New provinces needed to improve governance: speakers

Speakers at a seminar on the creation of new provinces in Pakistan have said that establishing new administrative units could directly benefit the public.

The seminar was organised by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) in Islamabad. MQM leader Mustafa Kamal, PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira and PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja addressed the gathering.

The speakers described the creation of new provinces as necessary to address public problems. They also stressed the need for a strong and empowered local government system.

The participants said Pakistan needs new administrative units to improve governance and ensure that resources are distributed at the grassroots level.

Mustafa Kamal said the existing system had failed to ensure effective accountability of governments. He added that even if new provinces were created, a strong local government system would remain necessary.

PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira suggested that the debate over creating new provinces should take place within the constitutional framework. He also called for strengthening the local government system.

PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said that even after the creation of new provinces, some provinces would still have populations running into millions.

The speakers agreed that administrative reforms were necessary to improve governance and ensure a more effective distribution of resources among the people.