By: Dr. Masood Tariq
Date: September 1, 2025
Introduction
Pakistan is a federation of nations: Punjabi, Sindhi, Baloch, and Pashtun. It must always be remembered that Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and the Pashtun lands created Pakistan — Pakistan did not create them. The historical existence and cultural depth of these nations predate the state itself, and any federal arrangement must respect their integrity.
Linguistic Concentrations
Pakistan’s diversity is reflected not only in its historic nations but also in its many linguistic communities. Some groups are concentrated in specific divisions:
1. The Urdu-speaking community is primarily concentrated in Karachi.
2. The Hindko-speaking community forms a majority in Hazara division.
3. The Brahui-speaking community is clustered in central Balochistan.
4. The Derawali-speaking community is spread across Dera Ismail Khan (KP) and Dera Ghazi Khan (Punjab).
By contrast, the larger ethnic nations are more widely dispersed across the country:
1. The Sindhi nation holds a majority only in rural Sindh.
2. The Baloch nation has majorities in Balochistan, rural Sindh, and South Punjab.
3. The Pashtun nation dominates Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but is also present in Balochistan, North Punjab, and Karachi.
4. The Punjabi nation holds majorities in Central, South, and North Punjab, but is also spread into KP, Balochistan, rural Sindh, and Karachi.
This wide dispersal means that ethnic nations cannot be neatly contained within new provinces. Any attempt to redraw boundaries would inevitably divide them across multiple units, creating fresh minority–majority conflicts.
Why Division of Provinces is Dangerous
The demand for new provinces is often presented as a cure for administrative inefficiency and political imbalance. Yet, the creation of additional provinces would not resolve these problems. On the contrary, it would intensify them by:
1. Fueling new regional nationalisms and hardening ethnic demands.
2. Fragmenting languages and cultures geographically while sharpening ethnic consciousness.
3. Creating new arenas of confrontation among Punjabis, Sindhis, Baloch, and Pashtuns within smaller, contested territories.
Pakistan has carried the burden of cultural and ethnic clashes since its inception. More provinces would not ease these tensions — they would multiply them.
The Real Solution: Delegation of Power
Provinces already have established administrative structures: divisions, districts, tehsils, and union councils. Instead of carving new provinces, Pakistan should strengthen these existing units through meaningful devolution of power.
1. At the federal level, the Prime Minister should focus on national affairs.
2. At the provincial level, Chief Ministers should manage provincial governance.
3. At the divisional level, newly created Divisional Chairmen should be directly empowered to address local issues.
This framework would bring governance closer to the people, enhance accountability, and improve service delivery. Most importantly, it would do so without undermining national unity or fueling ethnic fragmentation.
Conclusion
The creation of new provinces may appear to be a convenient solution, but in reality, it carries grave risks for Pakistan’s cohesion and stability.
The wiser and more sustainable path is to devolve authority within the existing provinces, ensuring that power reaches local levels while respecting the historic nations that gave birth to Pakistan.
Pakistan does not need more provinces. It needs stronger provinces with empowered local governments.
Date: September 1, 2025
Introduction
Pakistan is a federation of nations: Punjabi, Sindhi, Baloch, and Pashtun. It must always be remembered that Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and the Pashtun lands created Pakistan — Pakistan did not create them. The historical existence and cultural depth of these nations predate the state itself, and any federal arrangement must respect their integrity.
Linguistic Concentrations
Pakistan’s diversity is reflected not only in its historic nations but also in its many linguistic communities. Some groups are concentrated in specific divisions:
1. The Urdu-speaking community is primarily concentrated in Karachi.
2. The Hindko-speaking community forms a majority in Hazara division.
3. The Brahui-speaking community is clustered in central Balochistan.
4. The Derawali-speaking community is spread across Dera Ismail Khan (KP) and Dera Ghazi Khan (Punjab).
By contrast, the larger ethnic nations are more widely dispersed across the country:
1. The Sindhi nation holds a majority only in rural Sindh.
2. The Baloch nation has majorities in Balochistan, rural Sindh, and South Punjab.
3. The Pashtun nation dominates Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but is also present in Balochistan, North Punjab, and Karachi.
4. The Punjabi nation holds majorities in Central, South, and North Punjab, but is also spread into KP, Balochistan, rural Sindh, and Karachi.
This wide dispersal means that ethnic nations cannot be neatly contained within new provinces. Any attempt to redraw boundaries would inevitably divide them across multiple units, creating fresh minority–majority conflicts.
Why Division of Provinces is Dangerous
The demand for new provinces is often presented as a cure for administrative inefficiency and political imbalance. Yet, the creation of additional provinces would not resolve these problems. On the contrary, it would intensify them by:
1. Fueling new regional nationalisms and hardening ethnic demands.
2. Fragmenting languages and cultures geographically while sharpening ethnic consciousness.
3. Creating new arenas of confrontation among Punjabis, Sindhis, Baloch, and Pashtuns within smaller, contested territories.
Pakistan has carried the burden of cultural and ethnic clashes since its inception. More provinces would not ease these tensions — they would multiply them.
The Real Solution: Delegation of Power
Provinces already have established administrative structures: divisions, districts, tehsils, and union councils. Instead of carving new provinces, Pakistan should strengthen these existing units through meaningful devolution of power.
1. At the federal level, the Prime Minister should focus on national affairs.
2. At the provincial level, Chief Ministers should manage provincial governance.
3. At the divisional level, newly created Divisional Chairmen should be directly empowered to address local issues.
This framework would bring governance closer to the people, enhance accountability, and improve service delivery. Most importantly, it would do so without undermining national unity or fueling ethnic fragmentation.
Conclusion
The creation of new provinces may appear to be a convenient solution, but in reality, it carries grave risks for Pakistan’s cohesion and stability.
The wiser and more sustainable path is to devolve authority within the existing provinces, ensuring that power reaches local levels while respecting the historic nations that gave birth to Pakistan.
Pakistan does not need more provinces. It needs stronger provinces with empowered local governments.
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