A special report by Pakistan Connect highlights a growing debate over Pakistan’s administrative system and the creation of new provinces in the country.
Why are more provinces important in Pakistan?
Pakistan has a population of around 260 million people, but it only has four provinces. This has led to calls for more administrative units in the country.
Some proposals suggest that creating between 12 and 15 provinces is important. Another states that around 160 empowered district governments should be created in the country.
Supporters of these ideas say that smaller administrative units could bring the government closer to the people.
They also believe that this could improve public services. Many suggest that it could also help authorities make faster decisions. This way, accountability could also be improved in the country, the report says.
What is the debate over new provinces?
However, the report also highlights that critics say that creating more provinces alone may not solve Pakistan’s governance problems. They argue that local governments must also have real powers.
Without strong local governments, decision-making could remain centralised at another level. This could limit the benefits of creating new provinces.
There are also concerns about the cost of creating new provinces. New provincial assemblies, secretariats and government departments would require additional resources.
The division of resources could also become a major issue. There could even be questions about the distribution of water, taxes and funds. Political representation would also need to be considered.
‘Creation of more provinces is a basic need for stability’
Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, said that the creation of more provinces in Pakistan will lead it towards stability and development.
In a meeting with the Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development and Vice President of Pakistan Muslim League (Q), Chaudhry Salik Hussain and his party’s chief organiser, Dr Muhammad Amjad, the Interior Minister reiterated that the creation of more provinces is a basic need for the country right now.
He said that adding more provinces to the map of Pakistan will lead it towards stability and development.
Mohsin Naqvi argued that the country’s existing administrative structure is no longer suited to its growing population.
