Residents of Dera Ghazi Khan have called for the creation of a separate province for the region, saying greater administrative autonomy and better allocation of funds could help address local issues and create more employment opportunities.
Speaking to the private media outlet on September 30, residents said Dera Ghazi Khan remained underdeveloped and lacked sufficient industrial and employment opportunities.
One resident said the Dera Ghazi Khan division should be made a separate province, arguing that smaller administrative units could provide greater relief to the public.
“Punjab’s population has reached around 140 million. As the population grows, problems also increase. If smaller administrative units are created, they could generate employment opportunities and attract industries,” the resident said.
Another resident said people from Dera Ghazi Khan often have to travel to Lahore even for minor administrative matters.
“Whenever projects or funds are allocated, they are directed towards Lahore, while Dera Ghazi Khan is left deprived,” the resident claimed.
Residents also called for a separate Saraiki province, saying it could bring government services closer to the people and improve access to basic facilities such as education and healthcare.
Another resident said several development projects in the region remain incomplete for years. According to the resident, people are sometimes later informed that funding for such projects has been cancelled and the allocated money transferred back to Lahore.
“Once we have a separate province, it would be better for us because funds allocated for the region would be spent here,” the resident said, while also raising concerns about delays in education and healthcare projects.
A fourth resident said smaller provinces could improve governance and development by bringing decision-making closer to the people.
The residents’ comments reflect a broader demand among some communities in southern Punjab for greater administrative decentralisation and improved access to public services. The claims regarding funding allocations and development projects were made by the residents interviewed in the ARY News report and are not independently verified here.
