Naqvi says new administrative units to be formed only with people's consent

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi emphasized on Saturday that new administrative units would only be established if the population supported the idea. Addressing a National Policy Dialogue in Lahore, he reiterated that any proposed changes should stem from "political consensus" and "according to the will of our people". Naqvi stressed that such reforms could not be brought about solely based on the wishes of an individual, political party, or government, but rather through the collective consent of the public.

He advocated for a dialogue that would consider both the positive and negative aspects of these new units, drawing a clear distinction between resetting the system and dismantling its structure. Naqvi called for a thorough review of the benefits, methods, and financial implications of the new administrative units, stressing the need for parliamentary debate and public opinion before any changes could be implemented.

He reiterated his stance against any actions that might undermine the democratic process, urging political parties to engage in deliberations on the matter. Naqvi highlighted the systemic issues that required rectification, such as the low literacy rates, limited access to clean drinking water, and the backlog of court cases in the country.

He also pointed out the unfair distribution of resources, as Islamabad did not receive any funds from the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, despite being the capital city. Describing Islamabad as the only city not benefiting from the NFC Award, Naqvi called for the city to receive its due share, arguing that declaring it a province would grant its citizens their rightful entitlements.

Naqvi underscored that the proposed reforms aimed to empower the public without imposing any changes on their identity based on religion, language, or region. He stressed that the reforms were intended to enhance governance, create a competent system, and bring the people closer to the government. Naqvi reiterated his commitment to the public's will, asserting that the decision to implement these reforms would not be made by any single individual or province, but would be a collective decision of all political parties.