Summary Talking to media at Parliament House on Monday, Asif said he currently had no information about any specific proposal regarding new administrative units
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said the creation of new provinces or administrative units is a national issue and should not face opposition from any quarter, arguing that such a system could strengthen both the federation and the provinces.
Talking to media at Parliament House on Monday, Asif said he currently had no information about any specific proposal regarding new administrative units.
He said establishing an independent governing institution in Islamabad, which could function as an assembly or provincial or capital government, was a positive idea, noting that similar arrangements exist in several world capitals.
Asif said he was unaware of any discussion on the matter within his party or of any meeting held by the prime minister on the issue.
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He argued that if such a system were introduced at the federal level, provinces should also consider adopting it without hesitation.
Referring to Afghanistan, he said the country had expanded the number of provinces and that former Afghan president Ashraf Ghani had told him the move had improved public service delivery.
Calling the issue a national matter, Asif said political interests should not determine the outcome.
He suggested using the term “administrative unit” rather than “province” to avoid confusion.
He added that the Sindh government had the right to take its own position, while the priority should be ensuring effective services at the grassroots level.
