If Establishment Gets the Numbers, Just Issue the Order: Mansoor Ali Khan on PML-N’s Stance on New Provinces
Sajid Ali | Published September 13, 2026 | 03:45 PM
In a recent vlog, senior anchorperson and analyst Mansoor Ali Khan revealed details of an off-the-record conversation with a senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader. According to Khan, the PML-N leader expressed that the party has no fundamental objection to creating new provinces but will not actively campaign or pressure other parties on the issue.
"The PML-N leader reportedly said that it was an Establishment project and that the Establishment should persuade everyone; once it had secured the required numbers and members, it should simply issue the order and the PML-N would agree."
Khan also addressed criticism from government spokespersons, notably Uzma Bukhari, regarding PTI leader Sohail Afridi’s visit to Karachi. He noted that Afridi traveled on a regular commercial flight, and his boarding passes were made public, contradicting claims of government aircraft usage.
"He [Afridi] had not used a government aircraft. He traveled on a regular domestic commercial flight. Rulers lecture the public on simplicity and austerity while undertaking international trips on government aircraft themselves."
Khan further criticized the government's hypocrisy in promoting austerity while incurring extravagant expenses, suggesting that Uzma Bukhari should share details of her chief minister’s foreign trips on government aircraft if she wishes to lecture others.