LAHORE: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday floated the idea of holding a referendum to gauge public opinion on the creation of new provinces or administrative units, saying the exercise could settle the contentious debate once and for all.
The minister also assured political parties that they would be taken on board before any such arrangement was made.
‘We all talk about democracy.
Parliamentarians represent the people of Pakistan. I request all political parties to consider that most survey reports suggest that new provinces should be created for better governance. If people say in a referendum that provinces should be formed, we should go ahead with it. This is the best way to put an end to this debate, Mr Naqvi told journalists during a visit to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in Lahore.
Mr Naqvi has stirred political debate in recent months by repeat-edly calling for the creation of new administrative units, arguing that the existing system of governance has ‘collapsed’ and needs a reset.
He said political parties held differing views on the creation of new provinces, but those opposing the proposal should also present alternatives they considered more suitable for public consideration.
In an apparent attempt to allay the concerns of major political parties, the minister said: ‘Nothing will happen against their will. And if anything does happen, it will be after taking everyone into confidence.
Asked about PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s call for a ‘political reset’ and unity among political parties, Mr Naqvi said: ‘Bilawal and I are almost on the same page. He has talked about a political reset, while my suggestion is to reset many other things too.
Recently, Mr Bhutto-Zardari called for a ‘political reset’ to steer the country out of its ‘worstever economic crisis’, urging the government and opposition to set aside their differences and work together.
The PPP has strongly opposed proposals to create new provinces in Sindh.
However, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has argued that Pakistan could have as many as 12 provinces if the exercise were based on administrative rather than linguistic, ethnic or political considerations.
He has maintained that the country’s growing population necessitates smaller administrative units capable of delivering public services more efficiently.
Asked about allegations of corruption in Punjab levelled by PML-Q federal minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Mr Naqvi acknowledged that corruption was widespread and called for action to curb it.
‘If someone says that no corruption is taking place in Pakistan, let me tell you that corruption exists across the country. It is our responsibility to eliminate it. There is a need to highlight corruption wherever it exists. We must accept this fact and take the necessary measures,’ he said.
PML-N leaders, including the Punjab chief minister and Rana Sanaullah, had also indirectly suggested that Mr Naqvi was behind Mr Salik’s criticism of the provincial government.
The interior minister was also asked about a Capital Development Authority (CDA) notice concerning the residence of JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.
Defending the authority’s action, he said the campaign had been underway for months and was not directed against any particularindividual.
Responding to a question about a possible deal involving PTI founder Imran Khan, Mr Naqvi dismissed speculation that any behind-the-scenes arrangement was being negotiated.
‘Rumours have been circulating for the past day or two about what might happen and what might not.
Whatever their [Imran Khan and his family members’] legal rights are, they will get whatever relief the courts grant them. Everything else remains unchanged,’ he said.