By Atiq Raja
Why should a citizen still have to travel hundreds of miles to reach a government office that exists to serve him? Why should a farmer leave his village and spend days navigating administrative corridors to resolve a basic issue? Why should a patient, student, entrepreneur or job seeker face a maze of procedures before accessing services that should be available within easy reach? These questions are not simply about inconvenience. They reflect a deeper challenge facing the state itself: the distance between government and the people it is meant to represent. A country can have ambitious policies, powerful institutions and extensive resources, but if those systems remain physically and administratively distant from citizens, governance becomes slow, costly and disconnected.
The real challenge for Pakistan is not only to govern more effectively, but to govern closer to ordinary people. Pakistan is a country of immense potential. Its fertile plains, mineral reserves, strategic location, coastline and youthful population provide the foundations for economic transformation. Yet the reality experienced by millions remains far removed from that promise. Many citizens continue to struggle with inadequate education, limited healthcare, weak municipal services, delayed justice and insufficient employment opportunities.
The contrast is difficult to ignore: a country rich in possibilities but often unable to deliver basic services efficiently. One major reason lies in an administrative structure that has struggled to adapt to decades of demographic, economic and social change. Since independence, Pakistan’s population has grown several times over. Small towns have expanded into major urban centers, rural settlements have developed new economic importance, and districts that were once manageable administrative units now contain populations larger than some countries. Despite this transformation, the machinery of governance has often remained tied to outdated structures.
A system designed for a smaller population and simpler challenges cannot continue to meet the demands of a rapidly changing society without serious reform. This is why the debate over administrative restructuring deserves attention. However, the discussion should not be reduced only to the creation of new provinces. Administrative reform is a much wider issue. It requires a careful examination of whether existing provinces, divisions, districts, tehsils and local governments are capable of meeting the needs of today’s citizens. The central principle should be straightforward: government should be brought as close to the people as possible without compromising efficiency or national cohesion.
No government operating from distant capitals can fully understand the diverse needs of every region. The challenges faced by a farming community are different from those confronting a coastal population. The priorities of a fast-growing city cannot be identical to those of a remote mountainous area. Different regions possess different strengths, problems and opportunities. Local realities require local solutions. A stronger system of decentralized governance does not mean weakening the federation. In fact, when designed properly, decentralization can strengthen national unity by allowing regions to address their own challenges while remaining connected through a common constitutional framework.
A coastal district should have the ability to develop fisheries, ports, tourism and maritime industries according to its potential. Agricultural regions should be empowered to improve irrigation systems, agricultural markets, storage facilities and food-processing industries. Mountainous areas should be able to focus on tourism, renewable energy and sustainable resource management. Urban centers should have the authority to address transport, housing, waste management and digital infrastructure challenges. Such an approach would not undermine national planning. Instead, it would make national development more practical by connecting policies with realities on the ground.
However, decentralization cannot succeed through slogans alone. It requires a transfer of genuine authority, financial resources and administrative responsibility. Pakistan has repeatedly faced the same contradiction: local governments are expected to deliver essential services but are often denied the independence and resources required to perform those duties effectively. Responsibilities are frequently transferred downward while decision-making powers and financial control remain concentrated at higher levels. This imbalance must be corrected. If local institutions are responsible for roads, sanitation, water supply, primary healthcare and community development, they must receive predictable funding and clearly defined authority.
A government cannot be held accountable for functions it has no power to manage. At the same time, greater local authority must come with stronger accountability. Decentralization should not create smaller centers of corruption or inefficiency. Every administrative unit must operate under transparent financial systems, public oversight, independent audits and measurable performance standards. The closer power moves to the people, the closer accountability must move as well. This is why administrative reform must go hand in hand with strengthening local democracy.
Citizens should not only participate in elections but should also have meaningful institutions through which they can influence decisions affecting their daily lives. A responsive local government can become the first and most important connection between the citizen and the state. However, any discussion about creating new provinces requires careful consideration. Pakistan’s federal structure is built around complex regional identities, historical experiences and political sensitivities. Administrative boundaries cannot be changed casually, nor should the creation of new provinces become a tool for political bargaining. The debate must be guided by evidence rather than political convenience.
(The writer is a rights activist and CEO of AR Trainings and Consultancy, with degrees in Political Science and English Literature, can be reached at news@metro-morning.com)
