FOR years, students in Pakistan have been taught that history is not merely a collection of dates, stories about battles and names. It is a lesson about how societies rise, develop and sometimes decline. Today, it is time for young Pakistanis to apply those historical lessons to the realities of their own country.
When we study the Roman Empire, the Abbasid Caliphate and the Mughal Empire, we see vast territories that became increasingly difficult to govern as they expanded. Distance from the centre, administrative difficulties, regional differences and struggles for power created challenges. The Roman Empire eventually became divided into eastern and western parts, while the Abbasid Caliphate faced increasing regional autonomy as its territories became difficult to control.
The Mughal Empire also experienced growing provincial as well as regional challenges, particularly as central authority weakened. These examples do not prove that large states are destined to fail, or that smaller units are automatically successful. However, they do teach us an important lesson: effective administration becomes more difficult when a government is too far removed from the people it serves.
This is why the discussion about creating new administrative units in Pakistan deserves to be taken seriously. For a long time, young people have been told to study history, understand its lessons and apply their knowledge to the real world. Now, the students are beginning to ask: if history is meant to guide the present, why should we not use its lessons when thinking about the future of Pakistan?
Many young Pakistanis believe that smaller administrative units could bring government closer to ordinary citizens. Pakistan is a diverse country. The needs of a student living in a major metropolitan centre may be different from those of a student living in a remote or less-developed area. Similarly, the economic challenges of a small town cannot be understood through the same lens as those of a major urban centre.
The demand now for new provinces or administrative units is, therefore, not necessarily about ‘dividing Pakistan’. For many young people, it is about better administration, equal opportunities and a stronger connection between the citizens and the state. Young Pakistanis want better education, healthcare, infrastructure and employment opportunities without having their future determined by whether they were born in a major city or a remote district.
The young also believe that development should not remain concentrated in a few large cities. If administrative structures had been designed according to population, geography and local needs, resources and decision-making could have potentially reached areas that have historically received less attention. Greater adminis-trative efficiency could also help govern-ments respond more quickly to critical issues. Of course, creating new units alone cannot solve these problems; strong institutions, transparency and responsible economic policies would still be essential.
We, the students, are often told in classrooms to think critically, question assumptions and learn from the past. We are encouraged to adapt to a changing world. We are taught that learning does not end with memorising what is already known; sometimes we must unlearn, relearn and rethink. This is a moment that demands the elders to do the same.
Palwasha Usman
Peshawar
Published in Dawn, October 26th, 2026
