Saraikistan for Pakistan: Strengthening Federalism Through Fair Representation

 

Introduction

The debate over creating new provinces in Pakistan is more than administrative—it reflects a deep crisis of representation, equity, and governance. Pakistan’s survival as a federation depends on fairness, shared power, and empowering neglected regions. Punjab’s demographic dominance and elite capture have concentrated power, weakening trust among other provinces. Saraikistan, alongside strong local governments, provides a path to restore balance and strengthen national unity.

1. Why New Provinces Are Needed

• Governance: Smaller, well-defined provinces bring administration closer to the people, improving service delivery and accountability.
• Equitable Resource Distribution: New provinces ensure resources are allocated fairly, reducing regional disparities.
• Addressing Grievances: Communities long neglected or marginalized gain representation and a voice in policymaking.
• Reducing Centralised Dominance: Breaking up overly powerful provinces prevents a single region from monopolising national politics.
• Global Precedent: Countries worldwide carve out new provinces to strengthen federalism and reduce structural imbalance.

2. The Current Crisis in Pakistan

• Population Growth vs. Static Provinces: Pakistan’s population has surged, but the provincial structure remains almost unchanged since independence.
• Punjab’s Dominance: Demographic and political weight gives Punjab disproportionate influence, leaving other provinces and southern Punjab disenfranchised.
• Regional Neglect: Calls for provinces like Saraikistan, Hazara, South Punjab, and Bahawalpur stem from economic neglect, political marginalisation, and cultural invisibility.
• Elite Capture: Centralised power has undermined local governance, weakening trust and alienating communities.
• Political Exploitation: Some actors exploit demands for new provinces as electoral tools rather than pursuing genuine reform.

3. Why Saraikistan is the Solution

• Correcting Structural Imbalance: Saraikistan would reduce Punjab’s overrepresentation, creating a more balanced federation.
• Empowering Millions: Millions of Saraiki-speaking citizens gain visibility, resources, and the ability to shape local governance.
• Not About Ethnic Division: Saraikistan strengthens the federation by fostering solidarity and inclusion, not by promoting separatism.
• Enhancing Democracy: Constitutionally protected, financially autonomous local governments ensure decisions are made closest to the people, from healthcare to education and municipal planning.
• Grassroots Empowerment: True unity emerges from shared power at the local and provincial levels, rather than top-down imposition.

4. Implementation Considerations

• Constitutional Process: The creation of a new province requires a two-thirds majority in the concerned provincial assembly and approval from both houses of Parliament.
• Negotiating Fairness: While legal hurdles are significant, principles of equity and justice should guide reform.
• Complementary Reforms: Saraikistan must be paired with empowered local governments to achieve meaningful decentralisation.
• Communication & Inclusion: Punjab and other provinces should be engaged to ensure the reform is perceived as strengthening the federation, not threatening it.

5. Benefits of Saraikistan for Pakistan

• Stronger Federalism: Balances power among provinces, preventing domination by any single region.
• Increased Representation: Millions of citizens gain a voice in governance, reducing alienation.
• Economic Development: Local control over resources can drive growth in underdeveloped areas.
• Social Cohesion: Reduces resentment and marginalisation, fostering a sense of inclusion.
• Sustainable Unity: Demonstrates that Pakistan’s federation can survive and thrive through fairness and decentralisation.

Conclusion

The debate over new provinces highlights Pakistan’s deeper governance and representation challenges. Mere multiplication of provinces will not suffice; reforms must be rooted in fairness, equity, and shared power. Saraikistan, coupled with empowered local governments, offers a practical, equitable solution: transforming alienation into representation, imbalance into solidarity, and marginalisation into empowerment.

If Pakistan seeks to survive as a true federation, it must choose reforms guided by justice and fairness. Saraikistan is not just a new province—it is a pathway to a stronger, more inclusive, and resilient Pakistan.