Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has supported the formation of new provinces and administrative units in the country and said that this decision should be according to the will of the people rather than political parties.
Addressing the National Policy Dialogue in Lahore, he said that whether he remains in office or not, he will not back down from the demand for new provinces. According to him, he is the biggest supporter of the establishment of the Islamabad province.
Referring to the administrative and financial problems of Islamabad, Mohsin Naqvi said that it is a city in the country that does not receive a direct provincial budget. According to him, the Capital Development Authority is forced to run the system by selling its lands.
He said that the local government system in the country’s big cities can solve urban problems more effectively. According to him, the mayor understands the daily problems of the common citizen more closely, so devolution of powers to the lower level should also be considered.
The federal minister clarified that the formation of new provinces is not an immediate matter. He said that new administrative units should be formed only when the people want it.
He also stressed avoiding emotions in this discussion. He said that the formation of administrative units is a serious matter, and its decision should be made keeping in mind the public opinion.
Mohsin Naqvi said that the process of forming new provinces should be completed within the ambit of the constitution. Therefore, any administrative change should be carried out through legal and constitutional procedures rather than political slogans.
Clarifying his previous “reset” statement, he said that he was not referring to any political party or a new political arrangement. According to him, he was talking about reform and change in the system that has been in place since 1979.
Talking about education, the federal minister expressed concern over the country’s educational standards. He said that if a fifth-grade child finds it difficult to read even simple sentences, it is a serious weakness in the education system.
Mohsin Naqvi said that he would continue to speak on this issue regardless of his position. According to him, a serious discussion on fundamental changes is necessary for improving the governance and public service system.
The issue of new provinces has been a part of political and administrative debate in Pakistan for many years. However, for the establishment of a new province, a mere political demand is not enough, but constitutional and legal steps also have to be completed. That is why Mohsin Naqvi’s statement is currently being seen as a political and policy stance and not as an immediate decision to establish a new province.
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