LAHORE, Nov. 12 (Lord Media): Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has proposed holding a referendum to determine public opinion on the creation of new administrative units or provinces in Pakistan, describing it as a way to resolve the ongoing political debate.

Speaking to the media at the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in Lahore on Thursday, Naqvi said political parties were entitled to hold differing views but should respect the public’s right to decide the matter.

“My only recommendation is that if we were to conclude this debate, then we should just take the people’s opinion,” he said. Naqvi said he would support the outcome regardless of whether voters favored or opposed the creation of new administrative units.

He said political parties had different positions on the proposal, noting that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had its own stance while some other parties had yet to state their positions officially.

The minister also called on political parties to present any alternative proposal they considered a better solution and allow the public to express its preference.

Referring to the ruling coalition, Naqvi said no decision would be taken against the wishes of its partners and that any move would require consensus among them.

Naqvi reiterated that public opinion should be the basis for resolving the debate, recalling his earlier position that new administrative units should only be established with public consent.

Responding to a separate question about PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s recent call for a political reset and unity among political parties, Naqvi said the two were “nearly on the same page”. LORD