ISLAMABAD: Informed sources have told The News that influential circles are in favor of restructuring Pakistan’s current administrative structure, under which more provinces or administrative units can be established, but the issue has not yet been formally discussed in the federal cabinet.
The sources said that although the discussion on the establishment of new federal units has gained momentum in the last few weeks, no formal proposal has been presented to the cabinet for consideration or approval yet.
This development comes at a time when demands for a fundamental restructuring of the country’s administrative system are emerging more clearly from top federal ministers.
Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal recently proposed the creation of 12 to 15 new provinces. He argues that Pakistan’s four existing provinces have become overly centralized and the current administrative structure is no longer adequate to meet the needs of a country with a population of about 260 million.
Ahsan Iqbal has also suggested that in principle each of the four provinces could be divided into three smaller provinces. However, he has stressed that political consensus would be necessary for any such administrative restructuring.
He has suggested that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, through the Law Minister, form a committee to review administrative reforms and initiate a national and political debate on the issue. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who had initiated the recent debate by calling for a review of the country’s governance system, also continues to support the creation of new administrative units or provinces.
Mohsin Naqvi argues that fundamental changes are needed in Pakistan’s current governance system to improve service delivery, accountability and access to justice for the people. His proposal later gained support from influential circles, while the army’s public relations department also called for a discussion on an “administrative reset” in view of the country’s growing population and changing needs.
However, the issue is also facing political resistance, especially in Sindh. The Sindh Assembly has opposed the creation of new provinces or administrative units in the province, while PPP leaders have also strongly resisted any attempt that could result in the division of Sindh.
On the other hand, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has also joined the discussion. He says that the concept of devolution of powers to the lower levels, which was presented under the 18th Amendment, has not been implemented according to its true spirit. He has suggested that the current 36 divisions of Pakistan could potentially form the basis of a new administrative system, although he clarified that the exact name or structure of this system can be decided through mutual consultations.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the increasing public statements by top government ministers should not be taken as evidence that the government has already taken a final decision. “There is definitely a feeling in influential circles that the current administrative structure needs to be reviewed, but the issue has not yet been formally discussed in the federal cabinet,” said one source. Another source said that at present, the discussion is at the stage of building political and institutional consensus rather than deciding on the number of new provinces or their boundaries.
The source said that several options are being considered informally, including the creation of new provinces, while an alternative is to give more powers to district-level governments without changing the constitutional status of the existing provinces.
Ahsan Iqbal has previously proposed the option of establishing about 160 empowered district governments instead of creating a large number of new provinces. They say Pakistan needs a system of governance that brings administrative powers closer to the citizens. The issue is also highly sensitive because the creation of new provinces will require constitutional amendments and political consensus, which will require the involvement of the relevant provincial assemblies and parliament.
The debate is therefore politically important but institutionally at an early stage. Although top government ministers continue to openly support the restructuring of the administrative structure, there has been no formal cabinet decision on the creation of new provinces or administrative units.
Sources said that progress towards a formal proposal would ultimately require consultations between government allies and other political parties, after which the matter could be presented to the cabinet and then to parliament.