Needs Democracy
Needs Democracy: Bad governance does not cause Pakistan’s political problems. It shows a deeper problem in the system. Our rulers often avoid political and institutional accountability. Creating more provinces will not fix this problem. It may create new divisions instead.
Political Failures
Many countries have many provinces. Yet, they still face poor governance, political instability and economic crises. Some also face civil wars and institutional failures. So, creating more provinces cannot guarantee better governance.
Pakistan has tried many political systems over the years. Leaders introduced these systems in the name of stability, security and development. But they failed to answer basic political questions. These include people’s rights, political power and fair resource distribution.
People and Power
A state depends on its people. People form the foundation of a modern state. They support the state with their work and sacrifices. A country cannot succeed without their trust and participation.
Soon after independence, powerful elites took control of Pakistan’s politics. Political, business, landed and civil-military groups protected their own interests. They also controlled national resources. Meanwhile, constitution-making remained delayed.
Constitutional Crisis
In 1954, Governor-General Ghulam Muhammad dissolved the first Constituent Assembly. The Assembly had completed a draft constitution. He feared losing his powers. This decision badly damaged Pakistan’s democratic development.
Pakistan finally adopted its first Constitution in 1956. However, it did not create a strong democratic or federal system. It introduced parity between East and West Pakistan. This denied East Pakistan its democratic majority.
One Unit Crisis
The government also created One Unit in West Pakistan. It merged several provinces into one. This weakened provincial identity and federalism. The system soon created more political tensions.
Political instability continued. Five governments fell within just two and a half years. In 1958, President Iskander Mirza imposed martial law. General Ayub Khan soon took control of the country.
Ayub Khan’s Era
Ayub Khan introduced the 1962 Constitution. He created a presidential system. He also limited direct public participation. His government relied on the Basic Democracies system for political support.
The Ayub era brought economic growth in some areas. But it also increased political control and inequality. Political manipulation weakened democratic institutions. Differences between East and West Pakistan also grew.
Public protests finally ended Ayub Khan’s rule in 1969. Another martial law followed. Political tensions became worse. In 1971, East Pakistan separated and became Bangladesh.
Democracy Under Pressure
Pakistan adopted the 1973 Constitution after this crisis. It came closer to the people’s democratic aspirations. It introduced parliamentary government and federalism. It also protected fundamental rights and gave provinces greater autonomy.
The Constitution created a better balance between state institutions. It also recognised the people as the ultimate source of political power. This gave Pakistan a strong foundation for democracy.
But political leaders and powerful institutions soon weakened this system. Political conflicts increased. The security establishment also returned to politics. In 1977, General Zia-ul-Haq imposed martial law and removed the elected government.
Since then, Pakistan has become a testing ground for different political systems. The country has experienced military rule, controlled democracy, hybrid governments and other political experiments.
The Real Solution
Each system claimed to solve Pakistan’s problems. Instead, many weakened constitutional democracy. Powerful groups continued to protect their interests. Ordinary citizens continued to face the costs of political failure.
Now, the government proposes more provinces to improve governance. This approach will not solve the real problem. New provinces cannot replace strong institutions and accountability. They may also create new political and administrative conflicts.
Pakistan needs genuine federal democracy. It needs strong institutions and political accountability. It also needs effective local governments. Most importantly, the state must give people a real voice in governance.
Good governance does not come from political engineering. It comes from democracy, accountability and strong institutions.
Published in Dawn, 28th August 2026
