ISLAMABAD: A proposal to increase Pakistan’s provinces from four to 12 could be implemented only after the 2029 general elections, even if constitutional amendments are considered next year, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
The plan would divide Punjab into four provinces, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan into three each, while Sindh would be split into two. Existing provincial governments and assemblies would remain in place until the next elections, sources said.
They identified three major hurdles: how to distribute resources under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, how to manage water allocations, and how to divide financial assets and liabilities.
The NFC formula currently distributes the provinces’ share of the federal divisible pool among four units, taking factors such as population, poverty, backwardness and revenue generation into account. Creating eight more provinces would require deciding whether to adapt that formula or design a new one.
Water distribution would also need to be addressed. The 1991 Water Apportionment Accord sets allocations among the four existing provinces. Any restructuring could prompt debate over whether those shares should be preserved and divided among successor provinces, or whether allocations should be renegotiated.
A further challenge would be assigning provincial debts, federal loans, financial claims and outstanding transfers. Sources said a detailed accounting of each province’s assets and obligations would be needed to limit disputes during the transition.
The proposal would require extensive consultation between the federal and provincial governments and other stakeholders before any restructuring could be put into effect.
