Khawaja Asif Accuses PPP of Double Standards on New Provinces

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has accused the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) of having a “double standard” on the issue of new provinces.

In a post on X, Asif said the PPP supports or shows a “soft corner” for the demand for a Saraiki province in Punjab. However, he said that whenever there is discussion about creating more provinces or administrative units, the PPP raises the issue of Sindhudesh.

“But when there is talk of multiple provinces or administrative units instead of four, the talk of Sindhudesh begins,” he said.

Asif said he believed there was “something else” behind the PPP’s position and added that he would explain it “at some point”. He also stressed that “we are Pakistanis, first and last”.

The defence minister also called for the proper implementation of devolution under the 18th Constitutional Amendment. He said that although the principle of devolution had been established in the Constitution, it had not been properly implemented.

According to Asif, too much power remains concentrated at higher levels of government. He said powers should be transferred to lower levels so democracy could become stronger at the grassroots and people could benefit directly.

Asif suggested that Pakistan could use its existing 36 divisions as the basis for a new administrative system or create another geographical structure. He said the “inevitable” devolution of power could no longer be avoided.

His comments come as debate over new provinces and administrative reforms has gained momentum in Pakistan.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had earlier said that the country’s existing governance system had “collapsed” and was unable to deal with current challenges. He called for major reforms and suggested creating new administrative units, whether they were called provinces or something else.

Naqvi also supported transferring more powers to lower administrative levels and dividing provinces on administrative grounds to improve governance and development.

The PPP opposed the proposal and said the debate over new administrative units should not be taken further. The party also said that no concrete proposal had been presented to it.

Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal has also called for a national debate on Pakistan’s administrative structure. He proposed creating 12 to 15 provinces and suggested forming a committee on administrative reforms.

Iqbal said the creation of new provinces would require political consensus. He also argued that Pakistan’s four provinces have become too centralised, with many powers still concentrated in provincial capitals despite the 18th Amendment.

He proposed around 160 empowered district governments across the country. According to him, it is difficult to effectively manage large provinces from cities such as Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta.

Iqbal warned that demands for new provinces could increase if powers are not properly transferred to districts and local governments.

The debate has now focused on two major questions: whether Pakistan should create new provinces or whether more powers should be given to districts and local governments.

Asif’s latest comments have added a political dimension to the debate, particularly by questioning the PPP’s position. He also stressed that Pakistan’s administrative system ultimately needs greater devolution of power.