Lahore, November 12, 2026: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday proposed that political parties hold a referendum to seek public opinion on the creation of new provinces or administrative units, describing it as a way to resolve the ongoing debate over the issue.
Speaking to the media during a visit to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in Lahore, Naqvi said every political party had the right to hold its own position on the matter.
However, he pointed out that all political parties supported democracy and the supremacy of the people, arguing that public opinion should determine whether new administrative units should be created.
“My only request to all political parties is that this is such an issue that they should hold a referendum,” he said.
He added that if the public rejected the creation of new provinces, he would fully support that decision, while a public mandate in favour of new provinces should also be respected.
Naqvi acknowledged that political parties had different positions on the issue, noting that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had its own stance, while some other parties had yet to officially clarify their positions.
He stressed that any alternative proposal offering a better solution should also be presented before the public for consideration.
Emphasizing the importance of political consensus, the interior minister said all coalition partners were part of the government and no decision would be taken against their wishes.
“Nothing will happen against their will. And if something does happen, then it will be after taking everyone’s consensus,” he said.
Naqvi had also stated in September that new administrative units would only be created with public consent, while reiterating his support for the proposal.
Naqvi sees common ground with Bilawal
Responding to another question, Naqvi said he and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari were largely on the same page regarding the need for a broader political and governance reset.
Referring to Bilawal’s recent remarks calling for a political reset and greater unity among political parties, Naqvi said the PPP chairman had spoken about resetting political matters, while his own proposal concerned a broader restructuring of the country’s affairs.
On Tuesday, Bilawal had urged political parties to set aside unnecessary disputes and unite in the national interest, particularly as Pakistan faced major economic and regional challenges arising from tensions in the Middle East.
His remarks came amid recent exchanges between federal ministers and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who has indicated plans to strengthen his ties with opposition parties.
The PPP chairman had also questioned the need for new political experiments when the country was confronting serious economic challenges.
The PPP’s Punjab chapter has separately rejected proposals for new provinces, arguing that such a move would not address major issues such as inflation and unemployment.
Although Naqvi said he and Bilawal shared broadly similar views, the PPP chairman had called in September for a parliamentary debate on the creation of new provinces, suggesting that Naqvi should raise the issue in Parliament rather than at business forums.
The PPP, which governs Sindh and is an ally of the PML-N-led federal government, has strongly opposed the creation of a separate province within Sindh. It maintains that any decision on the matter must follow constitutional and parliamentary procedures and be based on political consensus.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s recent proposal for the creation of 12 additional provinces has also added to the debate.
Naqvi says corruption exists across Pakistan
During his interaction with reporters, the interior minister was also asked about Federal Minister Chaudhry Salik’s recent allegations of corruption in Punjab.
Responding to the question, Naqvi said corruption existed across the country and it was the government’s responsibility to eliminate it.
“If someone is saying that no corruption is taking place in Pakistan, then apologies, but corruption exists across the entire country and it is our responsibility to end it,” he said.
He stressed that corruption should be highlighted wherever it occurred.
The issue emerged after PML-Q leader Chaudhry Salik criticized the Punjab government led by the PML-N, alleging that he regularly received complaints of corruption.
Following his remarks, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz issued a Rs5 billion defamation notice to Salik, demanding that he retract his allegations.
Naqvi was also questioned about a Capital Development Authority (CDA) notice concerning the residence of JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.
Defending the CDA action, the interior minister said the campaign had been underway for months and was not directed against any particular individual.
