Experts and policymakers have called for creating new administrative units in Pakistan to improve governance, strengthen public services and address people’s complaints more effectively.
They shared these views during a national debate organised by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) on whether Pakistan should create new provinces or administrative units. Experts, prominent speakers and representatives from different sectors attended the discussion.
Dunya Media Group Chairman Mian Amer Mahmood said he had no political agenda behind his support for new administrative units. He said Pakistan was built around its people and every region should work for their welfare and interests.
Mahmood said Punjab was Pakistan’s largest province and received a larger share of resources under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award because of its population and size. However, he said Punjab still faced criticism over the distribution of resources.
He said people could hold politicians accountable more effectively than institutions. He called for a serious national debate on the country’s administrative structure, fair distribution of resources and the transfer of powers to local governments.
Mahmood stressed that creating new administrative units should focus on public welfare rather than dividing the country. He said Balochistan could benefit the most from new administrative units, followed by Sindh.
Participants agreed that the government must strengthen local governments, transfer authority to the grassroots level and ensure fair resource distribution before creating new provinces or administrative units.
Saraiki scholar Zahoor Dhareja said authorities had also considered the issue of new provinces during General Zia-ul-Haq’s era. However, he said later constitutional changes made the process more difficult.
Speakers agreed that Pakistan should seriously consider stronger local governments and new administrative units to improve governance and bring basic services closer to citizens.