Web Desk: Public support for creating new provinces in Pakistan has climbed sharply, with 77% of citizens favouring administrative restructuring amid growing dissatisfaction with provincial governments, according to the Meridian National Barometer 2026.
The nationwide survey, conducted by Meridian Analytics among 5,000 respondents, found that support for new provinces has increased by 23 percentage points since 2022, reflecting rising expectations for improved governance, accessible public services and equitable development.
The findings suggest that demands for administrative reform extend beyond political debates, with citizens increasingly linking the creation of smaller provinces to better service delivery and greater government accountability.
The survey revealed widespread frustration with the performance of existing provincial administrations, as 82% of respondents said their district’s development needs receive inadequate attention.
According to the findings, citizens increasingly view the concentration of administrative authority in provincial capitals as an obstacle to addressing local development priorities.
Consequently, the demand for new provinces appears closely connected to expectations that smaller administrative units would bring government institutions closer to communities and improve their responsiveness.
The Meridian National Barometer also identified strong public expectations regarding the practical benefits of creating additional provinces.
According to the survey, 83% of respondents believe new provinces would reduce the time required to travel to government offices, potentially making essential administrative services more accessible.
Meanwhile, 79% expect the restructuring to increase financial allocations for district-level development, suggesting that concerns over the distribution of public resources remain central to the debate.
Furthermore, 77% believe the establishment of new provinces would improve police responsiveness, highlighting public expectations for stronger local law enforcement and more accountable institutions.
Together, these findings indicate that supporters primarily associate administrative restructuring with improved everyday governance rather than political representation alone.
The survey found substantial support for new provinces across all four existing provinces, although approval levels varied by region.
Sindh recorded the highest provincial support at 80%, while Karachi emerged as a particularly strong centre of demand, with 92% of surveyed respondents favouring the creation of new administrative units.
Punjab followed closely, with 78% supporting the proposal.
Similarly, 75% of respondents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa endorsed the creation of additional provinces, while Balochistan registered 72% support.
The figures suggest that calls for administrative restructuring have gained traction across different regions despite their distinct political, geographical and development challenges.
One of the survey’s most significant findings is the sharp increase in nationwide support over the past four years.
The 2026 approval rating of 77% represents a 23-percentage-point rise from the 54% level recorded in 2022.
This shift suggests growing public interest in reconsidering Pakistan’s existing provincial structure as citizens seek solutions to administrative delays, uneven development and limited access to government institutions.
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