Proposed creation of 12 provinces to be implemented after 2029 polls: sources

The proposed administrative restructuring would subsequently be implemented following the 2029 electoral exercise.However, the transition to 12 provinces would require agreement on several sensitive issues involving the financial and economic rights of the existing provinces and their proposed successor units.The first major challenge would be the distribution of resources under the NFC Award.

Currently, the provincial share of the federal divisible pool is distributed among four provinces under an established formula that takes into account factors including population, poverty and backwardness and revenue generation.The creation of eight additional provinces would raise fundamental questions about how the existing provincial share would be redistributed among 12 units.

It would also require determining whether the existing formula should continue or whether a revised mechanism should be introduced to accommodate the financial requirements of the new provinces.The second major challenge relates to the distribution of water resources.

Pakistan’s water-sharing arrangements are currently governed by the 1991 Water Apportionment Accord, which determines the shares of the four existing provinces in the Indus River system.The creation of new provinces would necessitate a fresh understanding of how the existing water allocations would be divided among the newly established units.

This could become particularly sensitive in regions where water availability, irrigation requirements and agricultural dependence are already sources of disagreement.A mechanism would therefore be required to determine whether the existing provincial allocations would remain intact and subsequently be divided among successor provinces or whether a broader revision of water-sharing arrangements would be necessary.The third major challenge would concern the settlement of financial liabilities between the federal government and the existing….

There are outstanding financial claims, transfers, loans and other fiscal obligations involving the federation and provincial governments.

Any restructuring would require a clear mechanism to determine how these liabilities and financial entitlements would be distributed among the new provinces.This would involve deciding which successor province would assume responsibility for existing provincial debts, how federal loans and other obligations would be apportioned, and how outstanding payments owed by the Centre to the provinces would be transferred to the newly created units.The exercise would require a comprehensive assessment of….

Proposed creation of 12 provinces to be implemented after 2029 polls: sources Updated an hour ago Existing provincial govts and assemblies will continue functioning until the next general elections, say sources.