LAHORE: Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah Khan has said the debate over creating new provinces in Pakistan remains at a preliminary stage and could take six to eight months before progressing through Parliament and its committees. He also clarified that the PML-N had not initiated the proposal.
Speaking to journalists in Lahore on Sunday, Rana Sanaullah said that if a formal proposal for new provinces reached Parliament, every political party and lawmaker would have the opportunity to present their position. The matter could subsequently be referred to a parliamentary or standing committee for detailed examination.
He said there was still considerable time before any proposal concerning the division of existing provinces could formally come before Parliament. According to him, the debate could eventually result in proposals for new administrative units or shift towards the question of strengthening local governments and holding local government elections.
The PML-N leader also questioned why such a significant constitutional and political issue had initially been raised at an economic forum. He argued that an economic platform was not the appropriate place to launch a project involving major changes to the country’s political and constitutional structure.
Rana Sanaullah said those advocating the proposal might have held discussions with members of the PML-N, but that did not mean the party itself had launched the initiative. At the same time, he said the PML-N should not automatically oppose an idea merely because it had originated elsewhere.
He stressed that no major proposal supporting the division of provinces had emerged from within the PML-N, indicating that the party had yet to formally embrace the initiative.
Discussing Bahawalpur division, Rana Sanaullah said the PML-N’s local leadership in Punjab did not favour incorporating the region into a proposed South Punjab province. He said opinion within the party remained divided, with some supporting the restoration or creation of a separate Bahawalpur province and others preferring that the region remain administratively connected with Lahore.
He also said the PPP had gained politically from the debate over provincial division because the issue had generated an emotional response among its workers.
Referring to the controversial canal project, Rana Sanaullah said President Asif Ali Zardari had initially supported its construction, but the PPP later mobilised public opposition to the project, eventually contributing to its suspension.
Responding to reports of possible back-channel communication with PTI founder Imran Khan, he said such contacts might be taking place behind the scenes. However, he added that pursuing such a course carried political consequences and those choosing it would have to bear them.
On reported differences involving the federal interior minister, Rana Sanaullah said the minister could be asked to explain his position when speaking before the federal cabinet or Senate. He also said Federal Minister Sheikh Qaiser frequently met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in his presence and expressed surprise over claims that the minister had not met the premier.
Rana Sanaullah maintained that some political and governmental matters required internal deliberation and should not necessarily be discussed publicly.
The meeting was also attended by Punjab Assembly Chief Whip Rana Muhammad Arshad, PML-N leaders Zubair Gul, Rana Imran, Ghulam Mustafa and Dr Saeed Elahi, as well as several senior journalists.
