Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif supports the creation of new provinces in Pakistan, according to senior journalist Hamid Mir.
Mir said that the prime minister has clearly expressed his support for creating new provinces during recent meetings where the issue was discussed.
He said that whenever the formation of new provinces has come under discussion, PM Shehbaz has maintained that new provinces should be created in the country.
According to Mir, some senior federal ministers also share the prime minister’s view and believe that Pakistan should have new provinces.
What is PPP’s stance on creation of new provinces?
Prior to this, Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, also said that the PPP will support public opinion regarding the creation of new provinces.
He also stressed that such decisions should be based on the census rather than force.
Bilawal Bhutto said during his press conference today in Islamabad, “How can I say that PPP is against new provinces when no assembly has opposed the idea?”
He also mentioned that the party’s position is clear on the issue of new provinces, as it would support public opinion regarding the creation of small provinces.
“We have never accepted decisions through force, nor will we ever do so,” Bilawal said.
Shaukat Yousafzai supports the creation of new provinces
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shaukat Yousafzai has also shown support for the proposal to create new provinces. He also said that the government should first hold free and fair elections.
Speaking on a private media channel, Yousafzai said elected representatives in parliament should decide whether the country needs additional provinces.
“Free and fair elections should be held before creating new provinces. The real representatives of the people should make the decision,” he said.
He added that if political parties failed to reach a consensus, the government should hold a referendum on the issue.
‘New administrative units or provinces are the solution’
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi addressed Pakistan’s first Economic Summit held in Islamabad, saying that new administrative units or provinces are the solution to the problems of the country.
Speaking at the first Pakistan Economic Summit, Naqvi further said he usually avoids making political speeches, but felt it was necessary to speak about politics on this occasion.
He said representatives from Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had spoken about the problems in their provinces.
The Federal Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, further said that he has been part of the political system for the past three and a half years. He said that if nothing changes, people will still be discussing the same problems ten years from now.