ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has called greater devolution of power in Pakistan “inevitable”, arguing that excessive concentration of authority has rendered the existing administrative system increasingly ineffective.
In a statement late Friday, Asif suggested that Pakistan’s 36 administrative divisions could potentially provide a basis for restructuring governance, although he said other geographical and administrative models could also be considered.
His comments come amid a growing political debate over proposals to create additional provinces or administrative units. No formal government plan has yet been announced, with suggestions circulating in political circles ranging from eight to as many as 30 provinces.
Asif also accused the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) of adopting contradictory positions, saying it had shown support for the idea of a Seraiki province in Punjab while strongly resisting proposals that could result in the division of Sindh.
The defence minister said devolution had already been established as a constitutional principle through the 18th Amendment, but had not been implemented in its true spirit.
The PPP, a key coalition partner of the PML-N government, has insisted that any creation of new provinces must follow constitutional procedures and require the consent of the provinces concerned. Its leadership has also asked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to clarify his position on the emerging debate.
PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah, meanwhile, said no bill or resolution for creating new provinces was currently under preparation and that any such move would require extensive consultation and political consensus.