Naqvi says decision on new provinces must reflect public will

Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has vowed not to back down from his demand for new provinces, saying any decision on the matter must reflect the will of the people.

Addressing the National Policy Dialogue in Lahore on Saturday, Naqvi said whether he remained in office or not, he would not back down from the demand for new administrative units.

He said the current National Finance Commission (NFC) award policy incentivises “an increase in population for a greater share of resources”, asking, “Is this not a ticking bomb foretelling impending collapse? Shouldn’t we alter this approach?”

The debate over creating new provinces in Pakistan gained momentum after Naqvi called for a rethink of the country’s administrative structure, arguing that smaller administrative units could bring governance closer to the people.

The issue has drawn proposals for multiple new provinces, including calls for greater devolution and separate units in parts of Punjab and Sindh, while opponents have warned of political, financial and administrative complications.

The minister clarified on Saturday that his comments were not about any particular political party, but rather about the “system” that had been in place since the country’s independence.

“Do not get emotional about the issue. This is not something that is going to happen tomorrow or the day after,” Naqvi said.

He said provinces do not have cities comparable to Lahore in Punjab, Karachi in Sindh, Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Quetta in Balochistan.

The interior minister urged that Pakistan needed to review and reset its system to address longstanding shortcomings and deliver better results to citizens.

“In no circumstances should we stray from the will of the people. All political parties will have to deliberate on this. It cannot be one person’s issue or one province’s decision,” he said.

He also extended his support for making Islamabad a province, arguing that the federal capital deserved a stronger fiscal position.

Naqvi further said the discussion on the proposed reforms was not supposed to be based on generational, tribal or regional divides. “Its aim is improved governance, a competent system and bringing people closer to the government.”