Adil Najam
For as long as I can remember, I have heard passionate arguments about whether the four provinces of Pakistan should be divided into multiple smaller provinces. The discussion has, once again, gained momentum. This time the focus is the Punjab and converting Southern Punjab into a separate province (a ‘Saraiki sooba‘).
The political optics of the situation remain in flux. The PML(N) has reacted to the current discussion with suspicion seeing this as a ploy by PPP to break the PML’s hold over the Punjab. The PPP has reacted, for the moment, with both President Zardari and Prime Minister Gillani saying that no such move is on the cards. That may well be so, and may well be subject to change, but my question for our readers today is whether — irrespective of political motives — creating a new province in Southern Punjab is a good idea or not? And what this may mean, if anything, for other provinces?
First, let me put my own cards on the table. The first time I wrote about this subject was back in the 1980s - in an op-ed in The Muslim I argued for a total of 6 to 8 provinces (each of the current four provinces being redrawn along lines consistent with historic, linguistic and cultural affinities). My most radical idea, then, was to reconsider the provinces not just along the lines of existing provinces but across existing lines (to use language as an example, Hindko, Sindhi, Seraiki, and Pushto speakers all straddle across current provincial lines). My motivation then, and now, stemmed from demographic concerns of concentration of populations, resources and, therefore, power in one province and the attendant feelings of peripheralization felt by other provinces. Importantly, this can - and has - led to a politics of fragmentation and distrust where it becomes too easy to evoke distrust and disdain through legitimate as well as exaggerated fears. There is also the concern about fewer provinces strengthening a provincial group identity at the expense of a national identity as well as of more local identities. Importantly, in the case of the Saraiki belt, the local identity sentiment for a separate province is the strongest reason to support such an initiative.
After writing that piece I remember having protracted conversations on this with the late Dr. Mahbub-ul-Haq who had been arguing for a much more elaborate scheme that woud end with there being 16-25 different provinces. Over the years I have become more and more sympathetic to his developmental argument: that creating smaller provinces will also de-centralize power and localize opportunities - each provincial capital requires a provincial capital infrastructure and create local employment and opportunities and therefore development opportunities get spread around the country rather than being centralized in a few locations.
I tend, therefore, to lean towards this idea. However, practical realities have tended to mute my enthusiasm somewhat. But, only somewhat. I realize, of course, the fracturous politics that will be unleashed in the process of redrawing provincial lines, even though my hope has been that the coalitional politics that will emerge for having more units will be, in fact, less fracturous than our current provincial frictions. There is also the practical matter that while in most of the country the affinities have long historical and cultural roots the demographics in urban Sindh are ‘modern’ and constructed through the traumas of sudden migration patterns. Not surprisingly, the resultant identity politics also tends to be more traumatic.
So, my own leanings on this are clear and I would certainly support a Seraiki province, even if a more elaborate redrawing of provincial units across the country were not possible at this time. Three reasons would make me support such a move: (a) it is a deep demand of the area itself and (b) it begins to balance out provincial distributions and (c) amongst the various cases for provincial redrawings this is clearly the strongest case for the clear cultural and historic affinities and this could serve as an important first step.
I have been in this debate long enough to know that there can, and will, be many arguments against mine. So, lets please hear them. Is there a logic to redrawing provincial units? If so, why? If not, why not? I suspect it will not be so, but I hope people will focus especially on the longer-term national logic of such a move rather than whatever short-term political gains or losses this might mean to particular political operatives.
I find this talk of slicing and dicing of this already-fragmented country into even finer pieces quite disturbing. The irony in the so-called rationale for further division is that these ideas are almost always cooked up by foreign or expatriate pseudo-intellectuals, and almost never by the local citizenry.
I tend to agree with the PPP on a lot of issues, but this consideration is downright ridiculous. What if the same illogic is applied to Sindh, and a separate province including Karachi is proposed? I wonder how the Sindhi base of the PPP will react to that!
We can think of grand schemes, and seemingly harmonious subdivisions along archaic ethnic and linguistic lines all we want, but the fact remains that Pakistan’s multitude of problems can be solved only, and entirely, by good governance.
I think Dr. Najam has summarized a strong argument in favor of making a Seraiki province. However, it is pertinent to note that going down this road can open a Pandora’s box, especially if Karachi is made into a province as well. Given the always tense ethnic situation in Karachi, and the growing Pushtun population, such a demarcation could lead to further ethnic violence in the city.
On an unrelated note, is it my imagination or are the ATP facebook comments less articulate, more emotional, and perhaps younger than the average ATP reader. Just going through the twitter like comments, I struggled to find any reasonable debate.
