Backchannel talks with Imran Khan are under way, while the PML-N has not initiated any project to divide the provinces, the prime minister’s adviser told senior journalists in Lahore.
LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 13th Sep, 2026) Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah said that if the issue of dividing provinces comes before Parliament, everyone will express their opinion.
He said the division of provinces could lead to the creation of administrative units or local government elections.
Speaking to journalists at the residence of senior journalist Mujeeb ur Rehman Shami in Lahore, Punjab Assembly PML-N Chief Whip Rana Arshad, PML-N leaders Zubair Gul, Rana Imran, Ghulam Mustafa and Dr Saeed Elahi, and senior journalists Sohail Warraich, Saleem Bukhari, Hafizullah Niazi, Naveed Chaudhry, Pervez Bashir, Mansoor Ali Khan, Salman Ghani, Muhammad Usman, Asim Naseer, Naushad Ali and Usman Shami, among others, were present.
Rana Sanaullah said there may have been discussions with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz regarding the project for new provinces.
He said that if those developing the project had spoken to the PML-N and the party had not introduced it, “we cannot stand there with sticks.”
He said there was still considerable time regarding the division of provinces.
If the matter came before Parliament, everyone would give their opinion, and a parliamentary or standing committee could be formed. He said the issue of provinces appeared likely to take six to eight months.
He said the division of provinces could lead to the issue of administrative units or local government elections.
The PML-N had not initiated the project for dividing provinces, and its position was clear. The PML-N’s local leadership in Punjab did not want to take Bahawalpur along with southern Punjab.
He said proposals existed either to make Bahawalpur a separate province or to keep it with Lahore.
No major statement had emerged from the PML-N in support of dividing provinces. The Pakistan Peoples Party had gained political advantage from the issue of provinces. President Zardari had supported the canal project, but it was halted after public protests.
Rana Sanaullah said there might be backchannel talks with Imran Khan, adding that adopting backchannel negotiations with him had a price that would have to be paid.
He said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf was preparing to come to Islamabad while armed.
He alleged that Fitna al-Khawarij were sponsored by India and could target a PTI rally to create distance between the government and the public. He said PTI’s protest would fall to pieces.
He said that if the federal interior minister spoke in the cabinet or Senate, they would seek an answer from him.
He said Federal Minister Sheikh Qaiser met Shehbaz Sharif every other day in his presence, adding that he did not understand Sheikh Qaiser’s objections or his claim that he had not met Shehbaz Sharif.
Rana Sanaullah said some matters were meant for deliberation and that everything should not be made public.
