New provinces debate may take eight months, says PM’s aide

LAHORE: Prime Minister's Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah Khan clarified on Sunday that discussions on creating new provinces are still in the initial stages, with a potential timeline of six to eight months for parliamentary review. At a press conference, Khan emphasized that his party, PML-N, had not initiated the project, and that every political party and member would have a chance to voice their opinions if a formal proposal were presented to parliament.

He stated that the matter could be referred to a parliamentary or standing committee for further examination. Khan noted that the debate could lead to proposals for new administrative units or discussions on local government elections. He also questioned the decision to initiate the debate at an economic forum, emphasizing that such forums are not intended for launching major constitutional and political changes.

Khan stated that no major proposal favoring provincial division has emerged from the PML-N. Regarding the Bahawalpur division, he revealed that the PML-N's local leadership in Punjab opposed including the region in a proposed South Punjab province, with some favoring a separate Bahawalpur province and others preferring it to remain linked with Lahore.

Khan mentioned that the Pakistan Peoples Party had gained politically from the provincial division debate due to its workers' emotional alignment with the issue. He referred to the controversial canal project, indicating that President Asif Ali Zardari supported its construction but the PPP later mobilized public opposition, leading to its halt.

Khan was asked about reports of back-channel contacts with PTI founder Imran Khan, to which he replied that such communication might exist, but there would be consequences for engaging in such practices. On the issue of differences involving the federal interior minister, Khan stated that the minister could be questioned during cabinet or Senate debates.

He mentioned that Federal Minister Sheikh Qaiser met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif multiple times, and Khan did not comprehend Qaiser's claim of not having met the premier. The press conference was held in the presence of Punjab Assembly Chief Whip Rana Muhammad Arshad and several PML-N leaders, as well as senior journalists.