ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf on Monday said there is broad political consensus on the creation of Hazara province, adding that establishment of new administrative units is necessary for effective governance.

Addressing a news conference at the National Press Club here alongside Senator Talha Mahmood, MNA Murtaza Javed Abbasi, MNA Babar Nawaz Khan, Syeda Sonia Shah and other leaders of the Hazara Province Movement, Mr Yousaf, who is also the chairman of Suba Hazara Tehreek, said the demand has been pursued through peaceful means for the last 16 years but now it could no longer be ignored and public pressure is mounting for it.

The minister said the movement for a separate Hazara province began in 2010 and seven young men sacrificed their lives for the cause. The minister said that leaders of different political parties have supported the demand for Hazara province regardless of their political affiliations.

Mr Yousaf said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly passed resolutions in favour of the Hazara province in 2014, 2018 and 2020.

Arguing for the creation of new provinces, Mr Yousaf said the country’s growing population and administrative requirements have made smaller administrative units essential for the country.

Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2026