Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated on Saturday that he will continue supporting the creation of new provinces and administrative units regardless of whether he remained in office, emphasizing that such decisions must be grounded in the will of the people rather than emotions. Speaking at the National Policy Dialogue in Lahore, Naqvi addressed the ongoing debate surrounding systemic reform and administrative restructuring in Pakistan.
Public Will Versus Political Resistance in New Provinces
The debate over the new province started last month when Naqvi called for the creation of additional administrative units or provinces to overhaul the country’s outdated governance system, a move that sparked a series of remarks thrown back and forth from major political parties in Sindh. According to Naqvi, the public must be told about the “pros and cons” and the matter should then be forwarded to them to decide whether or not they approve the creation of new provinces. “If the people of Pakistan want new administrative units, these should be created. Otherwise not. Why do some people feel threatened by the will of the masses?” he asked during his address in Lahore.
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Corroborating this friction, Dunya News reported that Naqvi emphasized that no individual or political party can prevent the formation of new administrative units. Concurrently, Health Minister Mustafa Kamal remarked at Karachi airport after inaugurating Pakistan’s first International Travellers Vaccination Centre that Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) has not backed away from its demand for new provinces, asserting that the party supports any move toward provinces. On the opposing side, the Sindh Assembly unanimously passed a resolution rejecting any proposal to divide the province or alter its territorial limits, with Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah stating that the province could never be divided.
Did You Know? During his speech, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi pointed out that even Quaid-e-Azam was wary of “provincialism and groupism” and had cautioned the new nation in 1948 that it could lead to the collapse of Pakistan.
Systemic Failures and the Case for a Governance Reset
Clarifying his earlier remarks calling for a “reset”, Naqvi explained that his comments were not directed at any political party or arrangement and never meant breaking the administrative system, but rather course-correcting the system that has failed to deliver in 79 years. He noted that Pakistan is now the fifth most populous country in the world, yet struggles with widespread systemic shortcomings. According to Dunya News, Naqvi highlighted that 25 million children remain out of school, 55 percent of Pakistanis still did not have access to clean drinking water, and 2 million cases were pending in courts.
Naqvi also advocated for making Islamabad a province, pointing out that Islamabad was the only city in Pakistan without a budget and that the Capital Development Authority (CDA) was managing the system by selling land. Furthermore, he criticized the current National Finance Commission (NFC) award policy for incentivizing “an increase in population for a greater share of resources”, asking whether this was not a ticking bomb foretelling impending collapse.
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggered the recent debate over new provinces in Pakistan?
The debate over the new province started last month when Naqvi called for the creation of additional administrative units or provinces to overhaul the country’s outdated governance system, stressing that meaningful structural reforms were essential.
What is the official stance of MQM-P on the creation of new provinces?
According to Health Minister Mustafa Kamal, MQM-P has not backed away from the demand for provinces, stating that whenever there is talk of provinces, the party has said it will support it.
How did the Sindh Assembly respond to proposals for new provinces?
The Sindh Assembly unanimously passed a resolution rejecting any proposal to divide the province or alter its territorial limits, with Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah stating that the province could never be divided.
What steps might federal authorities take next regarding administrative devolution and public consultation?
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