ISLAMABAD(The COW News Digital) The federal government has announced that a debate on the creation of new provinces will be held in the National Assembly and Senate during their sessions scheduled for October.
Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the issue of creating new provinces should be discussed and debated on the floor of Parliament, which he described as the appropriate forum for such matters.
Speaking to the media, the federal minister said sessions of the National Assembly and Senate were not being held during September. However, he added that parliamentary sessions scheduled for October would provide an opportunity to discuss the issue of new provinces.
“The proper forum for debate on new provinces is Parliament,” the minister said, stressing that any discussion regarding changes to the existing administrative structure should take place through the constitutional and parliamentary process.
The announcement comes amid renewed discussion about the possibility of creating additional provinces in the country. The issue has remained a subject of political debate for years, with different regions and political groups expressing varying views on administrative restructuring.
Dr Chaudhry also clarified the government’s position regarding the federal capital, saying that Islamabad was not being turned into a separate province.
He said the government was instead considering a new governance model for Islamabad aimed at improving the administration of the federal capital. According to the minister, there had been no proposal to convert Islamabad into a province.
The clarification follows reports that a new administrative framework for Islamabad was under consideration. Earlier reports suggested that the proposed system could include a 27-member assembly and a chief executive who could hold the office of chief minister or mayor.
Another proposal reportedly under consideration involves introducing a new local tax mechanism as part of efforts to make Islamabad an autonomous administrative unit.
The developments come after the expiry of the Islamabad local government ordinance. The ordinance, issued on January 9, 2026, reportedly completed its stipulated period, prompting further discussion over the future structure of local governance in the capital.
The federal government’s decision to bring the issue of new provinces before Parliament is expected to provide political parties and lawmakers with an opportunity to present their positions on the matter.
The debate could also lead to broader discussions on administrative efficiency, regional representation, governance and the distribution of political and administrative responsibilities across the country.
