Barrister Saif calls for new provinces, governance…
PESHAWAR: Former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Adviser Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif has called for the creation of additional administrative provinces, saying Pakistan needs major structural reforms to improve governance and public service delivery.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Saif said the proposal to establish new provinces should be taken seriously, arguing that the existing administrative framework is no longer capable of addressing the growing needs of the population efficiently.
He said discussions alone would not bring meaningful change and urged the federal government to move beyond proposals by initiating practical measures for administrative restructuring. According to him, governance can only improve if reforms are implemented instead of remaining limited to public debate.
Saif maintained that decision-making authority is concentrated within a small section of the bureaucracy, which limits administrative efficiency and delays the resolution of public issues. He stressed that a more balanced distribution of powers would strengthen governance and improve accountability.
He said Pakistan requires comprehensive administrative reforms that would transfer greater authority to lower levels of government. Establishing new provinces, he added, would bring the government closer to the people, improve access to public services and ensure faster responses to local challenges.
The former adviser also highlighted the importance of an effective local government system, saying empowered local bodies are essential for addressing citizens’ problems at the grassroots level. He argued that decentralisation and stronger local institutions would enhance transparency, improve service delivery and promote sustainable development across the country.