‘Redrawing country’s provincial boundaries may spark turmoil’

ISLAMABAD: Amid growing demands for the creation of new provinces, former senator Farhatullah Babar issued a stark warning on Thursday, cautioning that efforts to redraw the country’s provincial boundaries under the banner of local government reforms could ignite political turmoil and destabilise the nation.

Speaking at the Pakistan Governance Forum 2026, Babar, a persistent critic of the powers that be, labelled the proposed reforms as a hazardous political manoeuvre with the potential to spark a crisis that could spiral beyond the government’s control.

Babar underscored that empowering local governments as the third tier of governance – an unfulfilled promise embedded in the 18th Amendment – remains a pivotal yet unresolved issue, even 15 years after the amendment’s passage.

He pointed to the entrenched reluctance of both political parties and the bureaucracy to relinquish power, resulting in a stagnant constitutional structure that has failed to set clear timelines for local government elections.

The former senator reiterated his warning against any attempts to redraw provincial boundaries under the guise of decentralisation, cautioning that such actions could deepen political unrest and invoke the historical failures of the parity scheme between East and West Pakistan.

“The slogan of ‘AikKhuda, AikRasool, AikKitaab’ was stretched too far, leading to disastrous consequences when efforts were made to impose a One Unit, one language, and one vote system on the majority of East Pakistan and minority West Pakistan,” he said, emphasising the need to learn from past mistakes.

Babar proposed several key reforms to strengthen local governments, including constitutional protection for their permanence, safeguards against arbitrary dissolution, and fiscal devolution through provincial finance commissions to ensure stable and predictable funding.

He also stated that development funds be allocated directly to local governments, bypassing MPs, MNAs, and senators, stressing that local bodies are best equipped to manage essential infrastructure projects such as roads and sewage systems.

In addition, Babar advocated for administrative devolution, proposing that key officials like chief secretaries and police chiefs – currently accountable to the federal government – be placed under provincial jurisdiction to enhance local accountability.

He also proposed that the right to local governance be enshrined as a fundamental right, similar to the right to education up to the age of 16, making it justiciable and providing citizens with legal recourse if their local governance rights are infringed.

Also addressing the forum, former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani stressed the need for a robust and effective parliament to ensure sustainable governance in the country.

He described parliament as a vital link between the country’s 240 million citizens and government policies, emphasising the importance of legislative oversight in ensuring transparency, accountability, and public legitimacy.

Reflecting on his own tenure as prime minister and speaker of the National Assembly, Gilani called for enhanced capacity-building of senators and staff, the integration of artificial intelligence to improve legislative processes, and more responsive ministries that heed parliamentary recommendations.

Speaker National Assembly AyazSadiq highlighted ongoing reforms within the assembly, such as the transfer of administrative powers to a cross-party finance committee, which has resulted in significant cost savings.

He also proudly noted that the National Assembly is now the world’s first fully solar-powered parliament.

He advocated for proactive legislation on artificial intelligence and digital rights, urging Pakistan to participate in global regulatory discussions to prevent technological disparities.

Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhary commended the government’s efforts to stabilise the economy and enhance the country’s international standing.

He also highlighted the Prime Minister’s Complaint Wing, which has achieved an impressive 90% satisfaction rate in resolving public grievances.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026