The debate over creating new provinces in Pakistan has been ongoing for decades. At times, the demand has come from South Punjab, at others from Karachi or Hazara Division. Proponents highlight several public benefits, yet the pressing question remains: In a country like Pakistan where nearly all provinces share borders with neighboring states could the creation of new provinces pose a threat to national security?
Pakistan is surrounded by sensitive borders on all sides. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan share boundaries with Afghanistan and Iran, Sindh and Punjab with India, while Gilgit Baltistan borders both China and India. In such a context, further division of these regions into smaller provinces raises serious concerns.
Pressure on National Security
Smaller provinces located near borders would be more vulnerable. Hostile states could exploit local grievances or linguistic divides to fuel separatist movements. This is a risk that cannot be overlooked.
Weakening of National Unity
Granting separate provincial identities may strengthen regionalism at the cost of national cohesion. Instead of nurturing a collective national outlook, local identities could dominate the political landscape.
Foreign Policy and Defense Matters
Border management is a federal responsibility. However, if provinces gain greater autonomy, such sensitive issues might fall prey to provincial politics something that could complicate Pakistan’s foreign and defense strategies.
Resources and Smuggling Concerns
Border regions are often rich in natural resources. The creation of new provinces could intensify disputes over resource distribution. At the same time, increased external influence and the risk of smuggling may further challenge governance.
These concerns highlight that while new provinces may bring administrative and representational benefits, the implications for national security and unity are far more complex.
Potential Public Benefits
Despite these risks, there are undeniable benefits that new provinces or a strong local government system could bring to ordinary citizens:
Improved Governance: Smaller administrative units allow governments to stay closer to the people, ensuring faster responses to local problems.
Fair Distribution of Resources: Marginalized areas within large provinces often remain neglected. With new provinces or empowered local governments, resources could be spent directly at the community level.
Political Participation and Employment: Decentralization enhances representation, creating more opportunities for political inclusion and local employment, thereby boosting regional economies.
The Real Question
It is undeniable that new provinces could enhance governance and representation. Yet in Pakistan’s sensitive geopolitical environment, the security, unity, and defense dimensions cannot be ignored.
The real question is whether our political leadership will continue to use the idea of new provinces as an electoral slogan or whether it will adopt a comprehensive strategy that genuinely empowers local governments.
Punjab’s new Local Government Act does provide a framework for decentralization. But the outcome depends entirely on whether power is genuinely transferred to the grassroots. If the reform remains politically symbolic, public grievances will only deepen.
Local government is the true foundation of democracy. Whenever it has been strengthened, citizens have benefitted; whenever it has been weakened, deprivation has grown. What Pakistan needs is not token reforms but a sincere commitment to empowering its people at the local level.
By: Asif Iqbal
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