Pakistan's New Provinces Row: President Zardari and PM Shehbaz Insist on Parliamentary Approval

Islamabad: The debate that started in Pakistan regarding the formation of new provinces has now reached the corridors of power. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have made it clear that to create new provinces or administrative units in the country, the procedure laid down in the Constitution will have to be followed. If there is a proposal to hold a referendum on this issue, then Parliament's approval will be necessary for that too. This was agreed upon in the meeting held between the two leaders in Lahore on Saturday. This development has happened at a time when Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi has suggested holding a referendum to gather public opinion on the formation of new provinces.

What was the agreement between Zardari and Shahbaz?

According to the report of Pakistani newspaper Dawn, President Zardari and Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif met at the Prime Minister's residence in Model Town. In the meeting, both the leaders said that any proposal to create new provinces can be taken forward only through the constitutional process. Parliament will also have the right to conduct a referendum or decide the questions to be asked to the public.

Former Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf and Senator Salim Mandviwala were also present in the meeting along with President Zardari. On behalf of the Prime Minister, Advisor on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar and National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq and other leaders attended. However, the official statement from the Prime Minister's Office did not mention the discussions on new provinces and the referendum. This information has come out quoting government sources.

Why is PPP adamant on division of Sindh?

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is especially opposing the division of Sindh on the issue of formation of new provinces. President Zardari reiterated the same stand of the party in the meeting. The PPP says the Sindh Assembly has already unanimously passed a resolution against the division of the state. Party President Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah have also made it clear many times that the division of Sindh is not acceptable to them. PPP believes that the geographical unity of the province cannot be compromised. In such a situation, the proposal for formation of new provinces is becoming a cause of differences even within the ruling coalition.

Why did Mohsin Naqvi suggest referendum?

Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi had suggested holding a referendum on the formation of new provinces or administrative units on November 12. He said that there are different opinions on this issue among political parties. In such a situation, the dispute can be resolved by taking direct opinion from the public. He had assured that political parties would be taken into confidence before taking any decision.

Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has also expressed the possibility of creating 12 provinces in Pakistan on the basis of administrative needs. He argues that in view of the increasing population and administrative needs, it may be necessary to create smaller units. However, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has not yet announced any formal policy on this.

Will new provinces be formed easily through referendum?

The process of creating new provinces in Pakistan is not limited to referendum only. According to Article 239(4) of the Constitution, any constitutional amendment altering the boundaries of a province also requires the approval of at least two-thirds of the members of the concerned provincial assembly. Therefore, the result of the referendum cannot in itself replace the constitutional process.