Demand of New Provinces in Pakistan: Causes and A Way Forward

Abstract

Pakistan presently comprises of four provinces. Every province has a different culture, language,
traditions and level of economic development it is widely accepted phenomenon that uneven socioeconomic development and identity crisis cause alienation among the backward relatively
provinces and regions. This is exactly the case in Pakistan. Furthermore, the level of economic
growth and prosperity is not equal within provinces as areas near provincial capitals are more
developed than the remote regions. Due to this disharmony and trust deficit has been developed
among different ethnic groups within provinces. One solution to overcome such problems is
equitable and fair distribution of resources and the promotion and development of the different
cultures and languages on equal footing. However, it doesn’t deem possible without creating new
provincial units. For the protection of separate identity and economic development various
movements for the creation of new provinces have been going on in all the four provinces. The
primary focus of this paper is to examine the rationale behind new provinces movements in
Pakistan generally and Hazara province movement particularly.