Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has suggested that public opinion through a referendum could ultimately determine whether new provinces or administrative units are created, sparking a constitutional debate. The remarks follow strong resistance from the PPP against dividing Sindh and proposals involving changes to provincial autonomy. Constitutional experts say while a referendum could provide democratic backing for province creation, it cannot itself legally establish a new province under current constitutional procedures. Article 239 of the Constitution requires that any change to provincial boundaries must first pass through the relevant provincial assembly with a two-thirds majority before receiving presidential approval. Legal scholars note that Article 48 does allow the prime minister to refer matters of national importance to a referendum if approved by a joint sitting of Parliament, but this general power cannot substitute for the specific constitutional procedures governing provincial boundaries. Some experts argue that rather than pursuing a constitutional amendment for new provinces, the government could strengthen local government systems through existing provisions. A proposed constitutional amendment affecting around two dozen articles is under consideration as part of a broader system restructuring. Political analysts suggest the government may be moving toward seeking public opinion on the matter, though the constitutional path to implementation remains complex and contested.