Pakistan, Sept. 13 -- Pakistan's debate on new provinces is usually trapped between political slogans and fears of fragmentation. Both approaches miss the central question: Is Pakistan's existing provincial structure still adequate for governing the country we have become?

Pakistan has changed dramatically. Its population has expanded, cities have grown into sprawling urban centres, economic activity has spread beyond traditional capitals, and regional disparities have become more complex. Yet the basic provincial architecture has remained largely unchanged. The issue, therefore, is not whether Pakistan needs "more provinces." The real question is whether the distance between political power and the people has become too great.

This dis...