AT last, the Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice has decided (Feb 10) to hold public hearing on the most vital and urgent issue of Pakistan; new provinces. It is high time this important issue was discussed wholeheartedly at the national level keeping aside all differences and politics. We simply have to look around us. We do not have to invent the wheel. Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey and India have created new provinces in the last few decades to maintain their integrity and easy management.
Indeed, no one will disagree that it is easy to govern a smaller area than a large area, if justice has to prevail. India created Haryana province within their very large Punjab province. Jharkhand was created within the thickly-populated Bihar province. Nigeria created new province to control its separatists and civil war.
In my opinion, population-wise creation of new province is most logical. Manageable population of a province is around 10 million. Thus, 20 or so provinces in Pakistan appear workable and maintainable. Karachi can easily have two or three provinces, subject to an honest census.
Once as a nation we decide to have more provinces, we must make sure to get rid of the colonial-style of large governor houses, chief minister houses and entourage of ministers and the so-called advisers. Just four honest ministers would be enough to look after the interests of 10 million people.
We all know, and I strongly believe, that if we do not make new provinces, there will be serious consequences.
Prof Serajuddaula Syed
Karachi
Published in Dawn, February 23rd, 2022
