Pakistan Could Hold Public Vote for 12 New Provinces

Pakistan's government is contemplating the establishment of between 10 and 12 new provinces across the country, a proposal that has garnered attention and debate. This restructuring could see Punjab split into four provinces, while Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan might each be divided into two. The federal government has stepped up preparations for a potential nationwide referendum on the creation of these new provinces, as political leaders increasingly seek public opinion to resolve disagreements over administrative boundaries.

Plans are afoot to hold the referendum before the Senate elections, which are scheduled to take place in the first week of March 2027. The government may seek legal clarification from the courts on the framework for conducting the referendum. As the National Assembly and Senate sessions approach, they are expected to be crucial in determining the path forward, with a referendum becoming more likely as the government strives for political consensus on the issue.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has recently suggested holding a referendum to gauge public opinion on the matter, urging political parties to let the people decide. Naqvi emphasized that political parties often champion democracy and the sovereignty of the people, making a public vote a fitting means to resolve the debate. He also assured coalition partners that no decision would be made against their wishes and that any move would necessitate their consensus.

Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan echoed the call for a referendum, asserting that the will of the people should supersede the opinions of elected representatives on significant matters. Referring to the 1973 Constitution, Khan stated that ultimate authority lies with the people, arguing that a referendum should determine whether new provinces should be formed.

However, Prime Minister's Adviser Rana Sanaullah presented a contrasting constitutional viewpoint, asserting that Parliament would retain the final say over the creation of new provinces. He questioned the legal authority to conduct a referendum, suggesting that the matter would require parliamentary deliberation and debate.