Punjab dominance creates power imbalance in Pakistan

A report in The Friday Times highlights a significant power imbalance in Pakistan, centered on the dominance of the Punjab province. According to Moonis Ahmar, Punjab maintains a disproportionate hold over the country’s judiciary, federal bureaucracy, military, and security agencies.

Key areas of imbalance include the military, where more than 65 percent of officers and soldiers originate from central and northern Punjab. This concentration is cited as a factor increasing the sense of deprivation in other provinces. Additionally, the superior judiciary and the corporate sector are heavily dominated by individuals from Punjab.

The report notes that the marginalization of the southern Saraiki belt, which seeks provincial status, remains a point of contention. Critics also suggest that the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) seeks to maintain this regional dominance, potentially extending influence over Balochistan, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Further tensions exist regarding resource allocation, such as water distribution, where Punjab has been accused of maintaining control over shares beyond its legal entitlement.