LAHORE – A growing majority of Pakistanis want the country to have more provinces, with fresh survey findings highlighting increasing public support for dividing existing administrative units to improve governance, accelerate development and bring government services closer to citizens.
The demand has gained momentum amid persistent concerns that large provincial administrations are struggling to address the needs of distant districts and smaller communities.
The Meridian National Barometer 2026, conducted by Meridian Analytics among 5,000 citizens, found that 77% of respondents support the creation of additional provinces, representing a significant 23-percentage-point increase since November 2022. Support stood at 54% in 2022 and rose to 66% in 2024 before reaching 77% in the latest survey.
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The findings underline how the debate over new provinces is increasingly linked to everyday governance concerns rather than political boundaries alone, with citizens expecting smaller administrative units to improve the delivery of essential services and ensure more balanced regional development.
South Punjab, Bahawalpur in focus
The demand for new provinces has remained a prominent issue in Pakistan's political landscape, particularly in Punjab, where calls for separate South Punjab and Bahawalpur provinces have repeatedly surfaced.
Supporters of a South Punjab province argue that a separate administrative structure would give the region greater attention in development planning, budget allocation and public service delivery. The region comprises several districts, including Multan, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rahim Yar Khan and Muzaffargarh.
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The Bahawalpur province demand also has a distinct historical background, with advocates seeking restoration of the former Bahawalpur state's provincial status. Both proposals have featured in political manifestos, parliamentary discussions and electoral campaigns, although disagreements over boundaries, administrative arrangements and political consensus have prevented their implementation.
Hazara and Potohar
Similar demands have emerged elsewhere. The Hazara region in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has witnessed calls for a separate province, while proposals for a Karachi province have periodically reignited debate in Sindh. Suggestions for a Pothohar province, covering parts of northern Punjab, have also featured in discussions about administrative restructuring.
Support across Pakistan
The Meridian survey found substantial backing for additional provinces in all four existing provinces, indicating that the demand is not restricted to a particular region.
Sindh recorded the highest support at 80%, followed by Punjab at 78%, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at 75% and Balochistan at 72%. Karachi stood out with 92% support, one of the strongest figures highlighted in the survey.
The findings also suggest that public backing extends beyond the general idea of creating additional provinces. Overall, 73% of respondents supported their own district becoming part of a new province, reflecting interest in administrative changes that could directly affect their communities.
Why citizens demand new provinces?
Dissatisfaction with the performance of provincial administrations emerged as a major factor behind the growing support. Around 82% of respondents said existing provincial governments were not adequately addressing their districts' development needs.
The expected improvements in public services were particularly significant. Some 83% believed additional provinces would reduce the time required to travel to government offices, while 79% expected increased funding for district development.
Meanwhile, 77% anticipated better police responsiveness, suggesting that citizens also associate smaller administrative structures with improved access to law enforcement and public security.
Support was also widespread across age groups and residential backgrounds. The survey recorded 83% backing among people aged 18 to 29, 82% among those aged 30 to 44 and 72% among respondents aged 45 to 64. Support stood at 76% among urban residents and 68% among rural residents.
Conducted between October 12 and November 4, 2026, the survey covered 5,000 adults aged 18 to 64, including 1,200 respondents in Sindh, 2,000 in Punjab, 1,000 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 800 in Balochistan.
Under Article 239(4) of Pakistan's Constitution, a constitutional amendment altering the limits of a province cannot be presented to the President for assent unless it has been passed by the provincial assembly of the affected province with at least two-thirds of its total membership.