President Zardari shortens London visit amid growing debate over new provinces

• Sources say Zardari set to return to Pakistan on Sept 8.
• Bilawal, Bakhtawar expected to stay another week in London.
• New provinces debate grows after Ahsan Iqbal's proposal.

LONDON: President Asif Ali Zardari will return to Pakistan on September 8 after deciding to end his London visit earlier than planned, Geo News has learnt.

Credible Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) sources said the president had initially planned to remain in London for another three to four days.

However, he decided to return early to deal with the prevailing political situation and the growing debate over the creation of new provinces and administrative units.

The debate intensified after Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal proposed dividing the country into 12 to 15 provinces and called for a national political dialogue on restructuring Pakistan's administrative system.

The PPP, a key ally of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has strongly opposed any move to divide Sindh and maintains that no new province can be created without constitutional procedures, political consensus and public support.

President Zardari arrived in London from Vienna on September 1 after spending five days in Austria on a private visit. He was accompanied by former federal minister Dr Asim Hussain and Senator Saleem Mandviwalla.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari joined their father in London two days later. Sources said both will remain in the British capital and will not travel back with President Zardari. They are expected to return after spending approximately another week in London.

Bilawal arrived from Paris after spending several days in Austria, while Bakhtawar travelled to London with her husband, Mahmood Chaudhry, and their children.

The family's stay in Austria generated reports that President Zardari had travelled there to discuss a possible marriage proposal for Bilawal with a prominent European family.

Bilawal categorically rejected the reports, saying no engagement or marriage had taken place and that he did not know any "Princess Gloria". He said any decision regarding his personal life would be announced by his family.