{
  "id": 19656445,
  "title": "Naqvi suggests referendum as 'solution' to debate on new administrative units",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/12/naqvi-suggests-referendum-as-solution-to-debate-on-new-administrative-19656445",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-12T13:34:27.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn",
    "slug": "dawn",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2044043/naqvi-suggests-referendum-as-solution-to-debate-on-new-administrative-units"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has proposed a referendum as a means to address the ongoing debate surrounding the establishment of new administrative units in the country. In a recent interview, Naqvi emphasized that holding a referendum would allow political parties to gauge the public's opinion on the matter. He acknowledged that each party had the right to oppose another party or individual, but stressed that democracy and the supremacy of the people should be upheld. Naqvi suggested that if the referendum revealed public opposition to the creation of new units, he would fully support the notion of not forming them. Conversely, if the public favored the establishment of new administrative units, they should be created. Naqvi noted that political parties had different stances on the issue, with the PPP taking a specific position and some parties remaining silent on the matter officially. He reiterated that the solution lay in considering public opinion and proposed that any viable alternative proposal should also be presented to the people. Naqvi acknowledged the importance of alliances within the ruling coalition and emphasized that no action would be taken against the will of the coalition members. He further claimed that he and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari were \"nearly on the same page\" regarding the need for a \"political reset\" and a reset of overall matters. Bilawal had previously called for unity among political parties and the end of unnecessary debates. Meanwhile, the PPP's Punjab chapter strongly opposed the creation of new provinces, arguing that it would not address economic challenges such as inflation and unemployment. Despite this, Naqvi maintained that he and Bilawal shared similar views, contrary to the PPP's stance in September, which called for a parliamentary debate on the creation of new provinces.",
  "summary": "Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday suggested that political parties hold a referendum to gauge the public’s opinion on the creation of new administrative units or provinces, terming it the “solution” to the ongoing debate. The security czar has whipped up a political storm over the past few months since he called for the formation of new administrative units in the country, saying the…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Times",
        "title": "Mohsin Naqvi backs referendum on new provinces",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/12/mohsin-naqvi-backs-referendum-on-new-provinces",
        "published": "2026-11-12T12:12:58.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}