In Pakistan, PPP demands Shehbaz Sharif state position on new provinces — Dawn
In Pakistan, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), an ally in the government coalition led by the Pakistan Muslim League–Nawaz (PML-N), is demanding that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif make public his position on the possible creation of new provinces. As Dawn reports, the party drew attention to the absence of a public statement by the head of government, while some members of the federal cabinet had expressed support for the idea.
PPP demands
PPP Parliamentarians Secretary General Nayyar Hussain Bukhari said that the creation of new entities of the federation must take place through the constitutional procedure and with the consent of the provinces. According to him, if the government is seriously considering increasing the number of provinces, the issue must first be considered by the federal cabinet, while the prime minister must hold consultations with political forces and other stakeholders.
Bukhari noted that such a step requires a constitutional amendment, which must be passed by the National Assembly and the Senate with a two-thirds majority. The PML-N-led government has such a majority in the National Assembly with PPP support. He also recalled the lengthy consultations during the drafting of the 1973 Constitution and before the adoption of the 18th constitutional amendment.
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Earlier, the provincial assembly of Sindh, where the PPP leads the government, approved a resolution against further division of Pakistan’s four existing provinces. PPP lawmaker Agha Rafiullah last month urged Shehbaz Sharif to make a policy statement on new provinces in the National Assembly.
Statement by the prime minister’s adviser
Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said that neither a bill nor a resolution on the creation of new provinces had been submitted to parliament. According to him, no preparations for such a decision are currently underway, nor is the division of existing provinces being discussed.
Sanaullah added that consultations and consensus among political parties are necessary before any relevant document is submitted to parliament. Media reports have mentioned options for increasing the number of provinces from eight to 30, but the authorities have not announced an official plan.
