Sirajuddin Aziz
The origin of the recent intense debate on creating new administrative units in Pakistan stems from growing population pressure, massive wealth gaps between central and far-away regions, and demands for local power. As one of the world’s largest federations, Pakistan still relies on four massive historical provinces.
This setup makes it very hard to manage public services effectively. Political leaders and experts with different ideas on the subject are involved in evaluating whether redrawing provincial boundaries can improve governance standards and public service delivery in Pakistan. The conversation has intensified following recent proposals by members of the federal cabinet to brainstorm the creation of 12 to 16 smaller administrative units out of existing large provinces. This has generated a substantial national discussion on how the country should be governed.
Presently, oversized provinces have increasingly distanced government from the people, resulting in slow decision-making, weak service delivery, uneven development, inadequate education and healthcare, overstretched policing, poor infrastructure, bureaucratic inefficiency, and limited accountability of elected representatives. As administrative centres become more remote, peripheral regions often remain underrepresented, under-resourced and underdeveloped, while economic opportunities continue to concentrate in a few major cities, driving migration and widening regional disparities.
Creating smaller administrative units brings governance directly to the citizens, allowing for faster and more responsive decision-making. By breaking down large regions, local leaders can deliver better public services and strengthen accountability. This shift ensures balanced regional development, as far-away districts are no longer ignored in favour of big capitals. Furthermore, tailored local focus helps generate jobs, attract new investments, and unlock the unique economic potential of every community.
Ultimately, smaller units guarantee that every region receives the specific attention it needs to thrive, transforming how public services are managed across the country. Creating smaller administrative units is the most effective way to fix broken public services and bring government closer to the people. When provinces are too massive, rulers sitting in far-away capital cities often ignore distant towns. This creates a giant wealth gap where only a few big cities get all the development funds, schools, and hospitals.State & Local Government
Breaking these giant areas into smaller zones solves this problem by ensuring fair resource sharing. Local leaders can make faster, more responsive decisions because they actually live among the communities they serve. Furthermore, smaller units give a powerful voice to distinct cultural and regional groups that feel completely left out by the majority.
This strengthens national unity because everyone feels included. From an economic standpoint, smaller regions focus heavily on their own unique needs and potential. They can create local jobs, build better roads, and attract business investments that fit their specific area. Instead of wasting money on a distant, slow bureaucracy, smaller units create clear accountability.
Citizens can easily see where their taxes are going. Ultimately, redrawing boundaries is not about dividing a country, but about building a stronger federation where every single region receives the focused attention it deserves to thrive. Distorting the urgent need for smaller administrative units into an ethnic conflict is a reckless political tactic that actively harms the whole process of improving the governance system of Pakistan. Selfish political groups exploit local language and tribal identities to create fear, turning a simple administrative solution into an “us versus them” battle. This deceptive strategy completely derails the real conversation about fixing public schools, hospitals, and local infrastructure. By turning citizens against each other over borders, certain quarters try to protect their own power at the expense of national unity. Administrative reforms should focus on efficient governance and fair resource sharing, not on fuel-stoking ethnic rivalries.
Ultimately, Pakistan must prioritise a public-centric approach by exploring innovative governance models that put citizens first. Whether through smaller administrative units or empowered local governments, the focus must shift from political games to efficient service delivery. Only by prioritising the needs of ordinary people can the federation achieve lasting stability and fair growth.
The writer is a freelance columnist.
