Pakistan, Sept. 11 -- Participants at a national debate on provinces and administrative units have called for the creation of smaller provinces in Pakistan, saying decentralisation is essential for better governance, public service delivery and national development.

The debate was organised by the Hazara Journalists Association and attended by Federal Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, Senator Talha Mahmood, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shehzada Gustasp, Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) leader Gul Asghar Khan, MPA Sonia Shah and senior politician Muhammad Ali Durrani, among others.

Speaking at the event, Senator Talha Mahmood, chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Defence, said the demand for a separate Hazara province had ...