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Zardari, Naqvi Discuss New Provinces Amid Pakistan Crisis
Pakistan’s president, Asif Ali Zardari, met Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in London.
The meeting lasted about 90 minutes.
They reportedly discussed whether Pakistan should create new provinces or administrative areas.
Naqvi was said to have brought a message from Field Marshal Asim Munir.
Zardari reportedly wants any changes to begin in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He is cautious about changing Sindh because his party is politically strong there.
He is also cautious about Balochistan because of its security problems.
One possible plan is to create local governments and administrative units before formally creating provinces.
The debate could affect whether the Pakistan Peoples Party continues supporting the government.
Asif Ali Zardari and Mohsin Naqvi held a roughly 90-minute meeting in London.
Sources said Naqvi carried a message from Field Marshal Asim Munir to Zardari.
The reported discussion focused on new provinces, administrative restructuring and Pakistan’s political crisis.
Zardari reportedly favored beginning with Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which have passed related resolutions.
He was said to oppose immediately dividing Sindh or Balochistan because of political and security concerns.
- Who
- President Asif Ali Zardari and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met; sources said Field Marshal Asim Munir and Nawaz Sharif were also involved in the wider discussions.
- What
- They reportedly discussed creating new provinces or administrative units and managing Pakistan’s political crisis.
- Where
- The meeting took place in London, United Kingdom.
- When
- The meeting was reported on September 3, 2026; sources said the next 8–10 days could be important.
- Why
- The reported discussions addressed pressure for provincial restructuring, political fallout, and whether the Pakistan Peoples Party will continue supporting the Shehbaz Sharif government.
Gradual, Regionally Limited Approach
Broader Provincial Restructuring
Where to begin
Gradual, Regionally Limited Approach
Zardari reportedly favors starting in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where assemblies have passed resolutions related to new provinces.
Broader Provincial Restructuring
Sources said the military establishment is pushing for movement on creating new provinces, without limiting the effort to those two regions.
Sindh and Balochistan
Gradual, Regionally Limited Approach
Zardari is reportedly wary of dividing Sindh because it could provoke opposition and hurt the Pakistan Peoples Party, and he is cautious about Balochistan because of its security situation.
Broader Provincial Restructuring
The reported restructuring proposal could eventually affect Pakistan’s broader provincial map, although the article does not specify a final plan for either province.
Implementation method
Gradual, Regionally Limited Approach
Zardari reportedly supports a gradual process beginning with local governments and administrative units before formal constitutional changes.
Broader Provincial Restructuring
The military establishment is reported to favor faster progress on new provinces, which could dilute the political influence of the Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz).
Key facts
- Meeting duration
- Roughly 90 minutes
- Reported participants
- Asif Ali Zardari and Mohsin Naqvi
- Reported military message
- Sources said Naqvi carried a message from Field Marshal Asim Munir
- Proposed starting points
- Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where provincial assemblies have passed resolutions concerning new provinces
- Sensitive regions
- Zardari reportedly opposed immediately creating provinces in Sindh and Balochistan
- Possible first step
- Local governments and new administrative units before constitutional changes
- Potential constitutional issues
- The proposal could involve changes to Articles 140 and 160
Sources
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