PTI warns against ‘hasty decisions’ on provinces

• KP CM backs Sindh’s stance, says will not support new units without Imran’s nod • Gohar says decision without consensus to weaken federation • Senate opposition leader suggests collective stand against move KARACHI: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Monday said the PTI would not back any move to create new provinces without the explicit approval of party founder Imran Khan, while PTI interim chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan cautioned the federal government against “hasty decisions” that could weaken the federation. Addressing a ceremony organised by the Sindh High Court Bar Association in Karachi, the KP chief minister said his party stood with the people of Sindh on the issue of provinces. He criticised the constitutional amendments, saying that out of 27 amendments so far made in the Constitution, people only benefited from the 18th and 25th amendments while other changes were allegedly aimed at giving exemption to those in power from accountability. PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja claimed that changes to the country’s constitutional framework were being planned to introduce the 28th Constitutional Amendment that would alter the constitutional requirement of a two-thirds majority in a provincial assembly for the creation of provinces. “We opposed the 26th and 27th amendments and will oppose the 28th Amendment as well, ” he maintained. Gohar cautions against ‘hasty decisions’ PTI leader Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on Monday cautioned against making any “hasty decision” regarding the creation of new provinces, saying it would weaken the federation. Speaking to reporters in the federal capital, the PTI chairman said that dividing any of the four provinces, if done against the will of their residents and their representatives, would “weaken the federation”. “Let a consensus be formed first; a commission should be set up on it, and deliberations should be held. Eventually, the new parliament that will come, those public representatives should review and provide consensus, ” the PTI chairman said. He called for building consensus on the matter, similar to the large-scale political agreement reached at the time of the 18th Amendment in 2010. “Any decision, if taken, should be made after that. Making any hasty decision, in our opinion, will be against the federation’s unity, ” Mr Gohar said. Senator notes lack of discussion Opposition Leader in Senate Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, who is part of the opposition alliance Tehreek-i-Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP), questioned the lack of a discussion in parliament on the matter. During an interaction with journalists, the opposition leader said, “Neither the federal cabinet has made the decision, nor have the National Assembly or Senate or the provinces discussed it. ” “Why is this matter being raised when no discussion has been held? From whom is this [proposal]? ” he asked. The opposition leader contended that the PML-N’s “party policy was silent” on the matter. He suggested that the government should “gather all parties and take a collective stand against this dangerous move”. “The opposition would also support them for Constitutional supremacy and for Pakistan’s stability, ” he added. Published in Dawn, September 8th, 2026

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