New provinces

Right now, the issue of new provinces is an “in” issue for the media. My newspaper editor, Ahsan Raza, tells me that we are receiving almost 10 to 15 articles every day on the subject. Most of them, unfortunately, repeat the same arguments.

Some writers say Pakistan desperately needs new provinces. Others argue that creating more provinces will solve problems related to governance, development and the concentration of power. A few fear that new provinces could create new political and ethnic divisions.

But the debate itself is not new.

The creation of new provinces has been discussed in Pakistan for decades. Every few years, the subject returns with great energy. Television channels hold discussions. Politicians make statements. Newspapers publish articles. Social media becomes active.

Then, gradually, the excitement disappears.

The issue is often used for national dialogue, political narrative-building and media hype. After some time, it is quietly dumped, only to return again in another political season.

My friends, acquaintances and relatives often ask me about my opinion on the creation of new provinces.

My answer is usually simple.

It can be a wonderful idea. It can also be a terrible idea.

If it works, it is fine. But if the existing system is allowed to work properly, that can also be the finest solution.

For me, the real issue is not always the creation of new ideas. The real issue is implementation.

Pakistan has never suffered from a shortage of ideas. We have suffered from a shortage of continuity, commitment and implementation.

In recent years, we have seen a flurry of new systems, programmes and reforms. They work for some time. A new government arrives, and priorities change. Another government introduces another system. The previous project is forgotten, modified or completely abandoned.

The cycle continues.

This is why I believe we should be careful before assuming that simply creating new provinces will automatically solve Pakistan’s problems.

Politicians say Parliament would have to decide whether public opinion should be sought.

Pakistan has already travelled through one major phase of constitutional decentralisation. Under the 18th Constitutional Amendment, significant powers were transferred from the federal government to the provinces.

But an important question remains.

Did those powers actually reach ordinary people?

Or did they simply move from Islamabad to provincial capitals?

This is where the debate becomes more interesting.

Imagine a citizen living in a remote district of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa or Balochistan. Does it make much difference to that person whether decisions are made in Islamabad or in a provincial capital hundreds of kilometres away?

Perhaps not.

If the power remains concentrated in one place, the ordinary citizen may continue to feel ignored.

Powers must eventually move further downwards, towards divisions, districts and union councils. In my opinion, this is a debate Pakistan desperately needs.

What we need is not merely decentralisation on paper. We need devolution in real life.

Local governments should have meaningful powers. District administrations should have greater authority. Local representatives should be able to address the everyday problems of citizens.

This brings me back to the question of new provinces.

Yes, smaller provinces may bring government closer to the people. They may allow better administration and more focused development. They may help regions that feel neglected by distant provincial capitals.

But creating a new province without changing the system of governance could simply create another capital, another bureaucracy and another group of powerful people.

The ordinary citizen may still remain exactly where he or she is today: far away from decision-making.

That would be the worst possible outcome.

On the other hand, if the creation of new provinces is accompanied by genuine political and administrative reforms, it could become a positive step for Pakistan.

But we must first decide what problem we are trying to solve.