LAHORE: Senior Pakistan Muslim League-N leader and former federal minister Khawaja Saad Rafique on Sunday called for a national consensus on the issue of creating new provinces, saying he personally supports smaller provinces but opposes dividing only Punjab while ignoring similar demands elsewhere in the country.

Addressing a ceremony in Lahore, Rafique said the debate over new administrative units should be handled in accordance with the Constitution and without deepening existing political and provincial divisions.

“We do not accept the attitude of first targeting Punjab and then deciding about others later,” he said, apparently in a reference to recent PPP leadership statements that the creation of new smaller provinces should start from Punjab.

“All provinces should be treated equally if the country moves towards creating smaller federating units,” said Rafique.

Referring to the constitutional mechanism for establishing new provinces, he said provincial assemblies should not be undermined or abolished, warning that Pakistan already faces enough internal fissures.

Rafique also stressed the need for constitutional protection for local governments across Pakistan, saying empowered local bodies could resolve many public issues at the grassroots level.

“Local government institutions must be constitutionally protected and the process of repeatedly dissolving them should end,” he said, adding that strengthening municipal systems would reduce public grievances and improve governance.

The PML-N leader urged political parties to move towards reconciliation instead of confrontation, saying Pakistan’s political temperature must be lowered amid mounting security and economic challenges.

Calling for a dialogue among constitutional political forces, he said those who believe in the constitution should engage with each other, but there could be no negotiations with militants involved in violence and terrorism.

Referring to the latest security situation, Rafique said Pakistan continued to face terrorism, mentioning a train attack earlier in the day and ongoing conflict with the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“Every day we are carrying coffins. Political parties must unite on national issues,” he said, proposing a fresh charter of democracy and charter of economy among political stakeholders.

He also urged dialogue between major political parties, including the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, the Pakistan Muslim League-N and the Pakistan Peoples Party, saying political isolation was not a solution.

He also criticised what he described as past undemocratic interventions, referring to the overthrow of governments and the “dark period” following military rule.

Touching on regional tensions and the Middle East situation, Rafique claimed there had been efforts to pit Iranians and Arabs against each other so that Zionist forces could benefit from the conflict, but said Pakistan had played a role in engaging both sides diplomatically.

He praised Iran’s resilience, saying the Iranian nation had shown unity and determination in the face of adversity.

The former minister warned that if the Iranian government had collapsed, “a new Israel would have emerged between Iran and Pakistan,” describing regional stability as vital for Pakistan’s security interests.

He said Pakistan could economically benefit if international sanctions on Iran were lifted, while praising the Saudi leadership for showing restraint and patience during tensions in the region.

Published in Dawn, May 25th, 2026