{
  "id": 19917771,
  "title": "Punjab Assembly speaker endorses referendum proposal on new provinces",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/14/punjab-assembly-speaker-endorses-referendum-proposal-on-new-provinces",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-14T04:11:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn - Pakistan",
    "slug": "dawn-pakistan",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2044409/punjab-assembly-speaker-endorses-referendum-proposal-on-new-provinces"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "LAHORE: Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan has backed a proposal to hold a referendum on the establishment of new provinces in Pakistan. Delivering remarks at the inauguration of the Educational Arena Expo on Friday, Khan emphasized that the people's will supersedes the opinions of elected representatives on crucial matters. He cited the 1973 Constitution, which grants ultimate power to the populace, and suggested that a referendum could provide direct insight into public opinion. \"If the people say new provinces should be created, then go ahead and create them; and if they say they should not be formed, then do not,\" Khan stated.\n\nThe Punjab Assembly speaker's endorsement came in response to a recent suggestion by the federal interior minister for a referendum on new federating units. Khan maintained that parliament would ultimately decide on the matter, but noted that any procedural steps would first require parliamentary approval. Responding to the Pakistan Peoples Party's stance in Sindh, Khan affirmed that the province's electorate should determine the issue through a referendum if they so choose.\n\nPrime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah took a more cautious constitutional view, arguing that any referendum's authority would ultimately rest with parliament, and that the question of who conducts it remains unresolved. He added that the matter had not been formally tabled in the legislature, and that once it was, a parliamentary debate would ensue. During his media appearance, Khan also addressed broader governance issues, including the need to empower local government institutions, enhance public resource distribution without political bias, and improve infrastructure via initiatives like the Suthra Punjab programme and Maryam Nawaz Health Clinics.",
  "summary": "LAHORE: Endorsing a proposal to hold a referendum on the creation of new provinces in the country, Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan says the will of the masses holds supremacy over the opinion of elected representatives on matters of public importance. Speaking to the media after inaugurating the Educational Arena Expo here on Friday, he referred to the 1973 Constitution, noting…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}