Khawaja Asif hints at new system in new year amid progress on new provinces

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said consultations are underway to develop consensus on the creation of new provinces and administrative units, expressing hope that an agreement could be reached in the coming weeks.

Speaking to the media, he said discussions had been held with the leadership of all four provinces and political parties, both inside and outside parliament.

Asif said the creation of new provinces could bring significant changes to Pakistan's political and administrative structure, adding that 2026 could see progress towards a new system.

He said the concerns of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) would be addressed through consultations and stressed that the proposed changes should not be seen as political victimisation.

Referring to Afghanistan's administrative structure, he said increasing the number of provinces to 36 had helped improve governance.

The minister also said proper implementation of local government provisions under the 18th Amendment could have improved public service delivery, describing the current situation as a result of collective negligence.

He clarified that the establishment had not directed him to discuss administrative restructuring, adding that political and diplomatic matters were being discussed privately until consensus was achieved.

On the proposed Constitutional Court, Asif said it could provide guidance on constitutional matters, but he was unaware of the status of any referendum on the issue.

He further said recent meetings involving President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi may have addressed concerns emerging from Sindh.