Distribution of new provinces, change of administrative structure is necessary

94 News columnist. Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri Comrade Lahore
Currently, no new province has been officially created in Pakistan. However, for administrative improvement and better governance, Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were divided to create new provinces in the country. 12 From 18 Discussions and proposals to create new provinces or more are in circulation. Pakistan currently has four provinces, the federal capital and the semi-autonomous units of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir. In recent months there have been suggestions from political circles that the large provinces of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should be divided into smaller provinces on administrative grounds. So that fair distribution of resources and development can be possible. Punjab according to the suggestions and maps circulating on social media 4 6 to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan 3 From 4 While to Sindh 3 or views of dividing into more parts are being given. The social media cell of Tehreek-e-Insaf, Imran Khan's vloggers have created an uproar and uproar regarding the new provinces. It should be noted that the establishment of new provinces requires a two-thirds majority in the parliament and a long political and public consultation. So far, nothing like this is being seen at the government level. However, it is certain that the four provinces 24 It is considered insufficient for crores of Pakistani people. Remember that Punjab is the only province where 2012 The resolution to make South Punjab and Bahawalpur a province has been approved. Based information circulating on social media 32 New provinces and 33 Proposals for creating high courts are being heard. In the last six years, the population of Pakistan has increased by about three and a half million people. According to a conservative estimate, this increase 16 The percentage is Pakistan still 8 Administrative units and 64 Consists of districts. 2023 Population of the country 24 Crore 10 It had exceeded one lakh. While the average population density is approx 260 People per square kilometer. According to statistical agencies 6 Over the years nearly half of the population of Pakistan 3 Millions of people have increased. of this population 61 percent in rural areas 39 A percentage live in cities like Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi. Baluchistan of the total area of ​​Pakistan 48 Percentage share. But only in this province of the country 11 12% of the population is inhabited. Balochistan has the weakest infrastructure in the country. of this province 60 percent areas are deprived of clean water. The problem in this province is not the lack of funds but the lack of administrative capacity to run it. Balochistan is rich in gas and mineral resources. Which plays an important role in filling the federal treasury. Balochistan's deprivations, Sindh's financial security, increasing burden on Karachi and Lahore are different forms of the same crisis. According to one report, administrative improvements by powerful constituencies, for equitable distribution of resources 32 A detailed outline and presentation of creating new provinces has been prepared. According to this proposal, the country as a whole 33 will be divided into administrative units. In which Islamabad will remain as the federal capital. While the divisions of the four provinces will be given the status of provinces. In the country after the new distribution under the proposed plan 33 High Courts will be established. In which a total of 137 judges will perform duties. According to government documents, this significant administrative change will cost the national exchequer annually 318 Savings of billions of rupees have been estimated. Current of Judiciary 56 Budget of billion rupees reduced 24 Billion will remain Rs. Including finance in the new system 40 More than departments will be completely transferred to the provinces. The total number of members of National and Provincial Assembly will be divided among their smaller Provincial Assemblies in proportion to the population. The new Chief Ministers will end the monopoly of certain political families. And new political leadership will emerge at the local level. By creating smaller administrative units, resources will reach lower levels. As a result of which governance will be better. But the structure of this new structure will require a heavy amendment of the constitution. In this regard, a broad consensus will have to be created at the national level. It should be noted that the provision of the Constitution 239 Sub-clause of (4) Provides complete guidance on establishing new provinces. The issue of establishment of new provinces, change in the boundaries of the existing province is subject to a clear and strict legal procedure under the Constitution of Pakistan. The approval of both the relevant provincial assembly and the parliament is indispensable for the division of any province or changes in the boundaries. This approval shall not be given by a simple majority but by at least two-thirds majority of the total members of the Assembly. The constitutional amendment bill must also be approved by the parliament. Since the change in the boundaries of the province is possible only through constitutional amendment. A two-thirds majority is required for constitutional amendment. The purpose of the constitutional process is to protect the rights of federal units and ensure provincial autonomy. It should be clear that 2018 In 25 Tribal Areas through the 1st Constitutional Amendment (Fata) was merged into the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. All constitutional and legal requirements for this amendment were fulfilled. The issue of establishing new administrative units or provinces in Pakistan is not new, but this issue has been discussed in the past as well. After the statement of Federal Minister Mohsin Naqvi, this matter is in the public domain once again. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi while addressing an event in Islamabad said that the system we are living under. He has failed. As long as this system is maintained. The conditions of the country will not improve. There are opinions in some political circles that each province of Pakistan should be divided into three parts on administrative basis. Because citizens have to travel hundreds of kilometers to the provincial capitals for official work. With the formation of these new administrative units, people's problems can be solved at their doorsteps. Minister of State for Law and Justice, Barrister Aqeel Malik, also said that of Punjab 4 From 5, 3 to 4 of Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 3 And Balochistan which is the largest province in terms of area. More provinces should be created in this too. All four provinces in a map that has gone viral on social media 18 The division into various administrative units, small provinces is shown. However, this map has not been confirmed by any government official. Few other political parties including PML-N support Hazara province in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. But Awami National Party is strongly opposed to this proposal. Federal Minister Khawaja Asif says that it should not be based on linguistics but keeping national interest in mind. Karachi and Gwadar should also be brought under federation. The question is whether this new formula will correct the basic evils of the system. On the other hand, PPP leader Qasim Gilani said that we 21 They are trying to run the country in the 19th century with a system that was developed in the 19th century. Several senior journalists, including Vasatullah Khan, have suggested that the process of creating new provinces should be started from South Punjab province. But the people of South Punjab themselves do not want this. Political analysts say that the provinces are already suffering from crisis. At such a time, creating new provinces will increase instability. This opinion is very important because the real problem is good governance. If the powers are transferred to the local governments, everything can be better. It should be noted that currently no political party has a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly, Senate and Provincial Assemblies. All the political parties have to sit together and create a consensus on this issue. This question is of great importance whether new provinces should be formed in Pakistan. Once again the talk of new provinces is gaining momentum. Demands have been coming from different areas that new provinces should be established by dividing the four provinces on administrative basis. Here too, the question arises whether the problems of the people will be solved by forming new provinces. Many sensitive Pakistani citizens are of the opinion that even in the new province, all powers are limited to one city. Government institutions will remain weak in the same way. Local governments were not empowered. So the benefits of the new provinces will not reach the common citizens. Therefore, the discussion of new provinces should not be limited to just changing the map. For this, there is a need to further improve the current management system. The issue of creating new provinces should not be a political gimmick or just a political promise. Rather, ASCO should take a wise decision considering it a very serious management issue. Along with new provinces, a strong local government system is also needed. The formation of new provinces is not at the will of any political party or specific personality. Rather, it should be under a clear national policy. Therefore, uniform rules are necessary in the case of new provinces. All decisions should be made transparently. Hatred, bigotry and linguistic politics should not be allowed in this whole process. The solution to every problem is not just a new province. Administrative structure should be changed according to public needs. After the creation of new provinces, if conflicts arise over the issue of resources, new problems may arise instead of benefits. Therefore, before creating a province, it is important to create a clear and acceptable system of resource allocation. The number of new provinces is not a guarantee of the development of a country. The discussion of new provinces should also be seen under the national interest instead of sentimentality. The discussion of new provinces should be seen as a public need rather than a political slogan. Assembly members of all political parties can gather within a few moments for the sake of their privileges and facilities, so why can't they gather on the same page for the broader national interests of the country?

Note: The organization does not have to agree with the columnist.