Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s statement that “Pakistan’s current system has collapsed and needs to be reset” is not just a political statement but also an admission of the administrative and economic crisis at the government level and after this admission, Pakistan needs a new path, and that path can only emerge through honest leadership, effective governance, the rule of law and national consensus.
Interestingly, this was not said by an opposition leader but by a key member of the federal cabinet, which reinforces the impression that fundamental reforms in the state system have become inevitable.
It is no secret that Pakistan is currently facing serious problems such as economic difficulties, rising debt, declining growth, weak institutional performance, inflation, unemployment and poor governance. Over the past several decades, governments have changed, policies have changed, but the fundamental reforms in the state structure that a modern state needs have not been implemented.
Mohsin Naqvi, while proposing new provinces or administrative units, invited all political parties to sit at one table and find solutions to national problems. In principle, this is a positive proposal, because in a federal country like Pakistan, major constitutional and administrative decisions are possible only with national consensus.
At the same event, Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal raised an important point regarding the 18th Constitutional Amendment. According to him, powers were transferred from the federation to the provinces, but the provinces did not transfer them to the lower level. This is the basic weakness due to which the common man still needs provincial capitals to solve his basic problems.
After the abolition of the system of local governments introduced after 2001, local government institutions in Pakistan continued to weaken. As a result, powers were limited to a few people or a few offices. The secret to the success of the developed countries of the world is not only a strong central government but also empowered local governments, where the daily problems of citizens are solved at the local level.
The discussion of new provinces is also not new. For years, new provinces have been demanded on administrative grounds in South Punjab, Hazara, Bahawalpur, Saraiki Province, former FATA and other areas. According to the constitution, the approval of the relevant provincial assembly and parliament is necessary for the establishment of a new province, so this decision is more of a constitutional and national matter than a political slogan.
Many countries in the world have changed their federal structure over time for administrative convenience. The number of states in India has been increasing from time to time, Turkey has 81 provinces, while other countries have also been making administrative divisions according to population and geographical needs. However, the success of these countries is not only in creating new administrative units but also in giving them financial, administrative and legal powers.
The real crisis of Pakistan is not just about the four provinces but about governance. If there is no transparency in institutions, accountability is weak, resources are not distributed fairly, merit is not followed and the law is not equal for all, then increasing the number of provinces will not completely solve the problems.
The budget of the current fiscal year is also deficit-based, while the national debt is continuously increasing. Development expenditure is being limited and a large part of the government’s income is spent on paying off debts. In such a situation, without economic reforms, improved tax system, increased exports, industrial development and promotion of investment, mere administrative changes cannot yield lasting results.
Journalist Rauf Klasra compared Mohsin Naqvi’s speech to that of General Jahangir Karamat in 1998. Regardless of this historical event, the real question is whether we can learn from past conflicts and create a political environment where differences of opinion can be used positively for state reforms? A strong democratic system should have the tradition of openly discussing national issues and making decisions through parliament.
Pakistan today needs not just new provinces but a new national vision. A vision that includes fundamental measures such as a strong local government system, independent and effective accountability, a non-political and professional bureaucracy, speedy justice, quality education, better health, financial autonomy for local governments and documenting the economy.
If the political leadership really wants to “reset” Pakistan, then it must first move away from power politics and towards state politics. Consensus on a National Economic Charter, a National Democratic Charter and a National Governance Charter is the greatest need of the hour. Pakistan can emerge from its problems not only through statements, seminars and speeches but also through practical reforms, constitutional supremacy, strong institutions and restoration of public trust.
Read also: Mohsin Naqvi: Pakistan’s System Has Collapsed, New Administrative Units Needed
