Pakistan Considering Major Administrative Reorganisation; Provinces May Be Split Into 12 Units

New Delhi: Strong indications from Pakistan’s political corridors suggest that the country is preparing for a significant administrative overhaul that could see its four provinces restructured into 12 smaller units. Pakistan’s Information Minister Abdul Aleem Khan has publicly stated that the creation of new provinces is now “certain,” signalling that the proposal has moved into an advanced stage.

According to reports, final deliberations between the Pakistani government and the military leadership have already taken place. The restructuring plan is expected to be implemented in the coming days. The central idea behind the proposal is to divide each of Pakistan’s four provinces into three smaller administrative regions.

Proposed Division of Provinces

Under the plan:

• Punjab would be split into North Punjab, Central Punjab, and South Punjab.
  
  
• Sindh would be divided into Karachi Sindh, Central Sindh, and Upper Sindh.
  
  
• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) would be reorganised into North KP, South KP, and Tribal KP, the last of which would include areas previously part of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).
  
  
• Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but least populated province, would be divided into East Balochistan, West Balochistan, and South Balochistan.

Government’s Rationale: Better Governance and Faster Development

The Pakistani government argues that smaller provinces would make administration more efficient, reduce concentration of power among a few political groups, and enable more local representation. Officials claim that decentralisation would lead to faster development, improved service delivery, and a more balanced political structure.

Concerns Over Potential Political Instability

However, several analysts view the move with scepticism. Critics suggest that the government—and the powerful military establishment—may be adopting a strategy reminiscent of the colonial-era divide-and-rule approach. They warn that Pakistan is already grappling with unrest in multiple regions, and such a large-scale reorganisation could trigger further political tensions or even civil conflict.

The proposal has sparked intense debate across Pakistan, with supporters calling it a necessary step toward modern governance and opponents cautioning that it may deepen existing ethnic and regional fault lines.

As discussions continue at the highest levels, the country watches closely to see whether this ambitious restructuring plan will redefine Pakistan’s administrative and political landscape.