Creating more administrative units in Sindh, Punjab and KP may resolve some of the problems but it alone is not the solution. Too much resources have been spent on development of existing provincial capitals, while other major towns and cities are being neglected. This has created a lot of friction between the interior of Sindh and major urban cities like Karachi. Similar is the situation in KP and Punjab, where Hazara belt and South Punjab are demanding separate administrative units.
The main disadvantage would be that it may lead to more administrative costs given the practice of large provincial cabinets that we witness in Balochistan, KP and Sindh. The system needs to be revamped in such a manner that administrative costs are reduced while emphasis for development is focused on under-developed areas. There is a need to emulate the example of setting up Danish Schools that have been set up in Punjab in under-developed areas, so that people of these areas can have access to quality education, and be able to become self-reliant in terms of human resources.
Under no circumstances should mistakes made in Balochistan be ever repeated, where bogus domiciles were issued to give jobs to adjoining provinces, because the province itself lacked enough quality schools, colleges and universities and ended up with acute shortage of qualified human resources capable to hold executive assignments. The under-developed areas need to be provided with human resources before they are given more autonomy.
It must also be noted that political elite from these areas have also contributed to their under-development because most of them are settled in major cities of Pakistan. This has lead to a disconnect between the people and their elected leaders. In some cases members of the ruling elite have shifted their major assets abroad and are only associated with these areas for their political objectives.
The responsibility for neglect of under-developed areas rests more upon the political elite elected from these places than anyone else.
RAHAT SIDDIQI
Karachi
