The Pulse | Politics | South Asia

Is Pakistan’s Province Debate a Political Gimmick?

Recurring discussions of whether, and how, to create new provinces avoids a conversation about provincial autonomy. 

From time to time, the debate over creating new provinces arises in Pakistani politics. This debate receives attention in the media for a while, only to fade away after some time as if it never existed. Consequently, the airtime for proponents of new provinces disappears as well. Some view this debate as a political gimmick designed to distract the public from the real issues facing the country, while others believe that influential figures operate behind the scenes to extract concessions from those in political power by stirring up this debate. It is indeed possible for a select few to hold power while others manipulate events from the sidelines in a hybrid democracy like Pakistan, which has experienced dictatorial rule for 34 of its 79 years of existence since 1947.

The debate of dividing the existing four provinces of Pakistan and creating new provinces has resurfaced once again after a statement made by Pakistani Interior and Narcotics Control Minister Mohsin Naqvi late last month. While addressing the first Pakistan Economic Summit in Islamabad, he said:

The system we are living under has collapsed. You have been dragging this system for 70 years, and while we all want democracy, there are many forms within democracy. Problems cannot be solved through the current dispensation. If this system continues, we will still be sitting here a decade from now discussing the same issues. The only solution is to take [the matter of] administrative units, provinces or whatever you may call it, to the public.

The system we are living under has collapsed. You have been dragging this system for 70 years, and while we all want democracy, there are many forms within democracy. Problems cannot be solved through the current dispensation. If this system continues, we will still be sitting here a decade from now discussing the same issues. The only solution is to take [the matter of] administrative units, provinces or whatever you may call it, to the public.

These remarks by a minister caused an uproar across the country, with some in favor of creating new provinces and other against. The minister’s own colleagues, including Defense Minister Khawaja Asif and Prime Minister’s Advisor on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah, have not shown any particular support for the notion.

Sanaullah said the government has no plan at present regarding new provinces. He further added that different people are talking about different numbers of provinces; some suggest 12, others suggest 20, and some are even going further and suggesting 32 provinces be carved out of the current four provinces. He questioned anyone offering such suggestions without an actual plan.

Contrary to Sanaullah’s comments, Minister of State for Law and Justice Aqeel Malik confirmed the government’s intention to create new provinces. However, he said, “First, all political parties will be taken on board.”

There are political, constitutional, and legal hurdles to the creation of new provinces, which, as Dawn noted, “would have to be addressed through political consultation.” That may prove a problem for Pakistan’s current governing hybrid regime – also accused of a stolen mandate during the country’s last general elections in 2024. 

There is also speculation that the government intends to introduce constitutional amendments to bypass a provision requiring the consent of the relevant provincial assembly when a new province is carved out of an existing one. The Constitution also requires a two-thirds majority in parliament for such an amendment. Political experts have speculated that the government may opt for a referendum on the creation of new provinces. However, they point out that even this would require parliamentary approval.

There is also speculation that the government intends to introduce constitutional amendments to bypass a provision requiring the consent of the relevant provincial assembly when a new province is carved out of an existing one.

The Constitution also requires a two-thirds majority in parliament for such an amendment.

Political experts have speculated that the government may opt for a referendum on the creation of new provinces. However, they point out that even this would require parliamentary approval.

The current hybrid coalition of six political parties was given that necessary two-thirds majority by the Election Commission of Pakistan and a Supreme Court verdict last summer. The........

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