In the past few weeks, the chatter around redrawing Pakistan’s provincial map has returned, as it tends to do in fits and starts depending on the political season. Once again, the calls for new provinces are cloaked in the language of reform, development and inclusion. But beneath that surface lies the familiar story: political convenience, structural inertia and selective outrage.

From South Punjab to urban Sindh, the demands echo the same themes — historical neglect, under-representation and a desire for administrative autonomy. The argument is that smaller administrative units will bring government closer to the people, improve services and fix historical imbalances. In theory, it’s the kind of reform any democracy would welcome. But theory and reality often part ways in Pakistan.

Take Punjab, for example. With its population outweighing the rest of the country’s, it has long been the elephant in the federal room. Smaller provinces have for decades accused Punjab of monopolising power and resources. The idea of carving it into smaller pieces has surfaced time and again, only to vanish once the electioneering dust settles.

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Because for all the talk of governance, efficiency and federal balance, the proposal to split Punjab — or any other province — rarely travels........

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