Debate on New Provinces: Economic Development Focus, Says RCCI President
Published August 23, 2026 | 06:40 PM
RAWALPINDI, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 23rd Aug, 2026)
Usman Shaukat, President of Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), has stated that discussions around new provinces and administrative units should not be confined to a political arena but should be approached from an economic, administrative, and development perspective.
He asserts that the primary concern should be Pakistan’s ability to address deprivation, ensure equitable resource allocation, enhance governance, and create economic opportunities for its citizens.
"Pakistan requires a governance system that draws the state closer to the citizen, resources closer to communities in need, and economic opportunities closer to its people," usman Shaukat noted.
The RCCI President highlights the significant increase in Pakistan’s population alongside persistent disparities in infrastructure, employment, education, healthcare, and public services. He argues that the real issue is not merely the number of provinces but the effectiveness of the existing governance structure in providing fair access to resources and opportunities across all regions.
Shaukat emphasizes the need for a serious review of resource distribution, development allocations, fiscal transfers, and decision-making authority to ensure less-developed regions receive the investment necessary to catch up.
He suggests that the debate should weigh the "economic cost of deprivation versus the cost of administrative restructuring." Policymakers must evaluate the lost economic potential in underserved regions due to inadequate infrastructure, connectivity, utilities, education, healthcare, and access to government institutions.
While acknowledging that creating new provinces under the current governance model may not automatically solve these challenges, Shaukat stresses that strong, empowered, and adequately resourced local governments could improve decision-making and service delivery. He urges that new provinces and empowered local governments should not be considered mutually exclusive.
"The objective should be to design a governance model that genuinely devolves political, administrative, and financial authority and ensures resources reach the communities that need them most," he emphasized.
Shaukat calls for a shift in the discussion from talk shows and political slogans to parliamentary debates, senate discussions, provincial assemblies, and relevant stakeholder forums, all supported by economic studies, fiscal analysis, demographic data, and public consultation.
He further highlights the business community’s need for policy certainty, efficient administration, predictable taxation, reliable infrastructure, energy, and connectivity to foster investment, exports, and job creation.
