LAHORE: Endorsing a proposal to hold a referendum on the creation of new provinces in the country, Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan says the will of the masses holds supremacy over the opinion of elected representatives on matters of public importance.
Speaking to the media after inaugurating the Educational Arena Expo here on Friday, he referred to the 1973 Constitution, noting that it clearly vests ultimate power and authority in the people.
Referring to a recent suggestion by the federal interior minister regarding a referendum on new federating units, the speaker remarked that such an exercise should be conducted to gauge public sentiment directly.
“If the people say new provinces should be created, then go ahead and create them; and if they say they should not be formed, then do not,” Mr Khan said.
Responding to the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) stance in Sindh, where the party maintains that it represents the will of the province’s electorate, he added that if the people of Sindh themselves vote in favour of new provinces in a referendum, their verdict should be respected.
Says will of the masses holds supremacy
However, the proposal drew a cautious constitutional perspective from Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah, who maintained that parliament would ultimately have the final say on the creation of new provinces, even if a referendum were to be held.
Speaking to a private television channel, Rana Sana pointed out that the question of who holds the authority to conduct such a referendum remained unresolved, adding that any constitutional process regarding the carving out of new units would have to go through the parliament.
He noted that the matter had not yet been formally taken up by the legislature, and once brought before the house, a policy statement would be issued followed by a parliamentary debate.
During his media talk in Lahore, Speaker Khan also touched upon broader political and governance issues. Commenting on Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, he acknowledged him as a powerful orator but advised that he should speak thoughtfully on sensitive matters such as terrorism, stressing that complex challenges required reasoned dialogue and constructive engagement.
Highlighting the importance of grassroots democracy, the speaker underscored the need to empower local government institutions and ensure the effective devolution of powers and resources through a functional Provincial Finance Commission.
He also lauded the Punjab government’s initiatives in education, healthcare, agriculture, and sanitation, including the Suthra Punjab programme, Maryam Nawaz Health Clinics, and the Kisan Card. He emphasised that public resources and development schemes must continue to be distributed strictly on merit without political discrimination.
Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2026
