NAQVI VOWS TO PURSUE NEW PROVINCES, SAYS DECISION MUST REST WITH PEOPLE In partnership with
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Sunday, 6 September, 2026 | 23 Rabiul Awwal, 1448
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INTERIOR MINISTER CALLS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE RESTRUCTURING TO IMPROVE GOVERNANCE
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVII No 162 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition
NAQVI SUPPORTS ISLAMABAD PROVINCE, STRESSES CONSTITUTIONAL PROCESS
Kh Asif accuses PPP of 'double standards' on new provinces ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
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LAHORE MIAN ABRAR
NTERIOR Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday reaffirmed his support for the creation of new provinces and administrative units, saying he would continue advocating the idea regardless of whether he remained in office. Addressing the National Policy Dialogue held here, Naqvi said the creation of new administrative units should be decided by the people rather than governments, political parties or individuals in positions of authority. “Whether I remain in office or not, I will not back down from this,” he said, stressing that the will of the people was more important than the will of those holding office. Naqvi urged political leaders and the public not to become emotional over the issue, saying the cre-
ation of new provinces was neither an immediate nor a hurried process. “This is not something that is going to happen tomorrow or the day after,” he said. The minister argued that Pakistan’s growing population and governance challenges required a rethink of the existing administrative structure. He questioned whether provinces had cities comparable in administrative and economic significance to Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta. “If new administrative units are necessary for the betterment of the people, and the people also want them, then there should be no obstacle to their creation,” he said. Naqvi emphasised that any restructuring would have to be carried out within the constitutional framework and should not be imposed by a government or political party.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has accused the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) of adopting a “twofaced policy” on the creation of new provinces and administrative units, saying he believed there was “something more” behind its stance that he would explain “when the time comes”. In a post on X on Saturday night, the minister said the PPP appeared supportive of a separate Saraiki province in Punjab but adopted a different position when the debate shifted towards creating multiple provinces or administrative units. “When the matter of a Saraiki province in Punjab arises, the PPP supports it or shows a soft corner on this issue. And when the talk turns from four to multiple provinces or administrative units, the talk for Sindhudesh begins,” he said.
“A single person, a government or a political party should not dictate to the people on this issue. We must let the people choose for themselves,” he said. He proposed that the public should first be informed about the
“I see something more behind this two-faced policy of the PPP. I will explain it when the time comes,” he added. Mr Asif said the debate over administrative restructuring should not undermine national unity, stressing that “we are, first and last, Pakistanis”. He maintained that devolution of power was already a constitutional principle under the 18th Amendment but had not been implemented in its true spirit. “Devolution is a constitutional principle settled through the 18th Amendment, which has not been respected,” he said, calling for its implementation “with honesty” in view of prevailing circumstances. The defence minister argued that democracy could deliver meaningful benefits only when power was devolved to the grassroots level.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 03 potential benefits and drawbacks of creating new provinces and administrative units before being allowed to decide the matter. Clarifying his earlier call for a “reset”, Naqvi said he was not advocating the dismantling of the admin-
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NFC CONCERNS SHOULD NOT BLOCK DEBATE ON NEW PROVINCES, MINISTER SAYS
Kamal renews call for new provinces KARACHI
STAFF REPORT
Health Minister Mustafa Kamal on Saturday renewed the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan’s (MQM-P) demand for the creation of new provinces, while criticising the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) over what he described as the lack of basic facilities across Sindh. Speaking to the media after inaugurating Pakistan’s first International Travellers Vaccination Centre at the Federal Government Dispensary at Karachi airport, Mr Kamal said the MQM-P had not withdrawn its demand for additional provinces. “Absolutely, MQM-P has not backed away from the demand for provinces. Whenever there is talk of provinces, we have said we will support it,” he said. Mr Kamal compared the administrative structures of major cities, noting that Karachi had been divided into seven districts while Lahore and Peshawar each had one district. He alleged that the PPP had created districts along
istrative system but seeking to correct a system that, in his view, had failed to deliver adequately over the past 79 years. He said Pakistan was now the world’s fifth-most populous country, yet meaningful devolution of power
ethnic lines. “Did Karachi break apart? No,” he said, questioning what he described as a selective approach towards the issue of administrative restructuring. “Sweet things are welcomed, while bitter things are rejected,” he remarked. He said there was no reason why Sindh could not be divided into additional administrative units. “Make Sindh 1, Sindh 2 and Sindh 3 — what is the problem with that?” he asked. Criticising the PPP’s prolonged rule in Sindh, Mr Kamal said the party had been in government for 18 years but had failed to provide basic public services. “There are no basic facilities; they cannot even manage a sewer,” he said, adding that authorities had failed to protect children from dog bites and accidents involving open sewers. He further claimed that residents in parts of Sindh were being forced to consume contaminated water despite the spread of multiple diseases.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 03 remained limited. While new districts and tehsils were routinely created, he questioned why greater authority was not transferred to the grassroots level.
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