New Delhi | December 09, 2025

Pakistan is once again debating the idea of dividing its provinces, decades after the country last experienced a major territorial split in 1971. This time, the division being discussed is administrative, not geographic, but it has stirred strong political reactions and renewed concerns among experts. The debate resurfaced after Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan declared that creating smaller provinces is now “inevitable” and necessary for better governance.

Khan said the government believes smaller provinces would help deliver services more efficiently, adding that new administrative boundaries could restore order in regions where tensions are rising. His comments come at a time when the federal government, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and backed by Pakistan’s military establishment, is facing growing pressure from provinces such as Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. These regions have long-standing grievances, ranging from neglect to demands for greater autonomy, and recent unrest has heightened concerns in Islamabad.

Reports suggest that the central government is even considering imposing Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa because of rising Pashtun nationalist sentiment. Meanwhile, political discussions and seminars on restructuring have increased in recent months, indicating that the idea of carving out several new provinces is no longer just theoretical. According to Khan, the plan includes creating three provinces each from Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He argued that neighbouring countries already operate with smaller administrative units and Pakistan should do the same.

The proposal, however, is far from universally supported. The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), a major partner in the ruling coalition, has repeatedly opposed dividing Sindh. In November, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said the party would not accept any attempt to split the province. Even though the idea has support from parties like the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) and the MQM-P, similar plans in the past have all failed to move beyond discussion.

Experts caution that creating new provinces may create more problems than it solves. Former senior bureaucrat Syed Akhtar Ali Shah said Pakistan’s real issue is not the number of provinces but weak governance. He explained that institutions lack capacity, law enforcement is uneven, and accountability systems are flawed. Without addressing these structural weaknesses, simply adding more provinces could worsen inequality and lead to administrative confusion.

Shah also noted that past experiments—from the two-province model under Ayub Khan to later systems—did not improve stability and often deepened public grievances. He argued that the focus must shift toward strengthening local governance instead of redrawing maps.

Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, president of the think tank PILDAT, agreed that restructuring alone will not fix Pakistan’s problems. He said that earlier attempts to change administrative boundaries only intensified tensions rather than easing them. Creating new provinces, he warned, would be expensive, politically sensitive, and logistically demanding. Mehboob stressed that meaningful devolution of power to local bodies is far more important than creating new provinces.

Analysts believe that Pakistan’s rush toward administrative restructuring stems from political pressure rather than long-term planning. While supporters think smaller provinces will give communities a stronger voice, critics argue that the proposal distracts from deeper, unresolved issues such as corruption, poor governance, regional inequality, and weak state institutions.

As discussions continue and political parties take sides, the plan remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that Pakistan faces far more fundamental challenges than the drawing of new boundaries. Experts warn that without structural reforms, the country’s problems may only grow, no matter how many provinces are created.

 After decades, Pakistan to be divided again; more harm than good, say experts

Pakistan is once again debating a major change — the creation of several new provinces. For many, the word “division” instantly brings back memories of 1971, when Pakistan split and East Pakistan became Bangladesh. But this time, the discussion is about administrative division, not territorial loss.

Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan recently said that forming smaller provinces is now “certain”, claiming it would improve governance and public services. He even suggested that Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa could each be split into three provinces, arguing that smaller units work better.

But experts aren’t convinced. They warn that simply creating more provinces won’t fix Pakistan’s deeper issues. Former top bureaucrat Syed Akhtar Ali Shah pointed out that Pakistan has tried many governance models in the past, yet problems like weak institutions, uneven law enforcement, and poor accountability still persist. Without fixing these, adding more provinces could actually make inequalities worse.

Think tanks echo the same concerns. Ahmed Bilal Mehboob of Pildat noted that past restructuring experiments only increased tensions. He believes the real solution lies in giving more power to local governments rather than carving out new provinces.

This debate is heating up at a time when Pakistan is already dealing with rising nationalist feelings in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Some coalition partners of PM Shehbaz Sharif support the plan, but others — especially the PPP in Sindh — strongly oppose it and refuse to let their province be split.

While the proposal is gaining political momentum, many fear it will create more confusion and conflict if core governance problems aren’t addressed first.