Pakistan is considering a proposal to reorganize its administrative structure by creating 12 provinces instead of the existing four, with a nationwide referendum being discussed ahead of a possible 28th Constitutional Amendment.
The proposed arrangement would divide Punjab into four provinces, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa into three, Balochistan into three, and Sindh into two.
Sources familiar with the discussions said the proposed changes are aimed at improving governance, making public services more accessible, and ensuring a more balanced distribution of development resources across different parts of the country.
Preliminary discussions reportedly envisage moving towards the constitutional amendment in the first half of 2027, with initial steps potentially beginning during the first quarter.
One option under consideration is to hold a nationwide referendum before starting the formal constitutional process. The exercise would seek public opinion on whether Pakistan should establish additional provinces.
The proposed approach is intended to give citizens a say in a major change to the country’s administrative structure rather than allowing the issue to be decided exclusively through political negotiations.
Supporters of the proposal believe smaller provinces could improve administrative oversight, help governments address local problems, and make public institutions more responsive to residents. They also argue that smaller administrative units could make it easier to identify development needs and monitor the use of public resources.
The thinking behind the proposal is that Pakistan’s expanding population and growing administrative demands require a governance structure that brings decision-making closer to local communities.
The suggested restructuring is reportedly not intended to reduce the status or authority of any existing province. Instead, its stated objective is to improve the delivery of government services and extend development opportunities to areas that have remained underserved.
However, the plan has not moved beyond preliminary consideration. Provincial boundaries, the distribution of administrative responsibilities, and the institutional arrangements required for the proposed changes have yet to be finalized.
Establishing new provinces would also require resolving major constitutional and political issues. These include changes to provincial representation, the allocation of financial resources, and the transfer of administrative institutions and responsibilities.
The process would require extensive consultations and parliamentary agreement, making political consensus a key condition for implementation.
The proposed referendum is being considered as a way to establish public support before taking the matter into the constitutional and parliamentary process. Whether the proposal advances will depend on further discussions and agreement on the framework for restructuring the country.
