75% of Pakistanis Say Country is Headed in Wrong Direction

A recent Ipsos poll has found that three in four people in Pakistan believe the country is headed in the wrong direction, with a majority of respondents expressing concerns about the economy and inflation. This comes as the government proposes creating new provinces, a move that has been met with opposition from its ally, the PPP, and other parties.

The proposal to create new provinces was made by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in July, with Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal suggesting 15 additional provinces, each subdivided into three, or 160 district governments as an alternative. However, the PPP has opposed any plan to divide Sindh, and the Sindh Assembly has adopted a resolution rejecting the division of the province or creation of new administrative units.

The resolution, which declares 'Sindh is one and shall remain one', unequivocally rejects any proposal to divide Sindh or create new provinces out of its territory. The MQM, on the other hand, has proposed establishing new administrative units, including Karachi as a separate province, and boycotted the Sindh Assembly session.

## Why it matters The disconnect between the government and public concerns is stark, with people worrying about their economic situation while the government focuses on altering the country's provincial structure. The economy and inflation are the top concerns for a majority of respondents, and the government's proposal to create new provinces has sparked a furious response from its allies and the public.

The opposition to the proposal highlights the challenges faced by the government in implementing its plans, and the need for it to address the concerns of its allies and the public. With a majority of people expressing dissatisfaction with the government's priorities, the proposal to create new provinces is likely to be a contentious issue in the coming days.

## What happens next The government will need to reconsider its proposal and engage with its allies and the public to address their concerns. The PPP's opposition to the proposal and the Sindh Assembly's resolution rejecting the division of Sindh will make it difficult for the government to push through its plans. The MQM's proposal to establish new administrative units, including Karachi as a separate province, will also need to be considered by the government.

The Ipsos poll's findings highlight the need for the government to prioritize the economy and inflation, and to engage with the public and its allies to address their concerns. The proposal to create new provinces has sparked a furious response, and the government will need to navigate this contentious issue carefully to avoid further alienating its allies and the public.