ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Experts and policymakers have called for the creation of additional administrative units in Pakistan to improve governance, strengthen service delivery and address public grievances more effectively.
The views were expressed at a national debate organised by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) on the question of whether new administrative units should be established in the country.
Prominent speakers, experts and representatives from various sectors participated in the discussion.
Mian Amer Mahmood
Punjab Group Chairman Mian Amer Mahmood said he had no political agenda regarding the formation of new administrative units, emphasizing that Pakistan was built around its people and every region should serve their welfare and interests.
He said Punjab was the country’s largest province and received greater resources under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award because of its size.
Despite implementation of the NFC Award, he noted, Punjab continued to face criticism over resource distribution.
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He said that the public could hold politicians accountable more effectively than institutions and called for a serious national debate on administrative structures, equitable distribution of resources and the devolution of powers to the grassroots level.
He stressed that the objective was not division but public welfare.
He said the creation of new administrative units or provinces could particularly benefit Balochistan, followed by Sindh.
Participants agreed that any move to establish new provinces or administrative units must be accompanied by a strong local government system, devolution of authority and fair resource distribution.
Zahoor Dhareeja
Speaking at a discussion, renowned intellectual Zahoor Dhareeja said a commission had also been formed during General Zia-ul-Haq’s regime to consider the creation of new provinces.
He said the Constitution provided a mechanism under which a new province could be established after approval from the National Assembly and the relevant provincial assembly. However, General Zia-ul-Haq later made the process of creating new provinces more difficult.
Participants in the discussion said a strong local government system was essential for addressing public problems quickly and effectively. They stressed that without devolving powers to the grassroots level, it would be difficult to provide basic services or improve governance.
They also called for serious consideration of creating additional administrative units to improve governance and make administrative affairs more efficient.
Danial Chaudhry
Federal Parliamentary Secretary Danial Chaudhry said people needed practical solutions to their basic problems rather than linguistic or political slogans.
“Poor people need solutions to their problems. A hungry person cannot eat Punjabi or any other language instead of having dinner at night,” he said.
He said employment, education, healthcare and other basic facilities were the people’s fundamental needs. Therefore, discussions on administrative matters should also remain focused on resolving public issues.
Khaqan Najeeb
Economist Khaqan Najeeb said Pakistan’s problems were not merely financial and that reforms were needed at the higher levels of government.
He said greater devolution of powers to the grassroots level could facilitate citizens and make the system of governance more effective.
Farrukh Saleem
Economist Farrukh Saleem said Pakistan’s main problem was not taxation but the way government expenditures were managed.
He stressed the need for more effective use of resources and reforms in government spending.
Saleem said Pakistan was moving from four provinces towards 33 administrative units, but the issue should not be viewed simply as increasing the number of provinces.
He said the focus should also be on the services provided to citizens, administrative efficiency and equitable distribution of resources.
Muhammad Malick
Journalist and anchorperson Muhammad Malick said the key question was how Pakistan could overcome its existing challenges.
He said smaller administrative units could increase public participation and make it easier for citizens to access government institutions.
Malick stressed that the creation of new administrative units should not merely be about dividing territories but should aim to improve administrative efficiency and increase public participation.
He added that there might be no need to completely redesign the administrative structure, as existing arrangements could be used more effectively to provide better services to citizens.