Fine:
The president of Punjab Group of Colleges, Mian Amer Mahmood, said that creating new provinces is an urgent need, since it would bring development, it would make politicians more responsible and would provide people with justice and basic facilities in a better way.
“The formation of new provinces would also reduce expenses,” Mahmood said on Tuesday while talking at a private university. He said that Pakistan currently has four provinces, with Punjab only that includes 51 percent of the population.
Punjab, with its 130 million people, is larger than three other combined units and that is why it is often criticized. Only 13 countries in the world have larger populations than Punjab, he added.
He said that Baluchistan, although the largest per area, had a very small population at the time of independence, but its population has now increased rapidly.
“We give power to the President and the Prime Minister through our vote so that they can solve the problems of people. Supporting the government means supporting public welfare.
“Worldwide, governments work for public welfare and form smaller provinces so that the facilities reach people at their doors,” he said.
Citing a World Bank report, he said, deprivation is widespread in the country. “In 80 years, we have only developed five cities. The facilities are limited to five capitals. Until the powers are transferred to the base, the country cannot progress,” he added.
Mahmood compared Pakistan with China and India. He said that China has 31 provinces, India has 39 states, while Pakistan, despite being the fifth most populated country, only has four provinces. He said that the ten most populated countries in the world developed dividing their territories for better governance.
