The Pakistan new provinces debate has gained fresh attention after President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif discussed the country’s administrative future. Both leaders stressed that any plan to create new provinces must follow the Constitution and receive the required parliamentary approval. Their meeting in Lahore on November 14, 2026, came amid growing political discussion about dividing existing provinces into smaller administrative units. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s recent suggestion of a public referendum has added another important question to the debate. Supporters believe smaller provinces could improve public services and bring government offices closer to citizens. However, opponents worry about political tensions, rising costs, and the possible division of historic regions. The central question is simple: Can Pakistan create new provinces without parliamentary approval? Under the Constitution, the answer is no. President Zardari and PM Shehbaz Discuss New Provinces President Asif Ali Zardari met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the prime minister’s Model Town residence in Lahore on Saturday, November 14. According to reports citing officials familiar with the meeting, both leaders agreed that changes to Pakistan’s provincial structure must follow constitutional rules. They also discussed whether a referendum could help settle the growing disagreement over new provinces. President Zardari maintained the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) opposition to dividing Sindh. Prime Minister Shehbaz supported the need to follow the legal process. Senior political figures, including Rana Sanaullah, Raja Pervez Ashraf, and other government representatives, attended the meeting. The Prime Minister’s Office also issued a statement about discussions on national politics, economic conditions, and government cooperation. However, that official statement did not specifically mention the new provinces debate. This distinction matters because reports about the provincial discussion came mainly from officials familiar with the meeting. Why Is Pakistan Discussing New Provinces Again? The demand for new provinces in Pakistan is not new. Political leaders and regional groups have discussed the idea for decades. However, the issue has become more important as Pakistan’s population continues to grow. According to the 2023 national census, Pakistan had approximately 241.5 million people. Punjab alone had more than 127 million residents. Managing large populations across distant districts can create challenges for provincial governments. People living far from provincial capitals often complain about delayed development projects, limited public services, and unequal access to government offices. Supporters of smaller provinces argue that local leadership could respond more quickly to these problems. Others believe Pakistan should improve its existing institutions instead of creating more provincial governments. What Does Pakistan’s Constitution Say About New Provinces? The Constitution provides a clear legal process for changing provincial boundaries. Article 239 is particularly important because it explains how constitutional amendments must receive approval. A constitutional amendment generally requires support from at least two-thirds of the total membership of both the National Assembly and the Senate. If the amendment changes the boundaries of an existing province, the affected provincial assembly must also approve it by a two-thirds majority of its total membership. Therefore, the federal government cannot simply announce a new province through an executive decision. Table 1: Constitutional Requirements for Creating New Provinces Constitutional provision Requirement Article 239(1) A constitutional amendment needs a two-thirds majority in the house where it begins. Article 239(2) The other parliamentary house must also approve the amendment by a two-thirds majority. Article 239(4) Affected provincial assemblies must approve boundary changes by a two-thirds majority. Article 48(6) A national referendum requires approval at a joint sitting of Parliament. These requirements help protect Pakistan’s federal structure and ensure that major changes receive broad political support. Can Pakistan Hold a Referendum on New Provinces? Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has suggested holding a national referendum to understand public opinion about creating new provinces. His proposal has increased interest in the issue. Under Article 48(6), the prime minister may refer an important national question to a joint sitting of Parliament. If Parliament approves, the matter can be presented to voters through a referendum. However, a referendum and a constitutional amendment are different procedures. Even if voters support additional provinces, the government would still need to complete the constitutional process required to change provincial boundaries. This means public support alone cannot replace the necessary parliamentary and provincial assembly votes. Political Parties Have Different Views on New Provinces Pakistan’s major political parties have not reached a common position on creating additional provinces. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) The PPP strongly opposes dividing Sindh. President Zardari has maintained this position during the latest discussions. The Sindh Assembly also passed a resolution in September 2026 opposing the division of the province. PPP leaders argue that Sindh’s historic identity and constitutional rights must be protected. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) The PML-N has supported parliamentary discussion but has not announced a final party policy covering all proposed provinces. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has supported considering up to 12 provinces based on administrative needs. However, this remains a proposal rather than an approved government plan. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) PTI has not presented one clear, final position on the latest nationwide proposal. Its response could influence future discussions, particularly because provincial approval is essential for boundary changes. Which Regions Are Seeking Separate Provincial Status? Several regions have appeared repeatedly in Pakistan’s new provinces debate. South Punjab: Supporters argue that southern districts need greater control over development funds and public services. Many residents believe decisions made in Lahore do not always reflect local priorities. Bahawalpur: The demand for restoring Bahawalpur’s former provincial status has a long political history. Supporters point to regional identity and administrative needs. Hazara: Campaigners in Hazara have called for a separate province within the territory of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Their demands focus on representation and local governance. Urban Sindh: Proposals involving Karachi and other urban areas have also entered political discussions. However, these ideas face strong resistance from the PPP and other opponents of Sindh’s division. None of these proposals should be treated as an approved change to Pakistan’s provincial map. How Could New Provinces Benefit Pakistan? Supporters believe smaller provinces could make government services more accessible.