LAHORE: The creation of new provinces cannot be the political agenda of any single political party; rather, it is a requirement of Pakistan’s broader national interest and a better future for coming generations, said Rana Nazir Ahmed Khan, Punjab President of the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP).
Addressing at a press conference at the party’s provincial secretariat, Rana Nazir Ahmed Khan said Pakistan had proved its military superiority by defeating a country several times larger than itself in the recent war, and it was now time to make the country economically strong and stable as well.
He said Pakistan needed to be strengthened not only militarily but also politically, administratively and economically. The creation of smaller provinces and administrative units could provide better public services and accelerate the pace of development, he added. He said the IPP demanded that Pakistan be divided into 12 to 14 provinces, adding that the creation of new provinces would not mean the division of Pakistan but would instead provide the basis for national development, prosperity and a stronger administrative structure.
“Smaller administrative units have created opportunities for better governance and development around the world, and we must move in the same direction,” he said. Rana Nazir said Punjab’s population was larger than that of 174 countries of the world, making it necessary to divide the province into additional administrative units.
He said when he was appointed IPP Punjab president, the party’s Punjab organisation was also divided into four units. Similarly, he added, the province should be divided into smaller units administratively as a matter of necessity.
The IPP Punjab president said Bahawalpur had been granted provincial status by Quaid-e-Azam, but its status was not restored as a province after the abolition of the One Unit system. “We demand that Bahawalpur province should also be restored,” he said.
Rana Nazir Ahmed Khan said at the time of Pakistan’s creation, the country had only 16 districts and now there are 43 districts. Administrative requirements, he added, changed with time.
“If larger provinces are administratively divided, it can further improve the resolution of problems, implementation of development projects and provision of public facilities,” he said.
He said the creation of new provinces would also increase political representation and bring government affairs closer to the people. With more provinces, he added, there would be more chief ministers and greater competition among provinces for development. He appealed to all political parties and politicians to take forward the issue in the national interest, keeping it above narrow political considerations.
“The movement for the creation of new provinces does not belong to any one political party; it is a movement for Pakistan’s better future,” he said.
Rana Nazir said the nation had brought great honour to the country and that Pakistan was now viewed with greater respect internationally.
“We must convert this respect into economic development and prosperity,” he added.
“Pakistan has given us a great deal; now it is our responsibility to make Pakistan stronger, more prosperous and more developed for future generations,” he concluded.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
Comments