Debate Over New Provinces Intensifies, Experts Urge Governance Reform

The subject of creating new provinces in Pakistan has returned to public discourse following Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi's recent assertions about the country's governance challenges. Naqvi described the current administrative setup as having "collapsed", suggesting the formation of new provinces or administrative units as a potential solution. He reiterated that establishing new administrative structures will eventually be necessary.

Observers note, however, that Pakistan's systemic issues—including weak governance, poor public services, over-centralisation, and fiscal constraints—may not stem from the number of provinces. Instead, there is concern that increasing provinces could reproduce existing administrative inefficiencies on a smaller scale, while also increasing political and fiscal costs.

Regional grievances are acknowledged, such as development concerns in Southern Punjab, administrative challenges due to Balochistan's size, and infrastructure deficits in Karachi. However, critics argue these issues highlight deficient governance and devolution, not a direct need for more provinces.

The process of establishing a new province is constitutionally complex, requiring significant political consensus. Article 239 of the Constitution calls for a two-thirds majority in both houses of parliament and in the affected provincial assembly. Further, the Sindh Assembly has unanimously passed a resolution rejecting any move to alter the province's boundaries.

Past experiences, particularly following the 18th Amendment, have shown that devolution efforts have not been fully implemented, with both federal and provincial governments maintaining overlapping responsibilities. Experts advocate for focusing on meaningful devolution, streamlining government functions, improving accountability, and strengthening institutions rather than expanding provincial structures.

The debate around new provinces is ongoing, but many experts believe reform should prioritise professionalising governance, ensuring effective devolution, and enhancing democratic accountability. Redrawing provincial boundaries, they warn, may complicate existing issues instead of resolving them.