Mirza Mohammad Afridi, Senate Deputy Chairman, has proposed the creation of nine new provinces, one of which would include Karachi.
Afridi made the suggestion during an interview on Dawn News’ ‘Doosra Rukh’, which will air at 7 p.m. today. Afridi, a tribal district resident, was elected to the Senate as an independent candidate in 2018.
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He supported for the creation of separate provinces for Karachi, the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata), and the Hazara area, as well as the division of Punjab and Balochistan into three provinces each.
“Look at Balochistan, how vast its area is,” the Senate deputy chairman added. Balochistan should be divided into three provinces, and Punjab should be divided into three distinct provinces.”
He advocated for Karachi to be declared a totally different province, adding, “Fata should also be made a separate province, and one province should be formed for Hazara.”
Afridi went on to say that the more provinces Pakistan has, the better.
When asked about the PPP’s reservations when the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan demanded the same for Karachi, Afridi responded, “The 18th Amendment was made [and] NFC (National Finance Commission) award was done, right?” When [new] provinces are founded, the NFC prize will be distributed in the same manner.”
He went on to say that if the aforementioned provinces are constituted, they will continue to get their share of the fiscal budget as part of the NFC reward.
When asked if the decision to merge Fata with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was taken hastily, Afridi answered, “We should have obtained a commitment on the promises [made].”
The Senate deputy chairman complained that the government did not keep its commitments to the former Fata, and that its people continue to confront severe challenges.
He stated that he had discussed the issue of funding with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar as well, adding that new provinces will alleviate the country’s challenges.
Afridi’s remarks come months after the issue of developing additional provinces resurfaced when PML-N senators introduced two proposals in March demanding the formation of South Punjab and Hazara provinces.
The measure to create the province of South Punjab was introduced as a private member’s bill by PML-N Senator Rana Mehmoodul Hassan, while the bill for Hazara was introduced by PML-N Senator Pir Sabir Shah.
The two contentious constitutional amendment bills were scheduled to be heard by the Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice.
Separately, former Prime Minister and PPP Vice-Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani stated last month that conversations with all political parties in the country will be held in order to propose the bill for the establishment of a Seraiki province in the assembly as soon as possible.
