A new map does not automatically produce a new political culture.

The debate should consequently move beyond the binary question of whether Pakistan should have more provinces. The more useful question is what kind of governance those provinces or administrative units would provide.

If the objective is administrative efficiency, the performance of districts, divisions and local governments should be examined. If the objective is greater political representation, mechanisms of representation at every level should be strengthened. If the objective is economic development, the fiscal viability of proposed units should be established. If the objective is to address regional grievances, meaningful political and constitutional guarantees should be considered.

Most importantly, the debate should not be allowed to become an unnecessary contest of regional or linguistic identities. Administrative restructuring can be a legitimate policy question, but it can also become politically divisive if it is presented as a struggle for territorial or institutional dominance.

Pakistan’s constitutional experience also cautions against attributing every institutional crisis to a single political party, government or individual.........

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