ISLAMABAD(National Times)- The government is considering holding a referendum to pave the way for the creation of new provinces amid challenges in securing the required parliamentary support for a constitutional amendment.

According to sources, the government’s legal team, including officials from the Ministry of Law, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and the Attorney General’s office, is examining the constitutional and legal aspects of conducting a referendum on the issue.

Sources said the proposal is being considered after the government failed to secure an indication of the required political support for the proposed constitutional amendment to establish new provinces.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif may seek Parliament’s authorisation to hold a referendum, while obtaining approval through a joint sitting of Parliament is also under consideration.

The proposal to take the matter to Parliament for a referendum has also emerged amid the reluctance of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to support the proposed amendment.

According to sources, PTI supports the creation of new provinces in principle but has not indicated its willingness to back the proposed constitutional amendment.

Meanwhile, the government is also considering approaching the court to seek clarity on the constitutional and legal status of holding a referendum on the matter.