{
  "id": 5722942,
  "title": "Asif says devolution of power is 'inevitable', accuses PPP of having contradictory stance on new provinces",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/asif-says-devolution-of-power-is-inevitable-accuses-ppp-of-having",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-05T05:36:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn - Pakistan",
    "slug": "dawn-pakistan",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2027666/asif-says-devolution-of-power-is-inevitable-accuses-ppp-of-having-contradictory-stance-on-new-provinces"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated that the devolution of power is \"inevitable\". He accused the PPP of having a contradictory stance on the issue of new provinces, pointing out their support for a Saraiki province in Punjab, while opposing multiple provinces or administrative units. Asif's comments contrasted with the PPP's recent denial of a resolution against the \"Sindhudesh movement\" tabled by the MQM-P, which the PPP accused of misleading the people. The PPP has questioned Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's silence on the matter, demanding his stance on the creation of new provinces. Despite the lack of official confirmation on proposals for new federating units, some ruling-party leaders and federal cabinet members have expressed support for the idea. The PML-N-led government, with a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly with the PPP's support, would require the consent of provinces for carving out new federating units.",
  "summary": "Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that the devolution of power is “inevitable”, while also accusing the PPP of having a contradictory stance on the issue of new provinces. “When there is talk of a Saraiki province in Punjab, the PPP supports it or shows a soft corner on this issue. And when there is talk of multiple provinces or administrative units instead of four, talk of ‘Sindhudesh’…",
  "key_points": [
    "Defence Minister Asif says devolution of power is inevitable",
    "PPP accused of contradictory stance on new provinces",
    "Asif contrasted with PPP's denial of Sindhudesh resolution"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The Defence Minister's remarks expose a rift within the ruling coalition on the creation of new provinces, highlighting the PPP's ambiguous position and potentially complicating the government's plans.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Express Tribune - Pakistan",
        "title": "Asif slams PPP over ‘two-faced’ policy on new provinces, calls devolution of powers ‘inevitable’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/asif-slams-ppp-over-two-faced-policy-on-new-provinces-calls",
        "published": "2026-09-05T01:19:42.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn",
        "title": "Asif says devolution of power is 'inevitable', accuses PPP of having contradictory stance on new provinces",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/asif-says-devolution-of-power-is-inevitable-accuses-ppp-of-having-5724730",
        "published": "2026-09-05T05:36:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Times",
        "title": "Khawaja Asif calls power devolution inevitable amid province debate",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/khawaja-asif-calls-power-devolution-inevitable-amid-province-debate",
        "published": "2026-09-05T06:48:15.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}