Karachi should be made separate province: Senate Deputy Chairman Afridi

Islamabad [Pakistan], July 3 : Deputy Chairman of Pakistan Senate, Mirza Muhammad Afridi has suggested carving out nine more provinces, including Karachi, for better administration, Pakistan-based Geo News reported.

In an interview, the senator recommended forming three provinces each in Balochistan and Punjab, two in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and one in Sindh.

Afridi, an independent lawmaker, said that KP's Hazara district and tribal areas (formerly Fata) be made separate administrative units.

"The more provinces there are in Pakistan, the better it will be. If new provinces are formed in the country, the problems will be solved" Geo News quoted Mirza Afridi as saying.

Talking about the sharing of resources, he said that after the 18th amendment, the provinces will continue to get their share.

The senator added that if new provinces are formed they will continue to get a share under the NFC (National Finance Commission) award, lamenting that the government has not fulfilled the promises made with FATA.

"Even today the people of FATA have many concerns and are facing difficulties," Geo News quoted Afridi as saying.

He further said that he has also raised the issue of funds with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.