New Administrative Units: Khawaja Asif Calls for Decentralising Government Power

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has called for a review of Pakistan’s administrative structure, arguing that population growth and the concentration of power in provincial capitals are making public service delivery more difficult.

Speaking on Sunday, November 8, 2026, Asif said the country should consider establishing additional administrative units to bring government services closer to citizens and improve governance.

He said significant administrative authority remained concentrated in provincial capitals, including Lahore, Karachi, Quetta and Peshawar. Transferring some powers to smaller administrative units, he argued, could make government institutions more accessible and responsive to public needs.

Referring to Pakistan’s political history, the defence minister recalled the One Unit system, under which the country’s provinces were merged into a single administrative unit.

He also cited Afghanistan, saying the country had increased the number of its provinces from around eight to approximately 30 to 32 as part of its administrative restructuring.

Asif said federal funds transferred to provincial governments often remained under provincial control instead of reaching local government institutions. He argued that local bodies should play a central role in addressing community needs.

The minister added that local governments remained financially dependent on provincial administrations, limiting their ability to provide essential services and respond to problems at the local level.

He stressed that political leaders should regard public authority as a responsibility entrusted to them by citizens rather than a privilege reserved for a few individuals.

Asif said proposals to establish as many as 12 administrative units deserved serious consideration. However, he maintained that any restructuring should not be based on language, ethnicity or narrow political interests.

His remarks have renewed discussion about decentralisation, stronger local governments and possible changes to Pakistan’s administrative structure.

Creating new provinces or altering existing provincial boundaries would require constitutional amendments and political consensus. Such proposals could also face disagreements among political parties and provincial stakeholders.