NEW PROVINCES IN PAKISTAN

he question of creating new provinces in Pakistan has remained one of the country’s most consequential and politically sensitive debates. It intersects with questions of federalism, political representation, administrative efficiency, equitable resource distribution, regional identity, economic development, constitutional reform and the quality of public service delivery.
Recognizing the complexity and national importance of this issue, the Advocacy Awareness & Sustainable Services Organization (AASS) convened a policy dialogue titled “New Provinces in Pakistan: The Way Forward” in Islamabad on 19 August 2026.
The dialogue brought together legal professionals, policy experts, former public officials, journalists, business representatives, civil society actors and other stakeholders to examine the question beyond political slogans and partisan positions.
The discussion did not adopt a predetermined position either in favour of or against the creation of new provinces. Instead, the central concern was whether Pakistan’s existing administrative and governance arrangements are adequately serving citizens—and, if not, what institutional reforms could provide better representation, more efficient administration, equitable development and improved access to public services.
The dialogue revealed that the question of new pro