provided a clear mechanism for creating new provinces and assigned a significant role to the relevant assemblies. He said their constitutional authority could not be ignored or bypassed.

The minister added that even if a referendum were proposed to determine public opinion, a proper legal and constitutional framework would be necessary. Such a decision could not be taken merely through political statements.

He said Parliament was the most appropriate forum for developing national consensus because it represented political parties and the people across the country. If a referendum indicated public support for new provinces, parliamentarians would also have to consider the majority’s wishes, as they were elected representatives of the people.

Chaudhry also urged Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to put aside political differences and participate in discussions on the issue. He called for the matter to be debated in Parliament, the federal cabinet and within political parties to develop a mutually acceptable position.

He further clarified that no initiative concerning new provinces would proceed without the agreement of all allied parties in the ruling coalition.

The debate over creating new provinces gained momentum on July 30 when Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi called for additional administrative units as part of wider governance reforms. He argued that the existing administrative structure needed substantial changes to improve public service delivery, ensure justice and provide better opportunities for young people.

The proposal triggered strong opposition in Sindh, particularly from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah rejected suggestions that the province’s governance system had collapsed and warned against any attempt to divide Sindh.

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), meanwhile, supported the establishment of new provinces and called for a national dialogue, citing population growth, administrative challenges and the concentration of political power.

The PPP maintained that improving governance and dividing provinces were separate matters. Its provincial leadership expressed willingness to discuss administrative reforms and greater devolution of powers but rejected any proposal to carve out a new province from Sindh.

On September 3, the Sindh Assembly unanimously passed a resolution opposing any division of the province or changes to its territorial boundaries. The resolution described Sindh as a historic, civilisational and constitutional entity.

Naqvi subsequently reiterated that he would continue advocating new provinces, arguing that the public should make the final decision after being informed about the advantages and disadvantages of the proposal.

The debate has also raised constitutional questions about holding a referendum. Article 48(6) of the Constitution allows a matter of national importance to be referred to the public through a referendum following approval by a joint sitting of Parliament. However, a referendum alone cannot establish a new province, as changes to provincial boundaries must still follow the constitutional procedure.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has also cautioned against dividing Sindh or any other province without the consent of its people and elected representatives. He has called for extensive consultations and a commission to examine the matter.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has similarly stressed the importance of consensus, acknowledging Sindh’s right to express its position. He has also suggested that Islamabad could be considered a starting point for future administrative restructuring.

The question of new provinces therefore remains a contentious political and constitutional issue, with parties divided over administrative reforms, provincial boundaries and the mechanism through which public opinion should be determined.