Web Desk: Federal government plans to hold discussions in both houses of parliament in October on proposals for creating new provinces, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said.
The announcement could revive debate over a long-running political issue that has periodically gained momentum in different parts of the country.
Speaking to reporters, Chaudhry said neither the National Assembly nor the Senate would hold sessions during September. However, both chambers are expected to meet in October, when lawmakers will discuss proposals concerning the formation of new provinces.
He said parliament was the appropriate forum for debating the issue and indicated that the matter would be taken up through the two legislative houses.
“The proper forum for discussion on the creation of new provinces is the Parliament House,” Chaudhry said.
The proposed debate could provide lawmakers an opportunity to present their positions on administrative restructuring and the possible creation of additional provinces.
Chaudhry also sought to clarify speculation surrounding the future administrative status of Islamabad.
He said the federal capital was not being considered for provincial status. Instead, the government was working toward introducing a new governance framework for Islamabad.
“There is no proposal to turn Islamabad into a separate province,” he said.
According to the minister, the government’s plan for Islamabad therefore concerns a change in its governance structure rather than the creation of a new province.
The planned parliamentary discussions are expected to bring the question of new provinces back into the national political debate.
While the government has not provided details of specific provincial proposals in the announcement, Chaudhry confirmed that both the National Assembly and Senate would have a role in discussing the issue when they meet in October.
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