By Shakal Khan, BS English Student, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (MUET), Jamshoro
Currently, Pakistan consists of four provinces. In recent years, there have been calls for the establishment of additional provinces, such as South Punjab, Bahawalpur, and other proposed administrative entities. Proponents of creating smaller provinces claim that smaller provinces will lead to improved governance, increased representation, and enhanced regional development. However, I am of the opinion that Pakistan does not require additional provinces; it requires better governance. The creation of new provinces would result in increased administrative costs and create new political and financial problems, while failing to address Pakistan’s underlying issues.
The Financial Cost of New Provinces in Pakistan
The primary concern regarding the creation of new provinces is the financial cost. A new province would necessitate a whole new set of governmental institutions: a provincial assembly, a secretariat, departments and administrative offices. All of these require public funding. Pakistan is currently experiencing significant economic and fiscal difficulties. Allocating significant amounts of public funds towards the establishment of new provincial governments would divert funding from critically needed areas. These include education, health care, infrastructure development, and employment generation.
New Boundaries Do Not Guarantee Better Governance
Secondly, creating a new province does not guarantee improved governance. The main issues plaguing many regions are weak institutional capacity, lack of accountability, limited availability of resources, and inadequate delivery of public services. The creation of new administrative boundaries alone does not guarantee that these issues will disappear. If the current administrative structure is not managed efficiently, creating another province may merely replicate the existing problems at a smaller scale.
The Other Side Makes a Fair Point
Proponents of new provinces have a valid argument. They believe that large provinces make it difficult for governments to meet the needs of geographically remote and underdeveloped regions. A smaller province may allow decision-making to occur closer to the population, increase political representation, and enable greater focus on regional development. These are legitimate concerns, and regions that perceive themselves as being marginalised should not be ignored. However, creating a new province is not the sole method of addressing these problems. Enhancing local government capabilities, granting greater fiscal autonomy to districts, and improving public service delivery could help government serve its citizens more effectively. All of this is possible without creating a completely separate provincial administration.
Strengthen Local Government Instead
Rather than creating new provinces, Pakistan should enhance local government authority. Local governments operate in closer proximity to everyday citizens and therefore possess greater knowledge of local problems. If districts and municipalities are provided with sufficient authority, funding, and accountability mechanisms, they can provide improved services. These include water supply, sewage disposal, road construction and maintenance, education, and health care. None of this requires the establishment of completely new provincial administrations.
Division and Resource Disputes Are Real Risks
Another concern is the potential for political and social divisions that may arise due to calls for new provinces. Discussions regarding provincial boundaries may involve language, ethnicity, identity, political representation, and control over resources. Such debates can lead to conflict among various community groups and political factions. Therefore, altering provincial boundaries should not be perceived as a quick fix to regional development problems.
There is also the issue of resource allocation. A new province would require determinations regarding the allocation of financial resources, government employees, infrastructure facilities, assets, and administrative responsibilities. Allocating resources in this manner could prove complicated. It could also lead to additional disputes among regions concerning their relative shares of national and provincial resources.
New Provinces in Pakistan Are Not the Answer — Better Governance Is
Nevertheless, opposing the creation of new provinces does not imply ignoring underdeveloped regions. Regions lacking adequate school facilities, hospitals, roads, universities, industries, and employment opportunities require substantial government intervention. A more effective strategy is to directly fund development initiatives in these areas rather than creating new provincial governments. Development funds should be directed toward underserved districts. Local authorities should also be empowered with increased responsibility for addressing local problems.
Consequently, the critical question is not whether Pakistan has four provinces or more. The fundamental question is whether the government possesses the capacity to provide its citizens with effective service delivery. Inability to govern effectively will render the creation of new provinces ineffective in resolving the problem. Conversely, if governance is enhanced, many regional problems can be resolved through utilisation of the existing provincial framework.
Instead of focusing on creating additional provinces, Pakistan should prioritise enhancing governance. While new provinces may offer potential advantages in terms of representation and regional administration, they may also impose additional administrative costs, generate political conflicts, and impose additional financial burdens. Instead of fragmenting Pakistan into more provincial divisions, Pakistan should strengthen local governments and enhance accountability mechanisms. It should allocate development funds equitably across regions and fund development initiatives in underdeveloped regions. The solution lies not in creating more provinces; the solution lies in developing a better system of governance.
About the author: Shakal Khan is a BS English student at Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (MUET), Jamshoro, and a resident of District Kashmore, Sindh. He writes opinion pieces on Pakistan’s politics, governance and society.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Feature Pakistan.
