Khawaja Asif, a senior figure in the Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML‑N) and former foreign minister, told lawmakers that the devolution of authority to sub‑national entities is "inevitable" and rebuked the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) for what he described as a "two‑faced" stance on the creation of new provinces. His comments were made during a parliamentary session on Thursday and have intensified a simmering political row over a long‑standing demand to restructure Pakistan’s provincial map.
Background on devolution and new provinces
The debate centres on a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow the creation of additional provinces, a measure supporters say would bring governance closer to citizens in remote areas. Ahsan Iqbal, a senior PPP minister, has floated the idea of establishing up to fifteen new provinces, while opposition figures argue that the proposal could fragment the country’s political cohesion.
Proponents argue that the current four‑province structure – Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan – does not reflect the country’s ethnic and linguistic diversity, and that greater devolution would address longstanding grievances in under‑served regions. Critics, however, warn that the move could trigger fiscal and administrative challenges.
Political clash between PML‑N and PPP
According to Dawn, Asif accused the PPP of a “contradictory stance,” noting that the party had previously championed greater devolution while now appearing reluctant to endorse the formation of new provinces. The Express Tribune echoed the charge, quoting Asif as saying the PPP’s policy was “two‑faced” and that the party was showing “double standards.”
The PPP, meanwhile, has questioned Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s silence on the issue, as reported by Dawn. Party leaders have urged the prime minister to articulate a clear position, suggesting that the government’s hesitancy is fueling uncertainty among the electorate.
"Devolution of power is inevitable," Asif told the Senate, adding that the PPP’s shifting position undermines the credibility of the reform process.
Opposition figures, including Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and others in the PML‑N, have seized on Asif’s remarks to demand a transparent and inclusive debate, arguing that any amendment must reflect the “public will,” a point emphasized by Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ayaz Sadiq in a separate interview with The Express Tribune.
Constitutional hurdle and next steps
Any change to Pakistan’s provincial boundaries requires a two‑thirds majority in both the Senate and the National Assembly, a threshold noted by Pakistan Today. This high bar makes the political consensus essential, and the current impasse between the ruling coalition and opposition parties could stall the reform.
Analysts say the dispute highlights deeper fault lines within the coalition government, where the PPP and PML‑N must reconcile divergent views on federalism. The outcome will likely shape Pakistan’s governance model for the next decade, influencing everything from resource allocation to electoral politics.
As the parliamentary session continues, observers expect further statements from both sides. The government has signaled that it will convene a consultative committee to gauge public sentiment, but critics warn that without genuine cross‑party collaboration, the proposed devolution may remain a “paper promise.”
