ISLAMABAD — Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has signalled that ongoing consultations over Pakistan’s provincial structure could yield a substantive political arrangement within the next six weeks, ahead of the New Year.
Speaking during a Sunday television interview, Asif expressed confidence that an outline of the proposed framework would take shape before 2026 concludes. He stressed that political leadership from all four provinces must be included in the dialogue, regardless of whether individual parties currently hold seats in parliament.
Describing recent consultations as constructive, the defence minister indicated that a broad settlement could also create room for incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan to re-enter mainstream political life once the current phase concludes.
Asif compared the prospective opening to the political space the PML-N received during the tenure extension of former army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa. His comments come amid renewed debate over creating new provinces, after Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal of the MQM-P described December as a decisive month for a proposed referendum.