LAHORE: Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said on Saturday that any referendum on the creation of new provinces would only be held after approval from a joint session of Parliament.
Speaking to journalists in Lahore, Sanaullah said Parliament was the most appropriate forum to discuss the issue of creating new provinces, adding that the matter had not yet been presented before the federal cabinet.
“The matter of new provinces has not yet been brought before the cabinet,” the prime minister’s adviser said.
Sanaullah maintained that if Parliament approved the proposal through a joint session, a referendum could subsequently be held to seek public opinion on the creation of new provinces.
He further said that all political parties would respect and abide by Parliament’s decision on the matter.
The debate over the creation of new provinces has remained a politically sensitive issue in Pakistan, with various political groups and stakeholders periodically calling for administrative restructuring to improve governance and representation.