New provinces inevitable, I support Islamabad province, Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtun or Baloch identity of anyone not being taken away: Mohsin Naqvi

LAHORE, September 5: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has said that the creation of new provinces or administrative units in Pakistan has become inevitable, stressing that any such decision should be taken through public consultation and political consensus.

Speaking at the National Policy Dialogue, Mohsin Naqvi said he supports granting provincial status to Islamabad and believes that administrative reforms are necessary to improve governance and bring state institutions closer to the people.

He made it clear that the creation of new administrative units was not aimed at taking away anyone’s ethnic, cultural or linguistic identity. “No one’s identity is being taken away. Punjabis will remain Punjabis, Sindhis will remain Sindhis, Pashtuns will remain Pashtuns and Baloch will remain Baloch,” he said.

The interior minister said the debate over new provinces or administrative units should not be viewed as an attempt to undermine any existing province or community. Rather, the objective was to make the administrative system more effective and responsive to the needs of a growing population.

Naqvi said that decisions regarding the creation of new provinces or administrative units could not be imposed by an individual, government or political party. All political parties and relevant stakeholders would have to sit together and develop consensus on the issue.

He stressed that the wishes of the people concerned should be given fundamental importance. If the people of an area wanted a new administrative unit, their demand should be considered, while no decision should be imposed on a population against its will.

Supporting the idea of an Islamabad province, Naqvi said the federal capital also needed an administrative and financial structure that could ensure better delivery of public services and provide citizens with their due rights.

He said Pakistan’s population had grown substantially and the existing administrative structure was facing increasing pressure. Reorganising administrative units, where necessary, could improve governance, facilitate access to public services and accelerate development.

The interior minister maintained that administrative reforms should not be viewed as an effort to weaken the federation. Instead, the purpose should be to strengthen governance, ensure a more equitable distribution of resources and authority, and bring decision-making closer to the people.

Naqvi called for a serious national debate on the issue, saying that political differences should be resolved through consultation and dialogue so that any future changes to the country’s administrative structure could be made through a broad-based political and public consensus.