Demand for New Provinces and Administrative Units Gains Momentum Across Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Calls for the creation of new provinces and administrative units are gaining momentum in different parts of Pakistan, with farmers, traders and other sections of society arguing that administrative restructuring is necessary for better governance, sustainable development and improved public services.

The demand has particularly gained attention in areas where residents complain of difficulties in accessing government institutions and addressing local issues from distant provincial capitals.

Speaking at a press conference in Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan Kissan Ittehad President Khalid Mahmood Khokhar strongly supported the creation of new provinces.

Khokhar said farmers in Rahim Yar Khan often had to travel to Lahore to seek justice, access education-related services and resolve administrative problems.

He described the existing system as ineffective and called for the creation of at least six to 10 provinces in Punjab to improve governance and bring administration closer to the people.

According to Khokhar, southern Punjab accounts for around 35 percent of Punjab’s provincial budget share, but the region receives only about 12 percent, which he said highlighted the need for greater administrative and financial autonomy.

Citizens in Hasan Abdal have also called for the creation of new provinces, saying administrative restructuring could improve governance, facilitate the resolution of public problems and ensure better provision of basic services.

Speakers at gatherings supporting the proposal argued that smaller administrative units could make government institutions more accessible to citizens and improve accountability.

The speakers said the creation of new provinces had become increasingly important for Pakistan’s long-term stability and for ensuring more equal development opportunities across different regions.

They argued that large provinces with widely dispersed populations can create administrative challenges and make it difficult for governments to respond effectively to local needs.

According to the speakers, smaller provinces could improve planning, resource distribution and access to public services.

Alongside the creation of new provinces, speakers called for a strong and empowered local government system.

They said provincial restructuring alone would not be enough to improve governance unless local governments were also given greater authority, financial resources and administrative powers.

The demand for new provinces and administrative units has remained a longstanding political issue in Pakistan, with proponents arguing that decentralisation could bring decision-making closer to citizens and promote more balanced regional development.

The latest calls indicate that the debate over administrative restructuring continues to gain public attention in several parts of the country.