Ahsan Iqbal calls for 15 new provinces or empowered district governments

Planning minister says Pakistan’s existing federal-provincial governance model has failed to improve social indicators

 

ISLAMABAD: Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has called for a major overhaul of Pakistan’s governance structure, suggesting the creation of 15 additional provinces or, alternatively, the establishment of around 160 fully empowered district governments.

 

Speaking during a consultative session with media representatives on governance reforms for Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), Iqbal said Pakistan's existing two-tier governance system — comprising the federal and provincial governments — had failed to adequately address public needs or improve key social indicators.

 

He argued that meaningful decentralisation was essential for improving service delivery and strengthening democracy.

 

“Pakistan's democratic system cannot function effectively without a strong third tier of government,” Iqbal said, stressing the need for greater administrative, financial and political empowerment of local governments.

 

According to the minister, Pakistan's political structure currently has only around 1,170 public offices serving a population of approximately 260 million. He said between 150,000 and 200,000 public offices would be needed through an expanded local government system to bring governance closer to citizens.

 

Iqbal noted that while 17 subjects were devolved from the federal government to provinces under the 18th Constitutional Amendment, provinces had largely failed to transfer similar responsibilities to local governments.

 

He said Article 140-A of the Constitution provides for local governments but requires stronger provisions to ensure their effective administrative, financial and political autonomy.

 

“If Pakistan is unwilling to create new provinces, the only viable alternative is to establish around 160 district governments,” he said, adding that social indicators had continued to deteriorate despite increased resource transfers to provinces through the National Finance Commission.

 

Proposed reforms for Islamabad

 

The planning minister also shared preliminary proposals for restructuring the governance system of Islamabad Capital Territory, although the plan remains subject to approval by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

 

Iqbal said Islamabad's current administrative framework leaves its estimated 2.6 million residents without adequate political representation, with key responsibilities concentrated among bureaucratic institutions.

 

A committee reviewing the governance model has proposed establishing an Islamabad Capital Territory Government (ICTG) alongside an elected Islamabad Capital Territory Assembly (ICTA).

 

Under the proposal, the assembly could comprise 27 members, including 21 directly elected representatives, five reserved seats for women and one seat for minorities.

 

The elected assembly would select its leader, who could potentially serve as either chief minister or mayor and act as the chief executive of the ICT government.

 

However, responsibilities related to law and order and the city's master planning could remain under the control of the federal government.

 

The proposed restructuring would also transfer most functions of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to the ICT government, except for responsibilities related to master planning.

 

Iqbal said the reform process was prompted by growing concerns over Islamabad's fragmented administrative structure, particularly following the recent fire tragedy at PIMS that claimed the lives of newborns.

 

The proposed model seeks to consolidate existing institutions and create a clearer governance framework rather than requiring substantial additional financial resources.

 

A unified law, tentatively titled the Islamabad Capital Territory Government Act 2026, has also been proposed to provide the legal framework for the new governance structure, subject to necessary constitutional and legislative amendments.

 

The final decision on the proposed reforms, including whether Islamabad would have a chief minister or mayor-led administration, will rest with the federal government.