ISLAMABAD: Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has suggested the creation of new administrative units in Pakistan, stressing that Karachi and Gwadar should be part of the federation rather than provinces.
His comments came the same day after Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi declared that the existing system had “collapsed” and called for more provinces or administrative divisions to ensure effective governance.
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Speaking in a private television conversation, Khawaja Asif noted that the debate on new administrative units was not new, but had gained urgency in light of Naqvi’s remarks. He argued that in modern democracies, local governments perform crucial functions, yet Pakistan’s system remains fragmented.
“Local governments were revived in the 1980s, and today’s provincial and federal leadership is a continuation of that system,” he said, adding that Karachi’s grassroots governance remains disconnected.
The minister emphasized that transferring resources to the lowest tiers of government would allow better public service delivery. He pointed out that Punjab has yet to hold local government elections, underscoring the weakness of the current framework.
Rejecting the idea of provinces based on ethnicity or language, Asif warned that such moves would open a “Pandora’s box.” Instead, he advocated for administrative units within provinces, citing DG Khan as an example of a region that could be merged with another city.
“The creation of new administrative units will be a good omen for Pakistan. I am not going by personal opinions but by what is practically beneficial for the country,” he remarked, urging reforms that could serve both present and future needs.
Asif further said Pakistan currently operates under a hybrid model, which he described as a “guarantee of change.” He predicted that major decisions would be taken in the next two to three months, including the establishment of new provinces and strengthening of local governments.
“The success of the hybrid system will be measured by whether it delivers a strong local government structure and new administrative units. If achieved within four to five months, it can bring political stability to the country,” he asserted.
Political analysts believe Khawaja Asif’s remarks, following Naqvi’s stark warning of systemic collapse, have reignited debate over whether Pakistan’s political parties will embrace an active local government system or cling to entrenched provincial structures.
