CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Debate has intensified in Pakistan over major changes to the country’s administrative structure. According to media reports, Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir is in favour of a proposal to divide the country’s four large provinces into smaller provinces.
Under the plan, the option of creating 12 to 15 new provinces in place of Pakistan’s existing four provinces is under discussion. However, no final decision or formal plan has yet been made public in this regard.
Pakistan’s four provinces are Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. According to reports, the stated objective behind creating smaller administrative units is to make governance more effective and to make it easier for ordinary people to access government services.
The idea of creating new provinces is facing opposition in Sindh. Political parties and regional organisations there say the division of the province could affect their identity and rights. The Sindh Assembly has also passed a resolution against any proposal to divide the province.
Creating new provinces in Pakistan would require the constitutional process to be followed. It would need a two-thirds majority in both houses of Parliament, along with approval from the concerned provincial assembly. Therefore, the country’s administrative map cannot be changed merely on the wish of the army chief.
For now, discussions are continuing in Pakistan on both options: creating new provinces and increasing powers at the district level. The final decision will depend on political consensus and the constitutional process.
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