Islamabad: Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry announced on Thursday that formal parliamentary debates on the creation of new provinces across Pakistan will be held in October. Clarifying the timeline, the minister noted that no legislative sessions are scheduled for September, making the upcoming National Assembly and Senate sessions in October the primary constitutional forum to deliberate on the country's evolving governance structure.

Addressing speculations regarding the federal capital, Chaudhry clarified that Islamabad is not slated to become a separate province, but is instead transitioning towards a restructured local governance framework. His statements follow reports of a draft proposal submitted to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recommending a 27 member elected assembly and dedicated executive administration for the Islamabad Capital Territory.

The upcoming debate highlights a broader national discourse surrounding administrative devolution. Whilst figures such as Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal have suggested expanding the current four province layout into 12 to 15 smaller units to curb centralisation, coalition allies including the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) remain cautious, advocating for enhanced local government powers within the existing federal map.