Pakistan: Can creating new provinces fix governance?
Pakistanis broadly agree that the country needs more responsive and effective government, but many question whether simply creating more provinces is the solution.
A contentious debate has re-emerged in Pakistan regarding the effectiveness of its four-province system for governing a nation of over 260 million people. Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal has called for a national discussion on administrative reform, suggesting the creation of 12 to 15 new provinces or 160 empowered district governments to enhance governance and public service delivery.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi proposed the idea in July, emphasizing that any new administrative units should have public backing. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has also advocated for decentralization and power devolution to grassroots levels. Despite the growing calls for reform, no formal decision has been made, and there is disagreement within the ruling coalition about the approach and timing of such reforms.
The effectiveness of creating smaller provinces in improving governance remains debated, with some arguing that empowered local governments are crucial for effective service delivery, regardless of the number of provinces. Critics point out that smaller provinces alone are not a solution if local governments are not empowered. Former Finance Minister and economist Miftah Ismail cautions that creating new provinces without empowering local governments would not solve the problem.
Supporters of the proposal contend that Pakistan's existing provinces have become too large and centralized, hindering efficient service delivery. Empowered local governments are seen as a better way to ensure responsiveness to citizens' needs. Both proponents and detractors of the idea acknowledge that any changes to the administrative structure could impact political representation and the distribution of resources.
The debate also raises concerns about potential challenges in dividing resources, such as finances, water, and jobs, as well as the risk of exacerbating ethnic tensions in the process.
Written by urgent.news from DW English (Top Stories)'s reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
