Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has backed the creation of new administrative units in Pakistan, stating that creating 12 provinces in Pakistan could help manage the country's growing population and improve public service delivery. Speaking to reporters in Sialkot, Asif emphasised that any future restructuring must be based strictly on administrative needs rather than ethnic, linguistic, or political considerations.
Addressing the public on Sunday, Asif noted that discussions on reorganising administrative units in Pakistan have been under way for the past two months. He argued that concentrating administrative authority and financial resources within provincial capitals—such as Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, and Peshawar—hinders the effective transfer of funds to local government bodies.
Decentralisation and administrative restructuring
Asif pointed out that as Pakistan’s population expands, smaller administrative units are necessary to ensure proper governance. He stated that federal transfers to provincial administrations often fail to reach local institutions effectively because provincial capitals hold too much discretionary power over spending.
Highlighting regional historical context, the defence minister cited Afghanistan, which expanded its administrative divisions from around 8 to 10 provinces to over 30. He also recalled Pakistan's own history with the One Unit scheme, which merged provinces before eventually being undone, as evidence of how administrative frameworks evolve.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- Past two months: Initial discussions and opinions emerge across Pakistan regarding the reorganisation of provincial boundaries.
- Sunday: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif publicly backs establishing up to 12 administrative units during remarks in Sialkot.
- First Quarter 2027 (Reported): Preparatory work could potentially begin on proposals for administrative restructuring.
- First Half 2027 (Reported): A possible 28th Constitutional Amendment and national referendum could be considered to approve new provincial boundaries.
Reported restructuring proposal
His comments follow reports of a proposed restructuring plan that could divide the nation into 12 distinct administrative regions. Under the discussed framework, Punjab would be split into four provinces, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan into three each, and Sindh into two.
Reports suggest that a nationwide referendum and a potential 28th Constitutional Amendment could be explored in 2027 to implement these changes. However, officials have confirmed that no final decisions have been made regarding boundary lines, constitutional procedures, or local governance structures.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif ne kaha hai ke Pakistan mein hukoomat ke nizam ko behtar banane ke liye 12 subay banaye ja sakte hain. Unhon ne wazahat ki ke naye subay lisani ya siyasi bunyadon par nahi balke sirf awam ki sahulat ke liye banne chahiye. Unka kehna tha ke Lahore aur Karachi jaise bare shahron mein tamom ikhtiyarat rakhne ke bajaye chote ilaqon ko zaroori fund aur ikhtiyarat milne chahiye.
