Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Chairman Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui on Sunday advocated the creation of new provinces and called for a national dialogue on the issue, saying the country's governance structure requires significant administrative reform. The call comes amid a renewed debate on administrative reforms after Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi proposed last month the creation of new administrative units, arguing that Pakistan's "collapsed" governance structure requires restructuring to meet growing administrative challenges.
Siddiqui, addressing a press conference alongside senior Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leaders Dr Farooq Sattar and Mustafa Kamal in Karachi, urged political parties to rise above partisan differences and build a consensus on administrative reforms. He argued that the issue should be addressed through an inclusive national discussion rather than political confrontation. He said support for the proposal was growing across the political spectrum, adding that Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) was prepared to engage with all stakeholders to develop a framework for the establishment of new provinces where they were needed.
Siddiqui maintained that Pakistan's provinces were originally formed on linguistic considerations and had since evolved into large administrative units. Despite substantial population growth over the decades, he said, successive governments had created numerous districts while avoiding a broader debate on provincial reorganisation. "The effects of not creating new provinces should also be discussed," he said, arguing that administrative boundaries should reflect population size and governance needs.
He added that Sindh was among the regions where the demand for additional administrative units was most pronounced. The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) chairman rejected the notion that advocating new provinces was controversial, noting that the Constitution itself contains provisions relating to the creation of provinces. "If it is considered an act of disloyalty, then why does the Constitution provide for it?" he asked.
Referring to the 18th Constitutional Amendment, Siddiqui said his party supported the reforms to ensure that the benefits of democracy reached all parts of the country. He argued, however, that the objectives of decentralisation could not be fully realised without strengthening administrative structures at the provincial level. He said Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) had already introduced a constitutional bill on the issue, which remains before a parliamentary standing committee, and recalled that the party had previously sought judicial intervention when progress stalled.
Siddiqui said Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) would continue supporting calls for new provinces from different parts of the country and remained open to dialogue with all political parties. He also indicated that the party could again approach the Supreme Court if constitutional and legal obligations regarding the matter remained unfulfilled. Kamal said that the creation of additional administrative units was not aimed against any ethnic group, including Sindhis, but was intended to improve governance and public representation.
He said a more decentralised administrative structure would give citizens greater influence over local governance and strengthen accountability. Addressing the presser, Sattar said the establishment of additional administrative units has become essential for the country's stability and cohesion. He was of the view that bringing governance closer to citizens would improve public participation, enhance service delivery and ensure that local leadership emerged from the areas it represented.
The proposal has, however, elicited mixed reactions across the political spectrum. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which governs Sindh and is a key coalition partner of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has firmly opposed the creation of new provinces. Senior government figures, including Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Prime Minister's Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, have also refrained from endorsing the idea.
As the debate gathered momentum, Naqvi moved to clarify his earlier remarks, rejecting suggestions that he had criticised the government. He said he was part of the administration and would not issue a "charge sheet" against his own government. Speaking to A day ago, Sanaullah said that the government had not formulated any plan regarding the creation of new provinces.
Speaking on He said Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader and Federal Minister Kamal's proposal was primarily focused on Karachi, adding that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)'s top leadership had not discussed the issue in recent days. He also questioned the level of public support for the proposal, arguing that there was no widespread demand for new provinces across the country. Apart from calls for a Hazara province, he said, there was little evidence of a broader grassroots movement in favour of provincial reorganisation.
The proposal has, however, found support in some political quarters. Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) President Abdul Aleem Khan backed the creation of new provinces, describing it as a national issue that should not be sacrificed for political expediency. He also voiced support for the establishment of South Punjab and Bahawalpur provinces, saying demands for additional administrative units were emerging from different parts of the country.
Major opposition party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan also endorsed the idea, saying the country required additional administrative uni.