Whatever emerges on new provinces will be implemented, says defence minister
Khawaja Asif says the term “administrative unit” would be more appropriate and acceptable
ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that whatever decision or situation emerges regarding the creation of new provinces will be implemented, stressing that no political party’s interests will be protected in the process.
Speaking to journalists at Parliament House, Khawaja Asif said the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had taken a position on the issue of new provinces and had the right to express its opinion. However, he said any decision taken in the broader public interest would have to be followed.
The defence minister stressed that the public interest should remain the top priority and that the country needed a system capable of providing facilities and services to people at the grassroots level.
He said it would be better if the process of creating new provinces or administrative units began with Islamabad. According to Khawaja Asif, establishing an autonomous assembly or government in the federal capital could provide a model for other parts of the country.
He pointed out that several countries, including India, have separate governments or administrative structures for their capitals. He said that if a new administrative unit was created in the federal capital, it could make it easier for other provinces to follow a similar model.
Khawaja Asif said there should be no hesitation over the creation of new provinces or administrative units. Referring to Afghanistan, he noted that the country had increased the number of its provinces to 34 despite facing difficult circumstances.
The defence minister argued that creating new administrative units could ultimately strengthen the federation by bringing governance closer to the people and improving the delivery of public services.
However, he suggested that the terminology used in the debate could also play an important role. “There is an issue with the word province; the term administrative unit would be better and more acceptable,” he said.
His remarks come amid an intensifying debate in Pakistan over the possible creation of new provinces and administrative units. The discussion has gained further momentum following proposals for a separate administrative structure for Islamabad.
The federal government has been considering reforms aimed at improving governance and strengthening local-level administration. Supporters of the idea argue that smaller administrative units could make government services more accessible, while critics have raised concerns about political, constitutional and administrative implications.
Khawaja Asif’s statement indicates that the government is willing to consider changes to the existing administrative structure based on what emerges from the ongoing discussions, with public interest presented as the central consideration.
