Naqvi doubles down on demand for new provinces

Naqvi doubles down on demand for new provinces.

Key points

• Zulqernain TahirImran Ayub Published September 6, 2026 Updated September 6, 2026 07: 35am.
• Separately, Sindh Local Administration Minister Nasir Hussain Shah and former Senate chairman Raza Rabbani cautioned against any move that could affect the province's unity, autonomy or constitutional status.
• The PPP Sindh session additionally decided to hold divisional-level 'Sindh Unity' seminars and rallies at tehsil headquarters on September 12 under the slogan 'Sindh is the motherland'.
• The Istehkam-I-Pakistan Party, led by Aleem Khan, welcomed a statement by PML-N planning minister Ahsan Iqbal regarding creating new provinces.
• Imran Ayub is a Karachi-based reporter for Dawn with over 25 years of experience in the field.

Zulqernain TahirImran Ayub Published September 6, 2026 Updated September 6, 2026 07: 35am. Join our Whatsapp Channel. Add Dawn as a trusted source.

Interior minister notes new units have to be created as population can't be managed through existing structure Khawaja Asif states devolution of power 'inevitable', accuses major ally of 'contradictory stance' PPP opposes division of Sindh; Rabbani notes creating new provinces not a federal matter PTI asks why PM largely absent from debate.

LAHORE/KARACHI: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday renewed his call for a "reset" of Pakistan's governance system, insisting that the country needed to restructure its administrative framework to address decades-old failures in public service delivery and declared that new administrative units had to be created at any cost.

"New administrative units will eventually have to be created as Pakistan's growing population and changing needs can no longer be effectively managed through the existing administrative structure, " remarked the minister. This person is considered close to the powers that be.

Addressing a National Policy Dialogue on 'Devolution of Powers and Good Governance in Pakistan' at the University of Management and Technology, Mr Naqvi remarked the proposed "reset" did not mean a change of administration or political party but a comprehensive review and restructuring of the administrative system to create it responsive to the needs of citizens.

His earlier remarks regarding "resetting the system" had been widely interpreted as a reference to the incumbent administration. He clarified that his call was not aimed at replacing any particular administration or political party.

After almost eight decades, was still struggling to provide basic services to its citizens, including education, healthcare, clean drinking water and sanitation, mr Naqvi remarked Pakistan. He remarked Pakistan would eventually have to restructure its administrative boundaries.

"New administrative units will have to be created. No one can stop it. Nevertheless, such a major decision cannot be imposed by an individual or a single political party and should instead be produced in accordance with the wishes of the individuals. If the individuals want new administrative units, they should be created, " he stated. He stressed any restructuring of the state and the creation of new administrative units must take place strictly within the constitutional and legal framework and through political consensus.

Drawing an analogy with the expansion of a family, the interior minister stated that while a single house may once have accommodated an entire family, expanding families eventually required extra homes. "Similarly, as the population grows and its needs increase, the administrative system and structure must also change, " he remarked.

Referring to some political parties, Mr Naqvi remarked there appeared to be anxiety among certain quarters over devolving powers to the grassroots level, but maintained that such worries could be addressed through constitutional means. "Powers can be transferred to the lower levels within the framework of the Constitution. No illegal or unconstitutional measures will be permitted, " he remarked. Provincial status for Islamabad.

He additionally called on a debate on granting provincial status to Islamabad, saying residents of the federal capital did not receive a share under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award.

"If new provinces are to be created, Islamabad should also be given the status of a province, " he remarked and called on political and public backing for the proposal. "The opinion of the people is more important than that of politicians on the issue of new administrative units, " he remarked, adding that no such units should be created without public approval. Khawaja Asif slams 'double standards'.

According to Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has, the devolution of power is "inevitable", while additionally accusing the PPP of having a contradictory stance on the matter of new provinces.

"When there is talk of a Saraiki province in Punjab, the PPP supports it or demonstrates a soft corner on this problem. And when there is talk of multiple provinces or administrative units instead of four, talk of 'Sindhudesh' begins, " he remarked in a post on the social media platform X late Friday night. According to Mr Asif, he saw "something else" behind this "dual policy" by the PPP, adding that he would delve into this deeper "when the time comes".

"We are first and foremost Pakistanis. Devolution was decided as a constitutional principle through the 18th Amendment. It was not respected. Time and circumstance demand that it be implemented with integrity, " he remarked.

He remarked that concentration of power had produced the current system obsolete. It needed to be "corrected". "Provinces or administrative units, whatever label you want to apply. You have 36 divisions, employ them, or devise some other administrative-geographical scheme. The devolution of power is inevitable, " he remarked. PPP opposes Sindh's division.

Meanwhile, the PPP stepped up its opposition to the federal government's statements on new provinces and administrative units. The PPP Sindh leadership, at a session chaired by provincial president Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, accused the federal ministers of interfering in the constitutional affairs of the province and cautioned the federal administration against any attempt to undermine Sindh's autonomy or territorial integrity.

For context, the session called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to restrain his ministers from making statements on new provinces and cautioned that continued remarks could lead the PPP to conclude that the federal administration was behind a "conspiracy against Sindh's unity, provincial autonomy and the 18th Amendment". The PPP Sindh session additionally decided to hold divisional-level 'Sindh Unity' seminars and rallies at tehsil headquarters on September 12 under the slogan 'Sindh is the motherland'.

Responding to Mr Naqvi's remarks, Mr Shah remarked he agreed with the need for better governance, an effective administrative system and reforms aimed at facilitating the residents, but stressed that administrative reforms and the reorganisation of provinces were "entirely different matters".

"The question of dividing Sindh is not merely an administrative proposal; it is linked with the sentiments, history and collective will of the people of Sindh, " he remarked.

Former Senate chairman Mian Raza Rabbani additionally criticised statements by federal ministers regarding new provinces and administrative units, saying such remarks without a cabinet or party decision were condemnable. "It seems they are being more loyal than the King, " he remarked. Senator Rabbani remarked the question of creating more provinces was not a federal matter but one that had to be decided by the residents of the provinces in accordance with the Constitution. PTI questions PM's silence.

In a separate statement, the PTI questioned Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's silence on such an significant problem. It carried far-reaching constitutional and political consequences. While the interior minister had been dictating the federal government's position on the matter for the past few months, the spokesperson asked why the PM had remained largely absent from a debate concerning the future administrative and political structure of the federation.

Meanwhile, the Istehkam-I-Pakistan Party, led by Aleem Khan, welcomed a statement by PML-N planning minister Ahsan Iqbal regarding creating new provinces. In a message posted on X, Abdul Aleem Khan appreciated Ahsan Iqbal's stance and remarked it was reassuring that political leaders at the national level were adopting a positive approach towards the creation of new provinces. Ikram Junaidi in Islamabad contributed to this report. Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2026.

Zulqernain Tahir is a political correspondent for Dawn with over 20 years of experience, at present covering political and governance matters with a focus on uncovering financial scams. He can be discovered on X at @zulqerr.

Imran Ayub is a Karachi-based reporter for Dawn with over 25 years of experience in the field. He reports on political parties, crime, telecom, and local administration systems. He can be discovered on X at @MixPatti.

Taken together, the developments around naqvi doubles down on demand for new provinces point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.