Smaller provinces can bring economic and administrative benefits: Mian Amer

Lahore (Web Dek): Punjab Group Chairman Mian Amer Mahmood has advocated the creation of smaller provinces in Pakistan, saying that expanding administrative units in line with population growth could make governance more effective while also helping bring down overall costs.

He expressed these views while speaking at the launch of an awareness drive titled “My Province, My System,” where he challenged the argument that establishing additional provinces would place a greater financial burden on the government.

Mian Amer highlighted that the expansion of administrative structures has been adopted by countries across the world as their populations have increased.

He maintained that Pakistan could also benefit from a similar approach rather than viewing the creation of new provinces as an unnecessary expense.

Mian Amer also spoke highly of Superior Group Chairman Professor Dr Chaudhry Abdul Rehman, saying that he was playing a positive role by guiding the younger generation towards a better future.

The Punjab Group chairman said that mayors and governors in different parts of the world remained closely focused on the affairs of their respective provinces and local administrations, demonstrating how effective governance could improve the management of public affairs.

He stressed that Pakistan should consider establishing smaller provinces, arguing that such a move could produce considerable administrative and economic gains.

Mian Amer said Balochistan, in particular, stood to benefit significantly from the restructuring of its administrative boundaries.

Turning to the need for broader administrative reforms, he said Punjab had increasingly become the subject of criticism in different parts of the country and that the underlying causes of what he described as resentment towards the province should be carefully examined.

Mian Amer pointed out that Punjab contributed billions of rupees to Balochistan every year, yet people from Punjab continued to suffer violence in certain areas simply because of their provincial identity.

He said residents of Punjab were prepared to support the establishment of smaller provinces. He suggested that Balochistan could potentially be reorganised into provinces along the lines of its eight existing divisions, arguing that such units could eventually emerge among the country's most prosperous regions.

The Punjab Group chairman maintained that Balochistan could gain the greatest economic advantage from the creation of new provinces, while similar reforms in Sindh could potentially place its new administrative units second in terms of economic prosperity.

“We have an opportunity today to take steps to improve our future,” he said.

Mian Amer also drew attention to the vast economic possibilities offered by Thar in Sindh, noting that the area possessed substantial natural resources and considerable untapped potential.

Discussing Pakistan's education challenges, Mian Amer said the country had one of the world's largest populations of children who were out of school.

He further claimed that even among children enrolled in educational institutions, a large majority were unable to read a textbook written for fifth-grade students.

Mian Amer emphasised the need to develop a governance structure designed around the requirements of local communities rather than relying on a system that failed to adequately address their needs.

“We will bring our own system to our own place,” he said, adding that Pakistan's young population was seeking a system capable of delivering effective and responsive governance.

Expressing confidence in Pakistan’s future, Mian Amer said he remained hopeful that the country would overcome its challenges and continue moving towards progress and development.