Mustafa Kamal calls for creation of new administrative units, says existing system paralysed

Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal urged the establishment of new administrative divisions, asserting the current system had become dysfunctional. Addressing a foundation-laying event for a secondary-care hospital at Karachi airport, Kamal stated that Pakistan's population stands at 260 million, yet the nation is divided into only four provinces.

He argued that the creation of additional administrative units was imperative, citing that neighboring countries had expanded their provinces and advanced while Pakistan remained stagnant. Kamal likened establishing new administrative units to a family expanding its living space as children grow, emphasizing that it is an improvement rather than a division.

He questioned the rationale behind altering the name of a province, asserting that the objective is merely to enhance the system's functionality. Kamal emphasized that the entire Sindh province could retain its name, challenging the notion that changing the name equates to division. He lamented the federal government's provision of Rs22,000 billion to Sindh over 18 years, highlighting Karachi's struggles alongside Sindh's broader issues.

Kamal claimed that a sum of Rs300 billion could transform Karachi into an exemplary city, underscoring the need for government intervention in addressing Karachi's challenges. He also addressed the issue of fake domiciles being employed to secure government jobs in Quetta, expressing frustration over the lack of employment for young people.

Kamal noted instances of frustration leading to armed conflict and maternal deaths, attributing a portion of the blame to the current system. He reiterated the Constitution's provision for the creation of provinces, suggesting that discussions surrounding the matter do not equate to disbelief, as the procedure can be deliberated upon.

Kamal contended that 27 constitutional amendments have already been made, implying a flaw in the existing system. He proposed the creation of administrative units as a solution that could benefit regions like Kashmore. At the ceremony, Kamal laid the foundation stone for a modern secondary-care hospital at Karachi airport, converting a federal government dispensary into a secondary hospital.

This transformation aims to alleviate the need for patients to visit tertiary-care hospitals like Civil, Jinnah, and Abbasi for common ailments. Kamal hailed healthcare as a sensitive and crucial sector, emphasizing the importance of providing treatment to alleviate patient suffering. He lamented the prevalence of diseases caused by contaminated water and the lack of basic facilities, asserting that 80% of Sindh's population relies on contaminated water.