Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader and Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has described December as a crucial month for the proposed creation of new provinces, saying a referendum will be held on the issue.
Addressing party workers in Karachi, he accused opponents of the proposal of fuelling linguistic divisions in Sindh and called for an end to feudal and capitalist systems.
According to media reports, the government plans to introduce a special administrative model for Islamabad, headed by a mayor and supported by an elected body of 25 to 30 members. The proposal also envisages expanding the capital’s boundaries to include parts of Haripur, Rawalpindi and Murree.
The debate has gained momentum following Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s endorsement of a referendum and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s support for creating additional provinces on administrative grounds.
A proposal to reorganise Pakistan into 12 provinces is also under discussion, potentially dividing Punjab into four provinces, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan into three each, and Sindh into two. However, no final decision has been announced on boundaries or the constitutional process.
Foreign Delegates Arrive in Islamabad for ECO Ministerial Meeting
