ISLAMABAD, 07 September, 2026 (Nosheen): Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon has strongly criticized federal ministers advocating the creation of new provinces or administrative units, describing them as “products of Form-47” and questioning their mandate to make major decisions for the country. Speaking in the Sindh Assembly on Monday, Memon said those questioning the 18th Amendment lacked the legitimacy to lecture others on constitutional matters. He accused the federal ministers of being “unelected representatives” and said individuals with what he termed an “artificial or handed-out mandate” could not make decisions for the nation. The debate over the creation of new provinces gained momentum after Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the existing administrative system had collapsed. Federal ministers, including Ahsan Iqbal and Mustafa Kamal, subsequently supported discussions on establishing new provinces or administrative units.
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which is an ally of the ruling PML-N at the federal level, has maintained that new provinces should be created if the people consider it appropriate. However, the Sindh Assembly, where the PPP holds power, recently passed a resolution opposing the creation of new provinces in the province. Meanwhile, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) has strongly supported the establishment of new provinces. The PML-N has yet to adopt a clear and final position on the issue. Memon said decisions concerning the country’s constitutional and administrative structure should be based on public consensus and democratic principles rather than political interests.