President Zardari’s announcement regarding creation of Seraiki Province has stirred a new debate throughout the country.

While provinces are the administrative units within a country, these are to ensure better governance and to ensure provision of state services to every Tom, Dick and Harry.

With the rapid growth in population, provinces in Pakistan are increasingly failing to administer its subjects. In 1972, population of Pakistan was 65 million and there were four provinces. Now total population of Pakistan is over 180 million and still we have the same number of provinces. Most of the grievances of the people that could be addressed well, had there be better governance and speedy redressal, became aggravated because of the slow process in governmental works. This is where need for new provinces is felt the most.

But this serious issue of dividing administrative units should be dealt with a sound political acumen. At the same time, there should be proper criteria for the creation of new provinces that is duly approved by both houses of the parliament and afterwards by president. This criterion should define broad grounds and conditions under which the question of new provinces can be considered. This criteria should include, but not limited to, following points; 1. Referendum to determine the aspirations of the people of the proposed province. 2. Population of the parent province 3. Development infrastructure of the proposed province i.e literacy rate, basic health facilities, availability of civic amenities etc. 4. Demarcation of provincial boundaries should be done as to ensure equity in the division of infrastructure and resources between the parent and proposed provinces.

Unfortunately, the present announcement of the President seems to be another facet of political point scoring where ‘Linguistic Issue’ is being highlighted as the prime motive behind the creation of a new province. Pakistanis should fear that this could spread an unprecedented hue and cry throughout the country as other linguistic groups would also be demanding for new provinces in the name of their particular language.

Last but not the least, Pakistanis can expect a political acumen and prudence on the part of government that it would come up with a definite criteria for making new provinces after taking into confidence all stakeholders.

Engr. Arslan Shaukat
Multan