Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari is cutting short his London trip and returning home earlier than planned, as he moves to address a political debate over the creation of new provinces and administrative units, along with the current political situation. He is expected back in Pakistan on Sept. 8, according to Geo News Online.
A reliable source within the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) said the president had planned to stay in London for another three to four days. But fresh political controversy erupted after the country’s planning minister, Ahsan Iqbal, proposed dividing Pakistan into 12 to 15 provinces.
The PPP, a key ally of the ruling PML-N, strongly opposes splitting Sindh province, saying no new province can be created without a constitutional process, political consensus and public support. That is why Zardari has decided to return home hastily. President Zardari arrived in London on Sept. 1 after a five-day private visit to Austria.
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