Powerful officials support restructuring Pakistan’s administrative system through the creation of additional provinces or administrative units, but the matter has not yet been formally discussed in the federal cabinet, according to sources.
Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal has proposed creating between 12 and 15 new provinces, arguing that Pakistan’s four existing provinces have become too centralised for a population of around 260 million. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who initiated the latest discussion, continues to advocate for new administrative units to improve service delivery and accountability. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has suggested using Pakistan’s existing 36 divisions as a basis for restructuring.
Although public statements by senior ministers have grown increasingly explicit, sources said no formal cabinet decision has been taken. The debate is currently focused on building political consensus rather than determining specific numbers or boundaries of new provinces. Any restructuring would require constitutional amendments and political agreement involving provincial assemblies and parliament, making the issue particularly sensitive. The proposal has faced resistance from Sindh, where political leaders have opposed any division of the province.