IPP demands new provinces for improved governance

The Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party has formally called for the creation of new provinces across the country, arguing that the move is essential to meet governance challenges and bring public services closer to citizens.

At a meeting chaired by IPP President and Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan, the party proposed that Pakistan’s four provinces—Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan—be divided into three administrative regions each, designated as North, South, and Central. The proposal suggests that while provinces would be reorganized administratively, their current names and identities could remain intact.

The party leadership said the proposal was aimed at addressing issues stemming from rapid population growth, inefficient service delivery, and difficulties faced by citizens in accessing provincial institutions. Abdul Aleem Khan stressed that establishing new provinces would ensure state institutions such as High Courts, Chief Secretaries, and Police Chiefs could function more effectively and in closer proximity to the people they serve. He argued that citizens are currently forced to travel long distances to provincial secretariats to access basic services, a situation the party claims could be remedied by dividing governance structures.

The meeting, attended by Minister of State Aun Chaudhry, Punjab President Rana Nazir Ahmed Khan, and other senior members, endorsed the proposal. A party communiqué confirmed that the Central Committee of IPP has already passed a resolution in favor of creating new provinces, framing the demand as a milestone for national stability, economic development, and public relief.

Abdul Aleem Khan said that the question of provincial division had been debated for over two decades but remained confined to political rhetoric. He emphasized that the time had come to move beyond discussions and build national consensus through mutual consultation. The establishment of new provinces, he argued, would meet public expectations and strengthen the country both politically and economically.

The idea of creating additional provinces has long been a contentious issue in Pakistan’s political discourse. In the past, demands have surfaced in southern Punjab for the creation of a “Seraiki province,” while voices from Hazara in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have called for a separate unit. Similar concerns have occasionally emerged in Sindh and Balochistan over perceived administrative neglect and resource distribution. Successive governments, however, have struggled to advance any constitutional amendments on the matter, with proposals often collapsing amid political opposition and competing regional interests.

Analysts note that while the creation of new provinces may improve governance efficiency, it also raises questions over resource sharing, representation in the Senate and National Assembly, and the division of assets and liabilities. Pakistan’s constitution requires a two-thirds majority in both houses of Parliament as well as approval from the concerned provincial assemblies for such changes, making political consensus a critical hurdle.

Supporters argue that decentralization would ease pressure on existing provincial capitals and allow for more balanced regional development. Critics, however, caution that introducing new provinces could deepen ethnic and linguistic divisions if not managed through a carefully negotiated framework. The debate is further complicated by fiscal concerns, as new provinces would require separate bureaucracies, judicial systems, and security administrations, all adding to public expenditure.

Despite these challenges, IPP leaders said the initiative was aimed at providing direct relief to citizens and ensuring equitable governance. They argued that reorganizing provinces would not only improve access to public services but also strengthen Pakistan’s political system by addressing grievances that have historically fueled discontent in underrepresented regions.

The party’s push comes at a time of renewed debate over federalism and administrative efficiency, with growing recognition that Pakistan’s population—now exceeding 240 million—demands stronger governance mechanisms. Whether IPP’s call translates into legislative action remains to be seen, but its resolution adds momentum to a debate that has lingered in Pakistan’s politics for over 25 years.

As Abdul Aleem Khan stressed, the IPP sees the creation of new provinces as a “national necessity” that, if achieved through consensus, could reshape the country’s governance landscape and deliver long-promised public relief.