Zardari, Naqvi did not discuss new provinces during Nawabshah meeting, says President House

The President House on Friday denied media reports that President Asif Ali Zardari and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi discussed matters relating to provinces during their meeting a day earlier.

“The media reports suggesting that matters relating to provinces were discussed during the interior minister’s meeting with the president are baseless,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said the meeting focused on national security and the regional situation, adding that “no discussion relating to provinces took place”.

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The clarification came after reports emerged that the two leaders had discussed the creation of new provinces during their meeting in Nawabshah on Thursday night. No official statement had been issued immediately after the meeting.

Naqvi has drawn political attention in recent months after calling for the creation of new administrative units, arguing that the existing system had “collapsed” and needed a “reset”.