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AN effort is underway to spark a debate on creating new administrative units in the country ostensibly on the grounds that the present system is not delivering. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, whose proximity to the establishment is well known, tried to make the case. Claiming the present governance system has “collapsed”, he called for more provinces and administrative units. He offered no explanation of what “collapse” meant and how new units would magically fix Pakistan’s problems. His proposal found backing from the military spokesman. He echoed the call, urged a system “reset” and endorsed the creation of new administrative units.
Such calls are, of course, not new. Every so often, this proposal surfaces, mostly from the establishment or other interested groups. But any sweeping change has never found traction among major political parties or the public at large. This time was no different. Naqvi faced criticism from across the political spectrum. Prominent ruling party leaders questioned his statement. The PPP’s Sindh chief minister, Murad Ali Shah, roundly rejected the creation of new provinces. Awami Tehreek leaders accused the interior minister of advocating Sindh’s division. Other parties argued that an “illegitimate” government had no authority to undertake such a move. The Lahore High Court Bar Association condemned Naqvi’s proposal as unconstitutional. Its office-bearers said those responsible for the destruction of the existing order were now proposing a “new system”.
