LAHORE, November 12, 2026: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has urged political parties to hold a public referendum on the creation of new provinces in Pakistan, saying the decision should reflect the will of the people rather than political preferences.
Speaking to journalists at the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) office in Lahore, Naqvi said public surveys had indicated support for creating new provinces and that political parties should now seek a direct public mandate.
He expressed agreement with Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s position that new provinces should be established if the public supports the proposal.
“I will stand 100 percent by the outcome of a public referendum,” Naqvi said.
The interior minister maintained that the views of all political parties were important and could not be dismissed. However, he argued that a referendum would provide the clearest way to determine public opinion on the issue.
Naqvi said political parties advocating democracy and public sovereignty should be prepared to accept the people’s decision.
Referring to the PPP, he said the party was free to seek public opinion or pursue another approach if it considered that more appropriate.
Naqvi, Bilawal Agree on System Reset
Commenting on broader political and institutional reforms, Naqvi said he and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari shared the same position on the need to reset the system.
He expressed his personal preference for a complete reset of the existing system, saying such a move could help improve governance and address longstanding challenges.
His remarks come amid renewed political discussion over the creation of new provinces and the role of public consultation in determining administrative boundaries.