Parliament to debate new provinces next month, says minister

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry announced on Thursday that the parliament would discuss the formation of new provinces or administrative units next month. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had previously advocated for this change in late July, criticizing the current system as "collapsed". Chaudhry stated that the National Assembly and Senate sessions are scheduled for October, but the exact dates have not been set.

He emphasized that parliament is the appropriate platform for such debates, as the National Assembly represents all four provinces and the Senate has equal representation from each province. Chaudhry expressed optimism about a constructive discussion on the topic during the upcoming session. He clarified that the proposal does not involve changing Islamabad's federal status but aims to enhance its governance model by creating a legislative assembly while preserving its federal position.

The draft, prepared by a five-member committee appointed by the prime minister, is based on a review of governance models from other capitals globally. Chaudhry pledged to consult with various stakeholders, including political parties, Islamabad's bar and chamber of commerce, residents, and intellectuals, before finalizing the proposal.