Demand for new provinces

Outline

1. Introduction

Creation of more provinces in Pakistan, particularly in the Punjab, is an old demand.

Raised many a time not only by politicians of some parts of the Province but from those in other Provinces as well apparently on the plea that it enjoys undue influence in the Federation due to its bigger size, population and vast resources.

Even before separation of East Pakistan, there were suggestions to carve out at least one more province out of the Punjab.

Most of the parties are in favour of new provinces.

2. Reasons of this demand:

Punjab with more than half of the majority in the National Assembly plays the dominant role in the formation of government.

The renaming of the NWFP as Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa. According to 1998 census the population of the Province was 17.7 million and

today it is around 20 million, of which more than 30% are non-Pushto speaking and their views cannot be ignored.

Protests in Hazara division. Demand from the Potohar region and from some segments of interior Sindh

and Balochistan. People have started talking about their own provinces so that they could also

get their due identity and rights. After the 2008 elections, MNAs from South Punjab, irrespective of their party

affiliations, unanimously raised their concerns alleging that this part of the Punjab was somewhat neglected and kept underdeveloped by successive regimes.

Due to ethnic Differences Linguistic basis Administrative reasons

3. Major political parties in its favour:

PPP, PML-Q, PML-N

4. ANP is against it.

demand for new provinces unconstitutional

5. Reasons given by those who are in favour: We should have learned lesson from our so called strategic partner USA, our

brother China and our enemy India.

Empowerment at the local level is the key for the survival of super powers and world economies.

The idea of empowerment at the local level was really successful and has delivered at the door steps of karachiites during the tenure of Mayor Kamal.

In India, there are 27 provinces and 7 union territories.

Mr. Muhammad Ali Durrani, a Minister in the Musharraf regime, came up with the loud demand for restoration of Bahawalpur State as a new province.

It will open the doors of peace, progress and economic growth for Pakistan.

Address the root causes of socio-economic problems and strengthen the state of Pakistan.

Local Govt. system.

6. Suggestions about division.

Recently PM has assured the creation of Seraiki Province. One suggestion given in OBSERVERS:

i. 9 Provinces with division as follows:ii. Punjab: two more provinces be carved out one in Sairaki belt and the

other in Pothohar region stretching from Attock to Jhleum.iii. Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa: another province of Hazara people.iv. Sindh: Mehran Province with Larkana as its capital.v. Balochistan: another province may be carved out for Pakhtoons.

7. Doubts and difficulties: Would smaller, newer provinces be economically feasible?

Would not more such entities create more national discord by increasing the pressure on resources such as water and money?

Political expediency is the name of politician’s stand on new provinces. But what about other, more dispassionate, views?

If not handled properly, carving out a new province, however legitimate and just, could stoke cultural and ethnicity based rivalries.

Chance that the non-Seraiki speaking people may get marginalized in a new province.

Creating a new province would encourage other ethnic groups to demand one, opening a virtual Pandora’s box.

8. Recommendations:

Extensive brainstorming was needed beforehand.

Changing one’s ethnic outlook was not possible.

The political leadership would have to deal with southern Punjab and its populace very carefully.

All political parties should sit together and debate the issues that needed to be addressed before announcing any new province.

A national commission or committee of experts from relevant fields should be tasked to make recommendations.

Paying special attention to inter-provincial issues such as fiscal management, water distribution and the division of administrative responsibilities.

Division must be on administrative basis.

9. Conclusion