Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, stated that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) views the ongoing discussion about creating new provinces as premature. This issue continues to spark political controversy across the country. His comments followed the Sindh Assembly’s recent resolution opposing any division of the province, boundary changes, or the establishment of new administrative units. The resolution was passed despite a boycott by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), which is a coalition partner of PML-N at the federal level.
Speaking on a current affairs programme, Sanaullah noted that the resolution adopted by the Sindh Assembly mirrored previous ones on the matter. He described the heightened tensions and intensity surrounding the provincial debate as unnecessary, particularly criticizing the targeting of the National Assembly during speeches in Sindh. Sanaullah emphasized that PML-N would articulate its stance when appropriate but maintained that initiating discussions on new provinces at this point was premature.
Meanwhile, Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal has suggested the creation of 12 to 15 new provinces, urging Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to form a committee to reassess the country’s administrative framework. This proposal has reignited a long-standing debate over Pakistan’s provincial structure. In July, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi described the current system as having “collapsed” and stated that any referendum on provinces would first require parliamentary approval. Naqvi also criticized the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), accusing it of exploiting the issue to maintain political relevance.
In a significant development, Sanaullah acknowledged that the division of Sindh remains a critical political issue for the PPP. Addressing claims made by his cabinet colleague Mustafa Kamal, Sanaullah refuted the assertion that MQM-P was unaware of consultations related to the 26th constitutional amendment. He confirmed that discussions had taken place and noted that MQM-P had spent approximately six weeks outside the residence of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman.
Sanaullah also drew parallels to the controversy over canal water distribution, highlighting that protests in Sindh had occurred over that issue as well. He mentioned that the government had engaged with Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on the canals dispute, stressing that the matter represented not only the PPP’s interests but also the voice of Sindh’s people. He accused the PPP of using the resolution and speeches as political tools to gain favor with the public.
On the other hand, PPP spokesperson Shazia Marri defended the Sindh Assembly as the proper platform for debating provincial matters. Speaking on a political talk show, Marri pointed out that opposition members had not taken a clear position, whereas PPP lawmakers had explicitly expressed their views. She noted that opposition speeches included assurances against dividing Sindh. Addressing Federal Minister Khawaja Asif, she reminded him that Pakistan is not a colony and emphasized that the federation’s strength lies in its provinces.
Marri further explained that provinces were not created based on individual preferences or linguistic lines. She recalled that the Sindh Assembly had passed the initial resolution for Pakistan’s creation. Additionally, she highlighted that Sindh is the only province currently operating under a local government system. Marri criticized those who advocate for stronger local governments but support proposals that exclude such systems in Islamabad, labeling this stance as hypocritical. She urged clarity on intentions, warning against using sensitive issues for political point-scoring.
Meanwhile, MQM-P senior leader and Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal stated that all stakeholders agree the country cannot continue under the existing administrative system. Speaking on the same programme, Kamal revealed that his party had twice attempted to introduce constitutional amendments related to local governments. He questioned what alternatives remain if these efforts fail. Kamal also criticized the PPP’s administrative policies in Karachi, noting that the city was once a single district but was divided into seven districts by the PPP for political motives. He questioned why Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has remained silent on the provincial issue.
