This letter refers to the article ‘The myth of more provinces’ (December 6, 2025) by Syed Asad Ali Shah. The last paragraph states that “Pakistan does not need a new map (of more provinces). It needs the discipline and the courage to reform the state it already has”. Taking cues from this article, I would request that the authorities institute pilot-project local governments in Punjab and Sindh. These pilot local governments should have clear mandates, clear authorities, clear funds, clear consciences and clean and clear road-maps/goal-posts to achieve within the next two years.
There is no need to remove or displace the sitting provincial governments to take this step. But we do need to create a clear and well thought-out tier of co-operation between the provincial governments and the pilot local governments at the divisional and district levels so that not just the province but each and every division/district is moving towards positivity and better governance. If these projects are successful, then they can be replicated in the other provinces. This project will not require us to spend extra money, which new provinces definitely would.
Abbas R Siddiqi
Lahore
