Calls Grow for Fair Resource Distribution and Equal Development

As the debate over the creation of new provinces and administrative units continues across Pakistan, people in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have also come forward openly. Citizens of Dera Ismail Khan and adjoining areas are demanding the creation of a separate province to ensure fair distribution of resources, provision of basic facilities and improved administration.

Residents of Dera Ismail Khan say the region lacks quality healthcare and educational facilities, forcing local people to travel to Peshawar, Multan or Islamabad for medical treatment and higher education.

According to citizens, if a new province comprising Dera Ismail Khan and surrounding districts is established, it would not only enable the direct allocation of development funds but could also lead to significant improvements in government institutions, quality healthcare facilities and the law-and-order situation.

The citizens made it clear that their demand is not based on linguistic prejudice or Pashtun-Saraiki divisions. Rather, they said it is purely an administrative issue focused on devolving powers to the grassroots level and ensuring easier public access to institutions. They emphasized that new provinces should be created on the basis of genuine administrative needs rather than linguistic considerations to help lift all underdeveloped regions of the country out of deprivation.