New provinces in Pakistan: Rana Sanaullah says parliament will take final decision

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and Adviser to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has said that any decision regarding the creation of new provinces will ultimately be taken by Parliament.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and Adviser to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has said that any decision regarding the creation of new provinces will ultimately be taken by Parliament.

Speaking at a press conference in Lahore on Saturday Sanaullah said that an issue of such importance should be debated in Parliament rather than being discussed only at business conferences, seminars or on social media.

His comments came amid renewed debate over the creation of new provinces after Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi recently argued that Pakistan’s growing population and changing administrative needs could require new administrative units.

Sanaullah said that statements made at business forums would not resolve the issue and stressed that the matter should be brought before Parliament where political parties and provincial leadership can participate in the discussion.

He reiterated that Parliament would decide whether a new province should be created. He also pointed out that Naqvi had linked the creation of new provinces to public demand saying that determining whether the public supports such a move would itself require a parliamentary process.

Sanaullah said the PML-N was currently considering the issue and would present its policy position once the debate reached a stage where meaningful results could emerge.

He added that no federal minister had formally raised the matter before the federal cabinet so far. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would issue appropriate directions once the issue was discussed at the relevant forum.

Sanaullah also commented on differences between the PML-N and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), saying that most disagreements between the coalition partners had been resolved. He said the remaining issues would be addressed amicably through the core committees of both parties.

On proposed marches towards Islamabad by Jamaat-i-Islami and PTI, Sanaullah said the government respected peaceful political protests. However, he expressed concerns about the PTI’s planned march, claiming that the government had no expectation that it would remain peaceful.

He warned that violence would not be permitted and said the government was also awaiting court decisions before finalising its strategy.

Meanwhile, the debate over new provinces continues to attract attention, with opposition parties also considering consultations on governance, the economy, law and order and the possible creation of additional provinces.