Islamabad Having Its Own Assembly or Provincial Government Would Be a Positive Step, Says Khawaja Asif

Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has said that establishing a separate assembly or provincial government for Islamabad would be a positive development. He said it was a good step that the proposal was being implemented in Islamabad in the first phase, noting that similar administrative arrangements exist in many capitals around the world.

Khawaja Asif said New Delhi has a completely separate government and argued that if such a system is introduced in Islamabad, establishing similar administrative units in other parts of the country would become easier. He said provinces should not adopt a rigid position on the issue, as the initiative was not aimed against any province but could instead strengthen the federation.

The defense minister said the term “new administrative units” would be more appropriate than “new provinces.” He added that he was not aware of any progress by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz or the prime minister regarding the creation of new provinces. According to him, transferring powers to the grassroots level and resolving people’s problems locally is a fundamental right of the public.