Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday proposed holding a public referendum on the creation of new provinces or administrative units in Pakistan, saying the issue should ultimately be decided according to the wishes of the people.
Speaking to journalists during a visit to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in Lahore, Naqvi urged political parties to seek public opinion rather than prolong disagreements over the proposed restructuring of the country’s administrative system.
The interior minister has faced political criticism in recent months after advocating the creation of new administrative units, arguing that the existing governance system had collapsed and required a fundamental reset.
Responding to a question about the controversy, Naqvi acknowledged that political parties had the right to disagree with one another but said their shared commitment to democracy should encourage them to respect the public’s verdict.
“My only request to all political parties is that this is such an issue […] so they should hold a referendum,” he said.
Naqvi maintained that he would accept the outcome regardless of whether voters supported or opposed the proposal.
“Whatever the public’s opinion in the referendum is; if the public says [new units] should not be created, I am 100 per cent with them that they should not be created. [But], if the public says they should be made, then they should,” he stated.
The minister acknowledged differences among political parties, noting that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had its own position on the matter, while other parties held differing views without necessarily expressing them publicly.
He argued that the most effective way to resolve the disagreement was to consult the public directly.
Naqvi also suggested that any alternative proposals for improving the country’s administrative structure should be presented to citizens for consideration.
Addressing concerns about divisions within the ruling coalition, the interior minister emphasised that the government would not proceed with any major decision without consulting its political partners.
“Everyone is a part of this government, and nothing will happen against their will. And if something does happen, then it will be after taking everyone’s consensus,” he said.
Naqvi reiterated that his proposal was intended to bring the prolonged debate to a conclusion through a democratic process.
“My only recommendation is that if we were to conclude this debate, then we should just take the people’s opinion,” he added.
The proposal comes amid continuing political differences over whether creating additional provinces or smaller administrative units would improve governance and public service delivery in Pakistan.
Any formal restructuring of provincial boundaries would require constitutional procedures and political agreement, making consensus among major parties a significant factor in determining whether the proposal could move forward.