Khawaja Asif calls power devolution inevitable amid province debate

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has stated that the devolution of power is "inevitable", but has accused the PPP of having a contradictory stance on new provinces. Asif criticized the PPP for supporting a Saraiki province proposal in Punjab while simultaneously advocating for a "Sindhudesh" movement. The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) was denied the chance to present a resolution against the "Sindhudesh movement" by the PPP, who had accused the party of misleading the public with a "dual policy".

Asif emphasized that power concentration had made the current system obsolete and needed to be corrected. The PPP, a key ally of the PML-N-led ruling coalition, has questioned Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's silence on the topic and sought his stance on creating new provinces. The PPP-led Sindh government recently passed a resolution opposing further division of the country's existing four provinces.

While there have been discussions about creating new federating units ranging from eight to 30 provinces, no official plan has been announced yet. PPP Parliamentarians Secretary General Nayyar Hussain Bokhari stressed the importance of obtaining the prime minister's position on the matter and ensuring provincial consent for creating new federating units, as well as obtaining a two-thirds majority in both the National Assembly and Senate for any constitutional amendment.

PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah refuted rumors of preparations for new provinces, stating that no bills or resolutions had been presented in parliament and that consultation and consensus among political parties would be essential before any such action could be taken.