Key Takeaways
- Opposition leaders warn against creating new provinces without public consensus.
- Acting PTI chairman Gohar Ali Khan calls for a commission and parliamentary debate.
- Opposition questions the timing and constitutional procedure of the proposal.
The opposition in Pakistan has warned the government against making any hasty decisions regarding the creation of new provinces, emphasizing the need for political and public consensus.
Acting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan stated that dividing any of the four provinces without the consent of their residents and elected representatives could create further complications rather than resolve governance issues.
Gohar Ali Khan highlighted the example of the 18th Constitutional Amendment in 2010, which was passed after broad political agreement, as a precedent for handling major constitutional matters.
The opposition leader in the Senate, Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, questioned the timing of the proposal, stating that the issue had not been discussed in parliament or provincial assemblies.
Abbas, a senior leader of the Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Aain-e-Pakistan (TTAP) alliance, called on the government to bring all political parties together and develop a collective position on the matter.
He also questioned whether any existing provincial assembly had passed a resolution seeking the creation of a new province, as required under the constitutional procedure.
Abbas urged the government to avoid what he described as further “experimental trials” and controversial legislation, instead focusing on strengthening local governments and ensuring free and fair elections.
The debate over new provinces gained momentum in late July after Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi called for the creation of new administrative units as part of reforms to the country’s governance structure.
The proposal has since exposed differences within the federal coalition and prompted calls from opposition parties for broader political consultation before any constitutional or administrative changes are pursued.
Let a consensus be formed first.
Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Acting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman
Why is the issue of creating new provinces or administrative units being raised when no discussion has been held?
Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, Opposition leader in the Senate
