Prime Minister (PM)’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah Khan has said that any proposal for creating new provinces remains at an early stage and PML-N has not initiated the process.
Speaking at a meeting with journalists on Sunday, Rana Sanaullah said that a formal proposal would first have to reach parliament before political parties and lawmakers could debate it.
He explained that parliament could refer the matter to a standing or parliamentary committee for further consideration. He added that the process could take six to eight months before moving through parliament and its committees.
“There is still a lot of time before the issue of provincial division comes before parliament,” he stated, adding that the discussion could also lead to proposals for new administrative units or bring local government elections into the debate.
Rana Sanaullah questioned why the issue was raised at an economic forum, stressing that such a platform was not meant for projects involving major constitutional and political changes.
“Those behind the project may have spoken to the PML-N, but if we have not introduced it, it does not mean we should stand against it,” he observed.
He emphasised that PML-N had not put forward any major proposal for dividing provinces.
“When PML-N has not started this project, you should understand what our line is,” he remarked.
On the status of Bahawalpur, Rana Sanaullah said that PML-N’s local leadership in Punjab did not want the region to become part of a proposed South Punjab province. He added that some party members supported a separate Bahawalpur province while others wanted the area to remain connected with Lahore.
He also said that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had gained politically from the provincial division debate as its workers had become emotionally attached to the issue.
Discussing the controversial canal project, Rana Sanaullah said that President Asif Ali Zardari had backed its construction but the PPP later mobilised opposition against it, eventually forcing the project to stop.
Asked about reports of back-channel contacts with PTI founder Imran Khan, Rana Sanaullah said that such communication could be taking place behind the scenes. However, he added that “there is a price” for pursuing such a course and those involved would have to pay it.
On reported differences involving the federal interior minister, Rana Sanaullah said that the minister could be asked to explain his position when he appears before the cabinet or Senate.
He also mentioned that Federal Minister Sheikh Qaiser met PM Shehbaz Sharif every other day in his presence and questioned his claim that he had not met the premier.
“Some matters are meant for deliberation. Everything should not be made public,” he said.
The meeting was attended by Punjab Assembly Chief Whip Rana Muhammad Arshad, PML-N leaders Zubair Gul, Rana Imran, Ghulam Mustafa and Dr Saeed Elahi and senior journalists including Mujeebur Rehman Shami, Sohail Warraich, Saleem Bukhari, Hafizullah Niazi, Naveed Chaudhry, Pervez Bashir, Mansoor Ali Khan and Salman Ghani.
