AT a recent session at Iqra University in Karachi, former Mayor of Lahore Mian Amer Mahmood spoke about Pakistan’s governance challenges and the strain of large, overstretched provinces.
His observations reminded me of a persistent reality: the structures through which we govern our country often fail to deliver basic services to citizens. Governance is not just a political debate; it is how millions of Pakistanis experience education, healthcare, and opportunity every day.
Provinces with huge populations or uneven distribution of resources struggle to deliver consistent public services. This is not theory, it is reality. A government study on district education performance found that Pakistan’s overall education score is low, with a national average of just 53 out of 100. Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa perform relatively better, but Sindh and Balochistan lag far behind. Over half of Pakistan’s 134 districts fall into the low-performance category, and none in these provinces qualify as high-performing.
Beyond education, another recent study on district vulnerabilities found that 17 of the 20 most vulnerable districts are in Balochistan, where residents face poor housing, no clean water, inadequate sanitation, and limited access to health and education services. These numbers are not just statistics : they reflect millions of lives shaped by systemic neglect. Inequality is entrenched and will not disappear without meaningful reform.
The question is how Pakistan can make its governance framework more responsive and accountable. One approach is to create smaller, more manageable administrative units. Smaller units can bring decision-making closer to communities, reduce bureaucratic delays, and make public institutions accountable. When governments are overstretched, local needs are ignored, and citizens lose faith in public services. Restructuring provinces with population and geographic realities in mind can help correct these imbalances.
Critics worry that smaller provinces could threaten national unity or increase administrative complexity. These concerns are real, but international experience shows decentralization can strengthen cohesion rather than weaken it. Clear authority at the provincial level reduces grievances and gives communities a sense of ownership. Others fear challenges in fiscal management. That is why careful planning is essential. Equitable revenue-sharing frameworks, federal support where needed, and clear governance rules can ensure no region is disadvantaged and all provinces function effectively.
Structural reform alone will not solve Pakistan’s challenges. Strong institutions, transparent public service mechanisms, and accountability must accompany any change. A recent health study found that rural populations and residents of underdeveloped provinces have far lower access to healthcare, contributing to preventable illness and mortality. Similarly, studies on nutrition and education show that child health, educational outcomes, and economic opportunity vary sharply by province, reflecting governance gaps.
The urgency of reform is undeniable. Millions of children remain out of school, healthcare access is inconsistent, and economic opportunities are concentrated in a few areas. Delaying change will only widen these gaps. Universities and civil society have a role to play. Youth, who inherit these challenges, need to understand how governance structures shape daily life. Engaging them in evidence-based debate is critical to ensuring any reform is informed, inclusive, and effective.
Rethinking provincial structures is not a partisan or political exercise. It is a practical necessity to ensure that government delivers on its promises. Governance structures are human-made and must evolve as population grows, inequalities widen, and societal expectations increase. Done thoughtfully, decentralization can improve service delivery, promote equity, and strengthen national cohesion rather than threaten it. Success depends on evidence-driven planning, inclusive dialogue among political actors and citizens, and strengthened institutional capacity.
The discussion at Iqra University reinforces a simple truth: reform is not optional. Pakistan cannot rely on rhetoric or short-term measures. Structural reform is urgent, achievable, and necessary. The conversation must move beyond abstract debate to practical solutions that improve quality of life, make public institutions responsive, and ensure development reaches every corner of the country.
Former Mayor Mian Amer Mahmood’s observations serve as a reminder that leadership at both local and provincial levels matters. Visionary governance, coupled with structural reform, can ensure that provinces are not too large to serve their citizens effectively. Smaller, smarter administrative units are not a threat; they are a pathway to governance that functions for the people, rather than overwhelms them. Pakistan’s future depends on it.
—The writer is a senior media academic, former Dean of Mass Communication at Beaconhouse National University and University of Central Punjab, and currently a Professor at the University of Central Punjab.
