Jerusalem, October 2, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Pakistan’s military establishment is facing opposition over proposals to restructure the country’s provinces, particularly from political leaders in Sindh, with critics warning that the plans could deepen political divisions and threaten national unity, according to a report published in The Times of Israel.
Hasan Mujtaba, an award-winning journalist and human rights defender, wrote that the military establishment and the political leadership of Sindh, led by President Asif Ali Zardari and his Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), remain sharply divided over provincial restructuring and a proposed administrative separation of Karachi.
Mujtaba warned that the dispute could have serious implications for Pakistan’s territorial integrity, drawing a comparison with the events that led to the creation of Bangladesh in 1971.
He also raised concerns about the possibility of widespread violence if the military establishment proceeds with plans to divide the country’s historic provinces into more than a dozen administrative units. He argued that, despite being described as administrative restructuring, the proposed changes could effectively create new provinces.
According to Mujtaba, Pakistan’s 18th Constitutional Amendment has become a major point of contention between Sindh’s political leadership and the military establishment under Army Chief General Asim Munir. He alleged that the proposed 28th Constitutional Amendment could roll back protections established under the 18th Amendment and reduce provincial financial and administrative autonomy.
The 18th Amendment, passed during Zardari’s first term as President with a two-thirds majority in both the Senate and the National Assembly, significantly expanded provincial powers and limited the authority of the federal government.
Mujtaba identified the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award as another key source of tension. The award provides for the distribution of a substantial share of federal revenues to the provinces.
He alleged that the military establishment wants to redirect a portion of these funds to the federal government, despite the significant share of the national budget already allocated to defence.
The journalist further claimed that the establishment was using political allies and media figures to pressure Zardari to compromise on the 18th Amendment and support provincial restructuring.
Mujtaba noted that political analysts have warned that any such compromise could undermine the PPP’s political support base in Sindh, where the party has maintained a strong presence for nearly two decades.
He argued that the proposed redrawing of Pakistan’s internal boundaries could intensify existing political tensions and put the country’s unity at risk.
The concerns and allegations were presented in Mujtaba’s opinion article in The Times of Israel.
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