Key Takeaways
- PML-N’s Rana Sanaullah Khan says debate on new provinces may take six to eight months.
- The PML-N has not initiated the project and every party will have a chance to express opinions.
- The debate could lead to proposals for new administrative units or local government elections.
Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs, Rana Sanaullah Khan, has stated that any move to create new provinces is still at an early stage and may take six to eight months to go through parliament and its committees.
Speaking at a meeting with journalists in Lahore on Sunday, Rana Sanaullah Khan clarified that the PML-N has not initiated the project, but every political party and member will have an opportunity to express their opinions.
He added that the matter could be referred to a parliamentary or standing committee for detailed consideration, emphasizing that the debate could ultimately produce proposals for new administrative units or lead to discussions on local government elections.
Rana Sanaullah Khan questioned the decision to initiate the debate at an economic forum, stating that such a platform was not meant for launching projects involving major constitutional and political changes.
He stated that the PML-N’s local leadership in Punjab does not want the region to be included in a proposed South Punjab province, with some within the party favoring a separate Bahawalpur province while others want it linked with Lahore.
Regarding the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Rana Sanaullah Khan noted that it had benefited politically from the debate over provincial division, as its workers had become emotionally aligned with the issue.
He also referred to the controversial canal project, stating that President Asif Ali Zardari had initially supported its construction, but the PPP subsequently mobilized public opposition, resulting in the project being halted.
On the question of back-channel contacts with PTI founder Imran Khan, Rana Sanaullah Khan said there might be behind-the-scenes communication, but 'there is a price' for adopting such a course and whoever chose it would have to pay that price.
Regarding differences involving the federal interior minister, Rana Sanaullah Khan said the minister could be asked for an explanation when he spoke in the cabinet or Senate. He stated that Federal Minister Sheikh Qaiser met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif every other day in his presence and that he did not understand his claim of not having met the premier.
The meeting was attended by Punjab Assembly Chief Whip Rana Muhammad Arshad and PML-N leaders Zubair Gul, Rana Imran, Ghulam Mustafa, and Dr Saeed Elahi, besides senior journalists Mujeebur Rehman Shami, Sohail Warraich, Saleem Bukhari, Hafizullah Niazi, Naveed Chaudhry, Pervez Bashir, Mansoor Ali Khan, and Salman Ghani.
There is still a lot of time before the issue of provincial division comes before parliament.
Rana Sanaullah Khan, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs
Those behind the project may have spoken to the PML-N, but if we have not introduced it, it does not mean we should stand against it with a stick.
Rana Sanaullah Khan, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs
