‘Existing provincial structure failing to deliver effective governance’

Political leaders, including the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) chairman Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, gathered for a programme advocating for the creation of new administrative units or provinces, and constitutionally empowered local governments in Pakistan. The event, titled "Empowered Local Bodies System, Creation of New Administrative Units, Developed and Stable Pakistan," aimed to address the rapid population growth, urban expansion and worsening governance issues faced by Pakistan.

Speakers emphasized that the current provincial structure had failed to handle the increasing demands, and argued that smaller administrative units should not be seen as a threat to the federation or national unity. Federal education minister Dr Siddiqui asserted that the demand for an urban Sindh province traced back to the inception of his party and aimed to create administrative units rather than weaken Pakistan.

He described it as one of the oldest such demands in the country and alleged prolonged economic deprivation of the region. Dr Farooq Sattar proposed dividing Sindh into multiple administrative regions and bestowing a special administrative status on Karachi. He emphasized that the 18th Amendment had strengthened provincial powers without ensuring adequate devolution to the grassroots, and urged a national debate on the matter.

Former finance minister and senior leader of Awam Pakistan Miftah Ismail mentioned three options: continuing with the existing system, empowering local governments or creating new administrative units. He criticized the failure of provincial governments to establish genuinely autonomous local governments. Former Karachi mayor Dr Sattar called for a broader national discourse, advocating for referendums in areas seeking new administrative units.

Senior politician Irfanullah Marwat stressed the city's inability to function under the current arrangements, citing Karachi's burgeoning population and unplanned settlements, demanding a governance structure capable of addressing the city's infrastructure and civic needs. The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry President, Rehan Hanif, and business leader Atiq Mir echoed the demand for greater devolution of powers and resources, highlighting the need for a governance structure to tackle the city's infrastructure and civic needs.