LAHORE (Dunya News) – Punjab Group Chairman Mian Amer Mahmood has said that the Constitution is not being fully implemented. Provinces collectively form the federation, and countries are run by government policies, adding that every division should be made a province.
Speaking at a seminar organised by the representative body of Pakistan’s private universities “APSUP,” he thanked the participants and acknowledged the key role of Chaudhry Abdul Rehman in the education movement.
He stated that Pakistan is a federation of four units, similar to other federations in the world like the United States, where provinces collectively make the country rather than the country creating provinces.
Referring to India’s independence, he noted that it initially had a few provinces and 600 states, and highlighted that in countries with strong local governments, there is no need to frequently approach the federation.
Mian Amer emphasised that the federal government undertakes major responsibilities, while provinces and local governments are meant to address people’s problems.
“Governments are formed for public welfare, not for the happiness of rulers as in monarchies,” he said.
He pointed out that smaller administrative issues are resolved at the local level, and government policies determine whether a country becomes prosperous or poor.
“Every policy impacts future generations, and the real purpose of creating a country is public welfare,” he remarked, adding that true leaders will emerge from within society.
Commenting on the economy, he said Pakistan faces a deficit with higher imports and lower exports. “We must focus on what we are giving back to the state rather than what the state is giving us,” he urged.
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He also criticised poor governance in Karachi where drains remain uncleared, worsening the city’s condition during rains.
Highlighting Punjab’s size, he said it is larger than many countries with a population of 130 million alone.
He lamented that Pakistan has not seen a single year without borrowing and that local governments in Punjab and Balochistan are inconsistent—sometimes formed, sometimes dissolved.
“We have three pillars: federal, provincial, and local governments. Local governments exist to resolve issues of daily life,” he stressed.
Mian Amer Mahmood said that in provinces with functioning local governments, there is less need to rely on the federation.
“Unfortunately, we are deprived of strong local governments. The government believes that mere accession to power is democracy, whereas in past monarchies rulers prospered, not the people,” he added.
He said that every division should be made a province, and creating more provinces would not increase expenses.
Smaller provinces would help resolve problems, their governments’ work would be more visible to the public, and performance would be easier to monitor.
Mian Amer Mahmood stated that Bahawalpur, DG Khan, and Multan should be made separate provinces.
In Sindh, Karachi should be given the status of a separate province. “If Karachi is made a province, conditions will greatly improve. Karachi should have been where Dubai stands today,” he remarked.
The Punjab Group chairman said that Naseerabad, Sibi, Zhob, Qalat, Makran, and Quetta in Balochistan could be made into separate provinces.
“Balochistan has a small population but abundant natural resources. Similarly, DI Khan, Kohat, Malakand, Mardan, and Peshawar should be made provinces,” he held.
He added that the number of departments in provinces also needs to be reduced. Some departments are functional, while the rest are unnecessary. “Each province should have 16 departments; there is no need for more than 16,” he said.
Mian Amer Mahmood stated that it is not possible to run 50,000 schools in Punjab from Lahore. The Punjab government has handed over 10,000 schools to the private sector. He added that the government spends Rs4,400 on every school-going child, and although there are schools, colleges, and hospitals, they are not functioning effectively.
The Punjab Group chairman said that literacy rates in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have declined over the past 10 years, while Punjab has seen only a 5% increase. He pointed out that Pakistan ranks second in the world for the number of out-of-school children, with 36% of children not attending school. Although public schools have good facilities, their educational standards remain low, while fees at good private schools are less than government spending per child. He noted that after 2001, teacher recruitment in Punjab was based on merit, but no minister in Lahore can effectively monitor 50,000 schools.
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He added that creating smaller provinces would improve the judicial system, as the rate of punishment for theft and robbery cases is currently almost zero. Lawmakers are busy building streets instead of enforcing laws. “We are not asking for a utopia, but for a system that resolves public problems. Smaller provinces will also reduce expenses,” he said.
Mian Amer Mahmood stressed the need to remove flaws in laws, noting that in Lahore a single judge handles an average of 796 cases.
“Creating 33 provinces will give us new leadership,” he said, adding that no provincial government has implemented an effective local government system. Political leadership usually emerges from the middle class, and more provinces will create opportunities for new leaders. He emphasized that when voting for change, people must hold leaders accountable for delivering it, and speeches should be judged based on what a leader can actually do for the public.
He stated that no nation progresses through shortcuts; development comes through hard work, and democracy gives the public significant importance. “Catching or letting someone go is not our priority. Good governance benefits the people, especially youth, and priorities should not be based on provincial or linguistic lines,” he added.
Reflecting on his political career, he said he started as a councilor, became Mayor of Lahore, and saw politics so closely that he felt he should step away, having gone through its entire process.
Regarding finances, he said that after the 18th Amendment, provinces do not lack funds, and all regions should have equal development opportunities. He cited India, noting that its prime minister rose from the grassroots, and most provinces do not support separatist movements.
He added that the idea of creating smaller provinces was also discussed with Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan, and having more provinces benefits even the rulers.
On voting, he said people often vote based on emotional attachment rather than evaluating what leaders can do for them. In China, he noted, no one can become a ruler directly.
He recalled that during exile, Nawaz Sharif led a popular government, while Turkiye experienced martial law, after which a leader emerged who served the public and received full support. He said a performing leader should not be judged unfairly, and many capable individuals in political parties have never been given opportunities. Development comes from hard work, not lies.
“Best decisions in the State of Madinah were made through consultation,” he said, emphasizing that societal progress or decline is collective. He concluded that individual reform leads to societal reform, and smaller administrative systems allow better oversight.