President Zardari meets PM Shehbaz as debate over new provinces continues

Leaders discuss country's overall political, economic, security situation, PMO says

LAHORE:

President Asif Ali Zardari met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at his Model Town residence on Saturday, amid renewed political debate over the creation of new provinces.

New life in the debate followed Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi's proposal for a referendum on the issue, a proposal that has also found support among some Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) leaders.

Both Zardari and his sister, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Women's Wing President Faryal Talpur, are in Lahore primarily to attend a family wedding, with Talpur already in the city.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office, the two leaders held detailed discussions on the country's overall political, economic and security situation.

صدر مملکت آصف علی زرداری کی لاہور میں ماڈل ٹاون میں وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف کی رہائش گاہ آمد، وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف نے صدر مملکت آصف علی زرداری کا پُرتپاک استقبال کیا۔

ملاقات میں ملک کی مجموعی سیاسی، معاشی اور سیکیورٹی صورتحال پر تفصیلی گفتگو ہوئی. وزیراعظم نے صدر پاکستان کو… pic.twitter.com/ypUHPen3ZF

— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) November 14, 2026

The prime minister also briefed the president on his recent visit to Turkiye and his participation in the 31st Conference of the Parties.

The two leaders discussed cooperation between coalition partners, continuity of consultations and progress on public welfare initiatives. They reaffirmed their commitment to working together to strengthen economic stability and accelerate the country's development process.

National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, former prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Prime Minister's Adviser Rana Sanaullah and MNA Hamza Shehbaz were also present at the meeting.

Read: New provinces not anyone's wish but Pakistan's need: Mustafa Kamal

The proposal for a referendum has found support within sections of the PML-N, with Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan recently raising the constitutional question of whether elected representatives could override the people's verdict in a referendum.

The debate has also drawn attention to the PPP's position, particularly its opposition to any move to divide Sindh.

Zardari's recent meeting with Naqvi in Nawabshah had also attracted attention in the context of the discussion on new provinces, although the President's House said the meeting had focused on national security and the regional situation.