Administrative provinces returned to the centre of Pakistan’s political debate on Saturday after the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) renewed its demand for structural reforms, arguing that the country cannot modernise governance or revive its economy without creating new administrative units.

The renewed discussion follows recent remarks by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi supporting administrative restructuring. MQM-P leaders said Pakistan’s governance, economic and political challenges require additional administrative provinces, stronger local governments and an end to hereditary politics.

Speaking at a press conference at the party’s Bahadurabad headquarters in Karachi, MQM-P Chairman and Federal Education Minister Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said Pakistan’s future depends on shifting political leadership from hereditary elites to the middle class and the ideological successors of the country’s founders.

Siddiqui said MQM-P has consistently challenged dynastic politics by bringing middle-class citizens into representative institutions. He added that the party would continue advocating reforms aimed at improving governance.

Swat Suicide Blast Kills Seven After Bomber Targets Kabal Police Station

He argued that provinces are administrative entities rather than permanent structures and can be reorganised to deliver better public services. According to Siddiqui, MQM-P has long supported administrative provinces despite facing criticism, adding that traders, industrialists, workers and ordinary citizens are increasingly backing the proposal.

He also claimed that those opposing the creation of new administrative units were pursuing an agenda that does not serve Pakistan’s national interests.

Former prime minister and Awaam Pakistan convener Shahid Khaqan Abbasi also endorsed the idea during a separate press conference at the National Press Club in Islamabad.

Abbasi said the government had finally begun acknowledging that the country’s governance system was not functioning effectively. He welcomed Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s remarks but said the issue should have been debated in parliament or the federal cabinet.

Referring to recent comments by Inter-Services Public Relations Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Abbasi said senior officials had also recognised the need for meaningful reforms. However, he added that some elements continued to resist structural change.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) firmly rejected the proposal.

Addressing a separate press conference in Karachi, Sindh Labour and Human Resources Minister Saeed Ghani said the Constitution provides a clear legal process for creating new provinces.

He said no province can be established solely through political demands. Instead, the relevant provincial assembly must first approve the proposal through a two-thirds majority resolution before any constitutional amendment can move forward.