PPP says any move to create new provinces must follow constitutional requirements and secure political consensus among stakeholders.
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has asked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to clearly state the federal government’s position on the creation of new provinces, saying the issue is too important for the premier to remain silent.
PPP Parliamentarians Secretary General Nayyar Hussain Bokhari said the party wanted to know whether the government was seriously considering increasing the number of provinces, particularly after some federal ministers and ruling-party figures publicly supported the idea.
The debate over creating new federating units has intensified in recent months, although the federal government has not presented any formal proposal specifying the number, boundaries or structure of possible new provinces.
Political and media discussions have produced varying figures, with suggestions ranging from eight provinces to as many as 30. However, no official plan has so far been presented before Parliament.
Bokhari said the debate had created uncertainty among the existing provinces and required a clear policy position from the federal government.
He said that if the government intended to pursue the creation of new provinces, the matter should first be discussed at the federal cabinet level. The prime minister should then consult political parties, provincial governments and other stakeholders before moving the issue forward.
The PPP leader stressed that any attempt to create new federating units would have to comply with the Constitution. He said the consent of the concerned province would be required for territorial changes.
Such a move would also require a constitutional amendment, which would need a two-thirds majority in both the National Assembly and the Senate.
The PPP’s position carries particular political weight because the party is a key coalition partner of the PML-N-led federal government. Any constitutional change concerning provincial boundaries would therefore require significant political consensus within the ruling alliance.
The PPP-led Sindh government has already taken a firm position against further division of the country’s existing four provinces. The Sindh Assembly recently passed a resolution opposing any such move.
Bokhari also referred to constitutional provisions concerning local governments, saying changes to the local government system would have to remain within the constitutional framework, including Article 140-A.
Meanwhile, PML-N leader and Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has played down speculation about an imminent move to create new provinces.
Sanaullah said no bill or resolution concerning new provinces had been presented before Parliament and that no preparations were currently under way for such legislation.
He said any proposal would require extensive consultations and political consensus before being brought before Parliament. He also said there was currently no discussion about dividing the existing provinces.
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