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Recurring discussions of whether, and how, to create new provinces avoids a conversation about provincial autonomy.
From time to time, the debate over creating new provinces arises in Pakistani politics. This debate receives attention in the media for a while, only to fade away after some time as if it never existed. Consequently, the airtime for proponents of new provinces disappears as well. Some view this debate as a political gimmick designed to distract the public from the real issues facing the country, while others believe that influential figures operate behind the scenes to extract concessions from those in political power by stirring up this debate. It is indeed possible for a select few to hold power while others manipulate events from the sidelines in a hybrid democracy like Pakistan, which has experienced dictatorial rule for 34 of its 79 years of existence since 1947.
The debate of dividing the existing four provinces of Pakistan and creating new provinces has resurfaced once again after a statement made by Pakistani Interior and Narcotics Control Minister Mohsin Naqvi late last month. While addressing the first Pakistan Economic Summit in Islamabad, he said:
