Lahore: Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah has said that Parliament will decide whether new provinces should be created, adding that the government cannot independently decide to hold a referendum on the matter. Addressing a press conference, the senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader said the Punjab government intends to hold local government elections. He maintained that Parliament has the authority to make decisions regarding the province, while discussions on the creation of new provinces are already underway. Rana Sanaullah said a meeting with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was held at Governor House today, where differences between the PPP and PML-N over the Azad Kashmir elections were also discussed. He said the debate over new provinces had not started at the appropriate forum and should have begun in Parliament. Once the matter is formally brought before Parliament, it will move in a better direction. He added that PML-N would give its position after discussion at the appropriate forum, while the Prime Minister would make the final decision. He further stated that if the people want new provinces, no one can prevent their creation. All political parties would accept a decision made by Parliament, but the government cannot decide on a referendum on its own. Commenting on Jamaat-e-Islami, Rana Sanaullah said it is a political party and its sit-ins and rallies are held in accordance with the Constitution and law. He said the government listened carefully to the party's demands during negotiations, while the Prime Minister held detailed discussions on electricity, load-shedding, and reducing petroleum prices. Rana Sanaullah urged Jamaat-e-Islami leaders to avoid putting themselves through unnecessary hardship. He said one of the party's candidates had announced plans to come to Islamabad and bring down the government, warning that such an objective could create a risk of violence. He reiterated that declaring in advance whether new provinces will or will not be created would amount to dictating terms to Parliament. After considering all opinions, the final decision will be made by Parliament.