Creation of New Provinces Linked to Pakistan’s Future, Says Rana Sanaullah

ISLAMABAD: Senior leader of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Adviser to the Prime Minister, Rana Sanaullah, stated that the creation of new administrative provinces is an exceptionally serious issue directly linked to the future stability and governance of Pakistan.

Speaking during an appearance on ARY News current affairs show Bakhabar Saweera, Sanaullah emphasized that any move toward provincial restructuring requires comprehensive national consensus and careful constitutional deliberation. He noted that while improving governance and administrative efficiency remains a legitimate concern, redrawing territorial boundaries involves complex legal, financial, and legislative challenges that cannot be resolved through hasty political maneuvers.

The debate surrounding new provinces—most notably demands for South Punjab, Hazara, and administrative divisions within Sindh—has periodically re-emerged in Pakistan’s political landscape. Constitutional experts point out that establishing new federating units necessitates constitutional amendments requiring a two-thirds majority in both houses of Parliament, alongside intricate adjustments to resource distribution under the National Finance Commission (NFC) award.

Sanaullah reaffirmed that the federal government remains open to constructive dialogue with all political stakeholders to address administrative grievances across the country. However, he cautioned political leadership to prioritize institutional cohesion and economic stability before pursuing structural overhauls that could alter the country’s federal framework.