Were new provinces discussed? President House clarifies Zardari-Naqvi meeting

Islamabad: The President House has issued a clarification regarding a meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi dismissing reports that discussions about creating new provinces took place during their recent interaction.

According to the President House spokesperson the meeting held on Thursday focused on national security and the evolving regional situation. The spokesperson specifically clarified that no discussions concerning provincial matters took place during the meeting.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had met President Zardari in Nawabshah with the meeting reportedly lasting around an hour.

However, sources familiar with the meeting had suggested that the discussions covered several important issues, including the country’s political situation, internal security challenges and proposals relating to the creation of new provinces.

The conflicting accounts have drawn attention to the agenda of the meeting particularly amid reports about possible administrative and political changes involving new provinces.

While sources indicated that the subject of new provinces was discussed, the official statement from the President House has rejected this account, maintaining that the conversation remained focused on national security and regional developments.

No further details about the specific security matters discussed during the meeting were disclosed.