'New provinces needed for future generations'

ISLAMABAD:

Punjab Group of Colleges Chairman Mian Amer Mahmood has called for the creation of a new province at every divisional level, arguing that smaller administrative units would ensure better governance and development outcomes.

Speaking at a seminar titled Pakistan 2030: Possibilities and New Directions at FAST University, Mahmood questioned why, despite heavy spending, Punjab was unable to deliver expected results in education and healthcare. He noted that the provincial government spends Rs4,400 per student in public schools every month and nearly Rs6 million annually on each hospital bed, yet outcomes remain unsatisfactory.

"Modern research shows that the smaller the administrative units, the better the performance," he said, adding that Pakistan continues to function with administrative structures designed for the 1947 population. "If we want to secure the future of our generations, every division must be turned into a province."

He urged the youth to channel their energy into this cause rather than "wasting time on social media," saying that such a move could unite all political parties. He stressed that universities should not only produce human resources but also focus on human development.