# Minister Proposes Dividing Pakistan into Twelve Administrative Provinces Khawaja Asif advocates for decentralization to improve public service delivery across the nation. - **Source:** [Dawn](https://www.dawn.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-09 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/4d2fe5ce-5cf2-4bc4-8199-044159eaabb9 ## Proposal for Administrative Restructuring Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has publicly supported creating up to 12 provinces in Pakistan to improve governance. He argues that the current concentration of power in provincial capitals like Lahore and Karachi hinders service delivery. The proposal emphasizes administrative efficiency rather than linguistic, ethnic, or political divisions to address population growth. ## Decentralization of Financial Authority Asif criticized the current system where federal funds remain trapped under provincial control instead of reaching local institutions. He insists that local government bodies must gain direct access to resources to function effectively. This shift aims to empower grassroots levels by reducing dependency on provincial governments for essential municipal funding. ## Historical and Regional Context The minister referenced the defunct One Unit scheme, which previously merged West Pakistan into a single entity, to highlight past administrative failures. He also pointed to Afghanistan as a comparative example, noting its expansion from ten to over thirty provinces. These historical references underscore his argument for smaller, more manageable units. ## Potential Constitutional Amendment Reports suggest the government is contemplating a 28th Constitutional Amendment to facilitate this massive restructuring. A nationwide referendum is also being considered to validate the potential division of provinces. Under this plan, Punjab could be divided into four units, while KP and Balochistan would be split into three each, and Sindh into two. ## MQM-P Renews Administrative Demands The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan has reaffirmed its demand for new administrative units in Sindh to end urban deprivation. During a high-level meeting in Karachi, party leaders emphasized that such changes are essential for equitable service provision. They view this restructuring as a critical step toward addressing long-standing civic challenges in urban centers. ## Political Mobilization in Sindh MQM-P Convener Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui has directed party members to mobilize at the neighborhood level ahead of local government elections. The party aims to secure a historic win to restore representation for urban communities. Their agenda focuses on transparent fund utilization and protecting the fundamental rights of citizens in Sindh. ## Challenges to Centralized Power Minister Asif urged political leaders to abandon the temptation of hoarding power, reminding them that authority is entrusted by the people. He noted that politicians must change their attitudes toward governance to prioritize public welfare. This shift is presented as a necessary evolution to overcome the current administrative and civic gridlock. ## Future Outlook and Significance The debate over creating new provinces represents a major shift in Pakistan's political discourse regarding federalism. If implemented, this restructuring would fundamentally alter the nation's governance structure and resource allocation mechanisms. Observers are now watching to see if the proposed constitutional changes will gain enough political consensus to move forward. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.dawn.com/news/2043163/minister-supports-creation-of-up-to-12-provinces — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._