Pakistan Considers New Provinces: A Political Gamble for Better Governance

Pakistan’s federal government is actively considering a major administrative overhaul. Senior minister Abdul Aleem Khan stated that creating smaller provinces is now “inevitable”. The plan aims to improve governance and service delivery across the nation.This move revives a long-debated political idea. It comes amid significant tensions in regions like Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to reports in Dawn and Geo TV, the proposal is gaining traction within the ruling coalition.

The Plan for a Twelve-Province Federation

The current proposal is surprisingly specific. Minister Khan suggested creating three new provinces from each of Pakistan’s four existing units: Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This would transform the country into a federation of twelve smaller administrative regions.Proponents argue that smaller provinces mean governments are closer to the people. They point to neighboring countries with numerous states as successful models. The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) supports the move through a constitutional amendment.However, the plan faces immediate political hurdles. The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), a key coalition partner, strongly opposes dividing Sindh. This internal disagreement highlights the complex political calculus behind the proposal.

Experts Warn of Unintended Consequences

Despite the government’s optimism, many analysts urge caution. Experts from think tanks like Pildat warn that past administrative reshuffles deepened regional grievances instead of solving them. The structural issues may lie deeper than provincial boundaries.Veteran bureaucrat Syed Akhtar Ali Shah, in The Express Tribune, identifies the core problem as weak institutions and poor local governance. He argues that creating new provinces without fixing these foundational flaws could exacerbate existing inequities. The process would also be costly and politically fraught.The focus, according to this critical view, should be on empowering local governments as the constitution intends. Merely redrawing the map may create new problems without solving the old ones of service delivery and accountability.

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The push for new provinces marks a significant political moment for Pakistan. Whether this administrative restructuring will solve governance issues or create new tensions remains the critical question. The nation watches as its leaders debate a fundamental change to its federal structure.

A quick knowledge drop for you

Why does Pakistan want to create new provinces?

The stated goal is to improve governance and bring administration closer to citizens. Supporters believe smaller provinces can deliver public services more efficiently than the current large administrative units.

Which existing province opposes being divided?

Sindh province strongly opposes division. The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), which leads Sindh’s government, has warned it will not accept any move to bifurcate or trifurcate the province.

What are the main arguments against the plan?

Experts argue it addresses symptoms, not root causes. They say weak local institutions and lack of accountability are the real problems, and creating new provinces could be a costly distraction that heightens regional tensions.

Has this idea been proposed before?

Yes. The idea of carving out new provinces has been debated for decades in Pakistan. Previous proposals, like creating a Seraiki or Hazara province, have gained momentum but never materialized due to political and constitutional hurdles.

What is the constitutional process for creating a new province?

It requires a constitutional amendment. This means securing a two-thirds majority in both houses of Pakistan’s Parliament, a high bar that demands significant political consensus which is currently lacking.