Hazara Province Demand Gains Momentum Amidst Talks with PM Shehbaz Sharif
At a glance
- Sardar Yousaf revealed talks with PM Shehbaz Sharif on Hazara province.
- MQM-P announced a 'grand national dialogue' on new provinces today, August 16.
- Abdul Aleem Khan has expressed support for the Hazara province demand.
Story so far
A significant political debate is ongoing in Pakistan regarding the potential creation of new administrative units and provinces, including long-standing demands for South Punjab and Hazara provinces. Proponents argue new provinces are necessary for improved governance due to population growth. While the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) reportedly opposed the idea, then a consensus was reported, Prime Minister's Advisor Rana Sanaullah later stated no plan exists, challenging federal ministers to present a written formula and noting a lack of popular demand except for Hazara. A PTI member moved a resolution for Hazara province, and PML-N is reportedly working towards consensus. MQM-P announced a 'grand national dialogue' on new provinces today, August 16, with Chairman Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui stating existing provinces lacked legal merits and were linguistic, advocating for more units nationwide, especially in Sindh. MQM-P also intends to move the Supreme Court, with Farooq Sattar clarifying this does not imply Sindh's division. Ijaz-ul-Haq stated PPP, PML-N, and PTI would oppose new provinces, while Abdul Aleem Khan supported the Hazara province demand.
Latest development
Sardar Yousaf has revealed that talks have taken place with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif regarding the creation of Hazara province, indicating high-level engagement on the issue.
Latest updates
Sardar Yousaf has revealed that talks have taken place with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif regarding the creation of Hazara province. This comes as Sardar Yousaf also thanked Abdul Aleem Khan for his support for the Hazara province demand.
Separately, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) announced its initiative to begin a 'grand national dialogue' on the creation of new provinces today, August 16.
In a related development, Abdul Aleem Khan has expressed support for the demand to create a Hazara province.
Farooq Sattar has clarified that the creation of new administrative units does not imply the division of Sindh.
In a new development, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) has announced its intention to move the Supreme Court regarding the creation of new provinces. This comes as Ijaz-ul-Haq stated that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will oppose the creation of new provinces.
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) announced on Sunday, August 16, 2026, its initiative to begin a "grand national dialogue" on the creation of new provinces. MQM-P Chairman Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui stated in Karachi that the party would approach other political parties for talks on the matter. He emphasized that existing provinces were not created with legal merits and were based on linguistic grounds, and that more administrative units are needed due to the country's growing population. Dr. Siddiqui noted that MQM-P has advocated for this for 40 years and expressed gratitude that other parties are now favoring this long-standing demand. He clarified that MQM-P seeks new administrative units across the country, not just in Sindh, though the case for provinces is "strongest" in Sindh.
A member of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has moved a resolution for the creation of Hazara province.
Prime Minister's Advisor for Political Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, has stated that no plan has been made yet regarding the creation of new provinces. He mentioned that various numbers, such as 12, 32, or 20 provinces, are being discussed without any concrete proposal. Rana Sanaullah clarified that authorities have not discussed the matter with the government, nor has it been debated in the cabinet or parliament. He challenged federal ministers advocating for new provinces to present a written formula. He also noted that there is no popular public demand for new provinces, except for the Hazara province.
Reports indicate that all major political parties have reached a consensus on the creation of new administrative units and provinces. This development suggests a significant shift in the ongoing debate regarding provincial restructuring in Pakistan.
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