Have Bahawalpur Residents Chosen Their Potential Chief Minister? Four Key Names Emerge

BAHAWALPUR: The ongoing debate over the creation of new administrative units in Pakistan has once again raised hopes among the people of Bahawalpur for the restoration of the city’s provincial status.

Residents of Bahawalpur say that if new administrative units are created, the historical provincial status of Bahawalpur should also be restored, a longstanding demand of the people of the region.

Discussions have also begun among public and political circles in Bahawalpur regarding the possible leadership of a new province. Four names have emerged as potential choices for chief minister: Makhdoom Ahmad Mahmood, Tariq Bashir Cheema, Prince Bahawal Abbasi and Riaz Hussain Pirzada.

Public circles believe that granting provincial status to Bahawalpur could help resolve administrative issues at the local level and improve facilities for residents in areas including development, employment, education and healthcare.

Demand for Restoration of Bahawalpur Province

Residents say the demand is not merely political but is also linked to the region’s historical, administrative and public identity.

Bahawalpur has a unique history as a former princely state, and its residents have long demanded the restoration of its provincial status.

The issue has also remained under political discussion in recent months. Former federal minister Muhammad Ali Durrani claimed in August 2026 that a draft constitutional amendment for the restoration of Bahawalpur province had been prepared and would be presented in Parliament.

Four Names Under Discussion

Makhdoom Ahmad Mahmood is among the personalities considered suitable by some public circles because of his experience in southern Punjab politics and administrative affairs.

Tariq Bashir Cheema is also a prominent political figure from Bahawalpur. According to the current National Assembly record, he is an MNA from Bahawalpur and has remained politically active in the region for a long time.

The name of Prince Bahawal Abbasi has also been suggested by some members of the public. His supporters believe that, given Bahawalpur’s historical identity and the background of the Abbasi family, his representation could be significant.

Similarly, Riaz Hussain Pirzada is being considered by some as a potential candidate for chief minister. He is an MNA from Bahawalpur and has extensive political experience in the region.

Political Activity Continues

Local leaders of various political parties in Bahawalpur also remain active on administrative and public issues.

Earlier this year, several prominent political figures from the region, including Riaz Hussain Pirzada and Tariq Bashir Cheema, were included in the District Coordination Committee of Bahawalpur.

However, political parties do not have a completely unified position on the question of restoring Bahawalpur’s provincial status. In recent days, some political leaders have expressed views on different administrative formulas, including the restoration of Bahawalpur province and the possible creation of a wider southern Punjab province.

Final Decision Will Follow Constitutional Process

The four names suggested by Bahawalpur residents for chief minister currently remain part of public opinion and political discussion. No individual has been formally nominated as chief minister of a new province.

If Bahawalpur is granted provincial status in the future after completion of the constitutional and legal process, a new provincial assembly would be formed and the chief minister would be elected according to the constitutional procedure.

Bahawalpur residents say that if the purpose of creating new administrative units is to provide better governance and public services, the longstanding demand for Bahawalpur province should also be seriously considered, while taking the region’s historical and administrative identity into account.