The longstanding debate over new provinces in Pakistan resurfaced on Tuesday as MNA Riaz Hussain Fatyana introduced the Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2025, in the National Assembly, proposing the creation of a new province named West Punjab.
The bill cites the growing population and administrative challenges in Punjab as the primary reasons for the proposed division. Under the plan, Faisalabad Division and Sahiwal Division would form the new province, which boasts major industrial hubs, a leading agricultural university, and Punjab’s second-largest forest.
According to the draft amendment, the West Punjab Assembly would comprise 58 seats, 46 general, 10 reserved for women, and 2 for non-Muslims. The province would also have its high court headquartered in Faisalabad and five seats in the Senate.
The proposal includes amendments to articles 1, 51, 59, 106, 154, 175A, 198, and 218 of the Constitution, affecting the distribution of seats in the National and provincial assemblies. In the new arrangement, Punjab would have 114 general and 24 women’s seats (total 138), while West Punjab would receive 27 general and 8 women’s seats in the National Assembly.
The bill mandates the Council of Common Interests (CCI) to finalise, within three months, the allocation of resources, assets, liabilities, and employees between Punjab and West Punjab.
Fatyana, who previously pushed for the creation of Southern Punjab, Bahawalpur, and Hazara provinces in 2019, said the new proposal has been referred to the relevant standing committee for further discussion. He argued that the new province would enhance governance efficiency and address the needs of the region’s growing population.
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