Khawaja Asif calls devolution inevitable amid new provinces debate

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said the devolution of power is inevitable. He also questioned the PPP’s position on the creation of new provinces and administrative units.

In a post on X, Asif accused the PPP of adopting different positions on the issue. He said the party supports the idea of a separate Saraiki province when the discussion concerns Punjab, but raises the issue of “Sindhudesh” when there is talk of creating more provinces or administrative units.

Asif said he saw “something else” behind what he described as the PPP’s “dual policy”. He added that he would discuss the matter in greater detail “when the time comes”.

The defence minister stressed that Pakistanis were “first and foremost” Pakistanis. He said devolution had already been recognised as a constitutional principle under the 18th Amendment but had not been implemented in its true spirit.

Asif argued that the concentration of power had made the existing system outdated and needed to be corrected. He suggested that the country could use its 36 divisions as a basis for administrative restructuring or develop another geographical arrangement.

His remarks come amid a growing political debate over the creation of additional provinces. The issue has gained attention in recent months, with several political figures expressing support for administrative restructuring. However, no formal government proposal has been announced.

Different proposals have been discussed publicly, with some suggesting eight provinces and others advocating a much larger number of administrative units.

The PPP has meanwhile sought clarity from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif over the government’s position. PPP Parliamentarians Secretary General Nayyar Hussain Bokhari said that if the government was serious about creating new provinces, the matter should first be discussed by the federal cabinet.

Bokhari said the government would then need to consult political parties and other stakeholders. He stressed that any move must follow the Constitution and that provincial consent would be necessary for the creation of new federating units.

He also pointed out that a constitutional amendment would require a two-thirds majority in both the National Assembly and Senate. The PPP’s position is therefore significant because the PML-N-led government relies on its support in parliament.

The issue has also sparked opposition to dividing the existing provinces. The Sindh Assembly recently passed a resolution opposing any further division of the country’s four provinces.

Meanwhile, PML-N leader and Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said there were currently no preparations for creating new provinces. He said no bill or resolution had been presented in parliament and stressed that political consultation and consensus would be required before any such proposal could move forward.

Sanaullah also said there was currently no discussion about dividing the existing provinces, indicating that despite the growing debate, no formal decision has been taken by the government.