Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan expressed support for the creation of new provinces on Thursday, emphasizing that while the country requires such administrative changes, they must be approved by a broad consensus and a two-thirds majority in the relevant assemblies. Speaking on a political talk show, Gohar highlighted the necessity of new provinces but insisted that any such step should follow constitutional procedures.
Meanwhile, Gohar also voiced skepticism about Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif completing his full five-year term, hinting at political instability within the government.
The ongoing debate over the formation of new provinces was reignited by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who recently stated that Pakistan’s current governance system has effectively “collapsed” and is incapable of resolving the country’s pressing challenges. Naqvi called for fundamental administrative reforms, including the establishment of new administrative units, warning that without such changes, Pakistan would continue facing the same issues for the next decade.
However, Naqvi later clarified that his remarks were not intended as a formal indictment of the government, asserting his role as part of the administration. He reaffirmed his belief that the system has deteriorated over the past 80 years, suggesting that if it had functioned properly, Pakistan would have achieved significantly greater progress.
Addressing rumors of discord with the prime minister, Naqvi dismissed suggestions of a strained relationship, stating that some individuals wished to see tensions between him and Shehbaz Sharif, but such notions were unfounded.
Notably, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has outright rejected the idea of new provinces. Similarly, several of Naqvi’s colleagues, including Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Prime Minister’s adviser Rana Sanaullah, have not endorsed the proposal.
In a firm response, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah opposed any division of Sindh province, noting that the Constitution already outlines a process for creating new provinces, which requires a two-thirds majority resolution in the provincial assembly. He pointed out that the Sindh Assembly has consistently passed unanimous resolutions against dividing the province, adding that any change in this stance would warrant further discussion, though such a shift appears unlikely.
Separately, Rana Sanaullah distanced the government from Naqvi’s statements, describing them as incoherent and unclear in intent. He suggested that Naqvi’s comments reflected personal views rather than official government policy and acknowledged that the minister may have attempted to make a broader point but failed to articulate it properly. Sanaullah confirmed that PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif had instructed Naqvi to refrain from further comments on the matter and expressed serious reservations about the tone of Naqvi’s remarks.
Sanaullah also confirmed that Naqvi had met with the prime minister, where these issues were likely discussed. He emphasized that the Constitution already provides mechanisms for creating smaller provinces and administrative units, and that any decision should follow parliamentary debate.
Recalling his own political experience, Sanaullah mentioned that during PML-N’s tenure in Punjab from 2013 to 2018, he had moved resolutions to establish a commission and create two new provinces in Punjab. He stressed the need for a national commission to address complex issues related to new provinces, including financial arrangements and representation in the National Assembly, provincial assemblies, and the Senate.
He described the matter as intricate, suggesting Pakistan could adopt smaller provinces, strengthen local government systems, or combine both approaches, but ultimately, political parties must reach a consensus.
Finally, Sanaullah dismissed rumors that the establishment had set any deadlines for creating new administrative units, labeling such claims as fabricated stories without basis in reality.
