New Provinces not a priority amid internal and external challenges: Mian Javed Latif

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Central Vice President and former Federal Minister Mian Javed Latif has said

SHEIKHUPURA:  Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Central Vice President and former Federal Minister Mian Javed Latif has said that Pakistan is currently facing serious challenges on both internal and external fronts, and opening a new debate over the creation of provinces under these circumstances would not be a wise decision.

“We do not doubt anyone’s intentions; everyone is sincere about the country. However, it is essential to determine our national priorities,” he said.

Talking to Pakistan Observer at his residence, Mian House, Sheikhupura, Mian Javed Latif said there was nothing wrong with creating administrative units, as this could improve governance and save people from travelling long distances, such as from Multan to Lahore or from Larkana to Karachi, to get their issues resolved. However, the real priority should be finding solutions to the problems faced by the public.

He said that if a referendum or survey was to be conducted, both sides of the issue should be presented before the people. They should be asked whether they wanted new provinces or employment opportunities, food for their families, justice, freedom from debt and a Pakistan free from terrorism.

“If the creation of new provinces can reduce poverty by 45 per cent, bring down inflation and help repay the country’s debts, then let us create them today rather than tomorrow,” he remarked.

Referring to the unanimous Constitution of 1973, he said that 27 amendments had been made to it so far, but the question remained whether these amendments had improved the lives of ordinary citizens. “If not, how can we expect new provinces to bring about such a change?” he asked.

He also questioned who would benefit and who would suffer from the proposed changes. He said constitutional amendments were often made to serve the interests of the 10 per cent privileged elite, whereas the remaining 90 per cent of the population wanted food security, dams, strong institutions and a system in which every institution operated within its constitutional limits.

Mian Javed Latif said that those leading the campaign for new provinces largely belonged to a group whose chances of becoming chief ministers in the existing provinces were limited. He claimed that lobbying for the proposed changes had already begun. Referring to the political experiences of 2018 and 2024, he said the nation had gained little from those experiments.

He said that the government was currently in a strong position and all relevant stakeholders were on the same page. This consensus should be utilised to construct dams, strengthen institutions and improve the national economy.

“If everyone can come together for constitutional amendments, why can they not unite for the construction of small and large dams?” he asked, adding that a referendum on the construction of dams would receive overwhelming public support.

He recalled that a controversy had once erupted over a map of Karachi, whereas discussions were now taking place about separating it. He cautioned that decisions made under pressure and in an atmosphere of political uncertainty could not prove sustainable in the long run.

He emphasised that if the real objective was to transfer powers and development to the grassroots level, the country should first introduce an effective local government system, similar to those in Britain and Kerala.

He said the government should establish a strong grassroots governance structure, test its effectiveness and strengthen the economy before considering the creation of new administrative units.

“New provinces may also be created, but at the right time. First lay the foundation, and then construct the building,” Mian Javed Latif concluded.