Political leaders and experts call for constitutional reforms, parliamentary consensus and practical steps to establish new provinces and strengthen local governance.

By Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD: Editor-in-Chief Pakistan Group of Newspapers and Chairman Roze News SK Niazi, while speaking in his renowned talk show Sachi Baat, said new provinces must be established as administrative reforms had become necessary to address public problems. He said the creation of provinces would not harm anyone and could help reduce poverty and improve public service delivery. He urged serious dialogue and practical progress, adding that the PPP should play a more active role in addressing public issues.

Advocate Supreme Court Talat Abbas Khan supported the establishment of new provinces, saying the issue required serious discussion and guidance could be drawn from international examples. He questioned the lack of practical progress despite repeated proposals and urged the government to adopt a clear position and take concrete decisions.

PPP Senator Shahadat Awan said new provinces must be established through the constitutional procedure prescribed in the 1973 Constitution. He recalled that the Punjab Assembly had passed resolutions in 2012 for South Punjab and Bahawalpur provinces, while the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly had approved a resolution for Hazara province in March 2014. He said a two-thirds majority in the relevant provincial assembly was required and stressed that Parliament, the Cabinet and political parties must play their role in moving the proposals forward.
Awan said administrative and financial planning was essential before creating new provinces, including decisions on resources and development needs. He called for progress on South Punjab and other proposed administrative units, particularly in areas such as Layyah, Bhakkar and Mianwali. He also stressed stronger local governments, implementation of Article 140A and the transfer of powers to lower levels. He said national unity, public welfare and political consensus must remain central to the process.

PTI leader Ali Bukhari said the Constitution clearly defined the procedure for establishing new provinces, including the requirement of a two-thirds majority in the relevant assembly. He called for detailed parliamentary debate, public consultation and decisions based on reliable data and ground realities. He highlighted water and electricity availability as major considerations, warning that water scarcity could become a serious challenge.
Bukhari said residents of South Punjab faced difficulties accessing justice, with people from areas such as Rahim Yar Khan having to travel to Lahore for court proceedings. He argued that new provinces could bring administrative facilities and justice closer to citizens. He also called for public representation and consensus, saying decisions about provincial boundaries must reflect people’s wishes and interests.

Former Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani said smaller administrative units were necessary to improve governance and address public problems. He stressed that Bahawalpur province should be restored and that legal obstacles to establishing new provinces must be removed. He called for a new administrative and local government system, supported by political consensus and cooperation among all political forces.
Durrani also questioned the existing provincial structure, describing it as a continuation of an administrative system inherited from British rule. He said influential feudal elements continued to protect the existing arrangement and stressed that meaningful reforms required political leadership to recognise the importance of public participation and people’s power.