ANP rejects new provinces idea

PESHAWAR:

The Awami National Party's (ANP) central spokesperson, Engineer Ihsanullah Khan, has criticized the ongoing debate over the creation of new provinces, calling it an attempt to exploit public sentiments, divert attention from core issues, and cover up the repeated failures of so-called hybrid governments.

He said the debate was neither about reforms nor innovation, but rather a continuation of the colonial-era "divide and rule" policy. "The ruling elite treats people and regions as their personal fiefdoms, forgetting that these are not mere pieces of land but homelands of nations with centuries-old histories, cultures, and identities," he remarked.

According to the spokesperson, these are the same nations that once resisted colonial powers and still refuse to compromise on their rights. He stressed that the real issue was not the creation of new provinces, but the systematic denial of constitutional rights to existing ones. "To strengthen the federation, provincial autonomy must be ensured, historical injustices addressed, and a transparent, accountable system of governance established," he asserted.

Engineer Ihsanullah Khan further said Pakistan is a multi-national federation, and harmony must be fostered within the current federal structure. If genuine reforms are intended, he argued, the artificial debate over new provinces should be abandoned, and Pakistan should be reshaped into a true federation in line with international principles.