Another promise fulfilled’: PM Shehbaz unveils m…

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal has renewed his call for the creation of new provinces in Pakistan, arguing that the country’s existing administrative structure is no longer adequate to serve its rapidly growing population. Speaking at the Pakistan Pharma Healthcare Expo, Kamal said debates over provincial boundaries were often framed as matters of honour and pride, but questioned why the same concern was not shown when children lost their lives after falling into open sewerage drains. He argued that Pakistan’s four provinces cover vast territories and that smaller administrative units could improve governance and ensure that public funds reach local communities more effectively. Kamal said the federal government distributes Rs8,884 billion annually among the provinces, but questioned the lack of an effective mechanism to ensure that funds reach union councils and communities at the grassroots level. He noted that Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are larger in area than many countries, while Sindh and Balochistan also cover territories exceeding those of numerous states around the world. According to him, Pakistan’s population has grown dramatically since the country had only around 37 million people, yet the number of provinces has remained unchanged. The minister cited countries such as Sri Lanka, Iran and India as examples of states with more administrative units, arguing that the creation of additional provinces would not weaken Pakistan but could instead strengthen the federation. Kamal also linked administrative shortcomings to growing security challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, where security personnel continue to lose their lives. He said Pakistan needed fundamental reforms to address the causes behind instability and improve governance. Turning to the issue of public infrastructure, the minister questioned the political focus on provincial identity when basic safety measures such as covering open sewer lines remain neglected. He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif works long hours and has extensive experience in provincial administration, but added that the federal government alone could not solve every local governance problem. The priority, he said, should be to strengthen the system rather than rely on individual interventions for issues such as sewer covers. Kamal urged all political parties to sit together and find a constitutional solution to the country’s administrative and governance challenges, saying meaningful reforms were needed to ensure public resources translated into better services and safer communities.

KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi Ameer Munem Zafar has accused government authorities of deliberately weakening the investigation into the Mir Raza Ali case, calling for the immediate arrest of those responsible. Speaking at a press conference at the Noor-e-Haq Institute, Zafar said the circumstances surrounding the case had raised serious questions. He pointed out that the incident was initially reported as a suicide, while findings that emerged following the exhumation presented a markedly different picture. Zafar said the government was responsible for ensuring a transparent investigation and bringing the people involved to justice. He alleged that the government machinery was instead being used to undermine the case. Turning to Karachi’s civic problems, the JI leader said a large part of the city was facing a severe water shortage. He accused the Water Corporation of becoming a centre of corruption and criticised the recent increase in water prices. Zafar also expressed concern over the city’s water supply from the Hub Canal, saying the situation had become evident to residents. He further criticised the disruption caused by the Red Line project, saying Karachi’s citizens were being subjected to considerable difficulties in the name of development.