PM adviser says new province proposals could take up to eight months in parliament

At a press gathering in Lahore, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah Khan said proposals to carve out new provinces remain in the early stages and could take six to eight months to move through parliament and its committees. He clarified that the PML-N has not originated the project and that any formal proposal would be open to comment from every party before referral to a parliamentary or standing committee for detailed scrutiny.

Khan warned that launching such a constitutional debate at an economic forum was inappropriate, though he acknowledged that some party members favor a separate Bahawalpur province while others prefer it stay linked to Lahore. He suggested the discussion might also lead to talks on local-government elections. The adviser also referenced the PPP’s role in opposing a controversial canal project after President Asif Ali Zardari’s initial support. He hinted at possible behind-the-scenes talks with PTI founder Imran Khan, noting a price would be paid for such engagement, and said the federal interior minister could be summoned for explanations in the cabinet or Senate.