Rethinking Governance: Mian Amer Mahmood’s Vision for Pakistan
Good governance remains Pakistan’s most elusive dream. Despite multiple transitions of power, the state continues to struggle with decentralisation, accountability, and service delivery. Against this backdrop, the vision put forward by Mian Amer Mahmood — a former mayor of Lahore and education reformist — merits attention for its clarity and practicality.
At the heart of his argument lies a simple yet profound principle: Pakistan’s Constitution has never been implemented in its true spirit. Federalism, he argues, is incomplete without empowered provinces and functional local governments. For Mahmood, good governance is impossible if decisions about schools, hospitals, or municipal services are made from distant provincial capitals rather than at the grassroots.
His most striking proposal is the call for smaller provinces, carved out of existing divisions. Pakistan’s unwieldy provincial structures, he contends, centralise power in a way that suffocates local representation. By creating 32–33 provinces — each with streamlined departments, lean administrations, and direct accountability — Mahmood envisions a Pakistan where governance is closer to the people. Such restructuring, he argues, would not only reduce bureaucratic inefficiency but also allow new leadership to emerge from the middle class, breaking the monopoly of entrenched elites.
This vision is rooted in practicality. Public education, for instance, cannot be run effectively when a single provincial secretariat in Lahore is tasked with managing over 50,000 schools. Nor can citizens’ judicial needs be met when overburdened high courts serve vast territories. By advocating smaller provinces and stronger local governments, Mahmood links efficiency with justice, accountability with representation.
Yet his vision goes beyond administrative restructuring. Mahmood insists that governance must be judged by its ability to serve citizens, not rulers. Governments, unlike monarchies, exist for public welfare — a principle too often forgotten in Pakistan’s political culture. He warns against an economy run on perpetual borrowing and a society where citizens only demand entitlements rather than contribute to national strength.
This approach recalls the consultative model of the State of Madinah, where collective decisions and social responsibility were central to governance. Mahmood suggests that Pakistan can learn from this tradition by building a culture of accountability, rational voting, and civic responsibility.
In a political landscape dominated by populist slogans and personality cults, Mian Amer Mahmood’s vision stands out for its structural depth. It forces us to ask difficult questions: Can Pakistan afford to keep clinging to oversized provinces? Can genuine federalism exist without empowered local governments? And can democracy deliver if it remains captive to elites rather than opening doors for new leadership?
Pakistan’s path to stability will not come through cosmetic reforms but through bold restructuring. Whether or not Mahmood’s proposals are politically feasible, they provide a compelling roadmap for debate. At the very least, his vision reminds us that governance is not about distant rulers and bloated bureaucracies — it is about people, power, and accountability.
In a political culture weighed down by rhetoric and inertia, Mian Amer Mahmood emerges as a rare voice of clarity and courage. His call for smaller, more accountable provinces, empowered local governments, and people-centered governance reflects not only administrative foresight but also an unwavering devotion to public welfare. At a moment when Pakistan yearns for structural renewal, Mahmood’s vision shines as both a practical blueprint and a beacon of hope.
Watch: Mian Amer Mahmood
Watch: Governance Reform: Main Amer Mahmood' Vision for Good Governance in Pakistan
