Pakistan's Provincial Landscape: A Call for Administrative Reform

Abdul Aleem Khan, the President of Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) and Federal Minister for Communications, has voiced his support for the creation of new provinces in Pakistan. He believes that the current administrative structure is inadequate and that dividing each of the four provinces into four administrative units could be a viable solution. The demand for a separate Hazara province has been ongoing since 2010, with key political parties in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa backing the move. Similarly, there are calls for the creation of South Punjab and Bahawalpur as separate provinces. Aleem Khan emphasized the need for politicians to take ownership of the issue, rather than prioritizing their own interests. He also stressed that the matter should not be used for political gain, but rather addressed through a national consensus. The debate over new provinces was sparked by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who highlighted the need for administrative reforms. However, his comments were met with skepticism by some, including the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which has rejected the idea outright.