For a country of Pakistan’s size and population there should be more provinces. After reading Dr. Aisha’s article I am convinced that Seraiki region should be a separate provinces.
Better do it now in the spirit of ‘give and take’ then later when there will be a greater, forceful ‘demand’ for the Seraiki ‘Sooba’.
But PM Gilani is also correct that this could open a ‘Pandorra’s Box’; I think he has Karachi, Quetta-Chaman, Hazara and other regions in his mind. The most difficult task will be the resistance of the ethnic Sindhis against a Karachi province and ethnic Baluchis against a Pakhtoon Baluchistan province.
Why re-demarcate/recreate provinces when you already have Districts. They are already established, have a Nazim and Naib Nazim, district council everything is in place.
Start giving them more control over their affairs. Local law enforcement, education, health, finance, industries, take it all from provinces and give them to Districts. Trick is not to talk in terms of provinces and to transfer the power gradually.
Give the people a reason to participate in government and once they realize that the stuff being taught in schools, or the people running the hospitals are under their control, they’ll think more locally. Keep the provincial governments involved for the first few stages as you slowly transfer power from provinces to districts. Once that is achieved, remove the provincial assemblies and government.
Hence no need to talk of splitting up provinces and riling up people when you can do it cleverly.
I agree Baig, my only concern is that there will be those who will feel that the new setup is to their detriment… I think Punjab will remain a big enough province for the Seraiki province (or Potohar) not to be a big blow to it, and Pakhtunkhwa may lose Hazara but gain Northern Balochistan, but what of the Baloch? They feel aggrieved already. The same can be said of Sindh.
The big challenge, bigger than the actual creation of the new provinces, would be to pave public opinion in the nationalities that will feel hard done by, in favor of the new borders…
No! First, éstablish a good govrnance system in your provinve, (we don’t even have ä governing system) If we fail even then, there is no wrong in dividing the provinces.
The discussion continues to rage on the ATP Facebook Page; a few more comments from there.
- “no”
- “no, never. Instead i propose one unit instead of 1973 constitution. This is all because of this 1973 constitution. The constitution must be demolished and back again, i support one unit.”
- “diz iz another foreign plot like datt in baluchistan just to dis -unite pakistanis!”
- “I would not mind - if for the sake of easier administration and resource allocation - Punjab is divided into two provinces. Personally I do not see any threat to the national unity or any foreign conspiratorial theory behind this move.”
- “yessssss”
- “every one know that there is no substitute of unity so y any one wants to be further divisions …………already we called Punjabi,sidhi, Sarhadi Blochi,Kashmiri so no one like to called Pakistani and no one for pakistan they just speak rights of just their own province So what would be the result its further division ,,, we know better”
- “No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No”
- “Leave the Topic of Punjab, come on the point of Sindh :) :)”
- “i don’t know why are we scared with creation/demarcation of the provinces…india did it too….and to remove all the different of we need make balance and equity…there is no harm. this is part of reforms in long run..”
- “Pakistan Bachhao…..”
- “These leaders can’t handle 4 provinces. How can they handle more??????”
- “yeah it shud be done……!”
- “well, punjab was never what it became post Pakistan…..the multan and some other districts in Southern punjab were part of Sindh historically; three districts (Rajanpur and two the adjacents to it) are baloch districts….. and if Sindhis, Balochie, Pakhtuns and PUnjabis have right to identy; so do the Serakis have it…and Seraki’s right to identity is compromised if they stay within Punjab..”
- “Never”
- “- the deicission should be based on what is good for Pakistan as a whole and not on the needs of any one sub-entity.
- the decision should also take into account the wishes of people so maybe a referendum would be needed.
- all provinces may need to be further divided as they are much too big eitehr area wise (Balochistan) or population wise (Punjba)
- the new dividions should not be based on linguistic or any other groups, these should be solely based on what would be easier for administration. (I think most of us are sick of the slogans of Punjab for Punjabais and Balochistan for Balochis and so on. Pakistan is for Pakistanis and that is all. I claim equal right on all cities, towns and villages of Pakistan, where ever they may be. Pura Pakistan mera ghar hai)
Let us not be afraid of positive change.”
- “never…all such acts provoke separation…we should rather promote unity!all such tonts and everything is giving rise to such momentums round pakistan…..”
- “n i think that no one should go for the like this button in this respect!!!”
- “no way..dis iz not a way……….”
@Nostalgic. Actually I think a Potohar povince would be a very good idea. I think it is what Prof. Najam was suggesting in the post too. Baluchistan should also become two provinces or maybe the Pushto speaking part joined with Pakhtoonkhwa and the Hindko speaking part of NWFP a separate province. I think this will make the country stronger and actually increase national unity.