Debate on Creation of New Provinces Should Be Held in National Assembly: Bilawal Bhutto Zardari

LONDON: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that sensitive issues such as the creation of new provinces and the country’s administrative system should be debated in the National Assembly.

Speaking to media representatives in London, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said decisions on such important national matters should not be made by business forums or a handful of businessmen, but should be discussed and decided through Parliament.

Addressing Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, he said that Naqvi had every right to express his opinion but rarely attended Parliament. He said the interior minister should present his views in the National Assembly rather than at business forums or informal platforms and take part in an open debate on the issue of creating new provinces.

Bilawal said all political parties should play an effective role in Parliament on important national issues. He added that if the current administrative system was not functioning effectively, Parliament should openly and thoroughly discuss the reasons behind its shortcomings and explore possible solutions.

Commenting on the political situation in Azad Kashmir, the PPP chairman once again expressed concerns over the recent elections there. He called for the formation of a formal parliamentary committee to ensure that future elections are free, fair and transparent.

He said electoral reforms were necessary to safeguard the true representation of the people’s vote.