Time for Provincial Status

Larkana Division, with a population of 7.09 million and an area of 15,213 km², is larger in population than more than 100 countries and larger in land area than over 120 countries. Despite being the political heartland of Sindh, home to the ancient city of Mohenjo-daro, and one of Pakistan’s most influential political regions, it continues to face widespread poverty, low literacy, inadequate healthcare, weak infrastructure, and uneven development. Nearly 69% of its population lives in rural areas, while the overall literacy rate is just 44.5%, including only 34.6% among women, reflecting significant human development challenges.

Key Socio-Economic Indicators
Literacy rate 44.53%
Children stunted growth 52%
Drainage and Sanitation Only 26.4% connections available
Population below the Multidimensional Poverty Index 46.3%
Lacking Basic Health Facilities 16%–18%
Annually Registered Crime Cases 9,000–12,000
Development Budget Allocation 29%
Unemployment Rate 3.4%
Marriage Before Age 18 30%
Literacy rate — 44.53%
Children stunted growth — 52%
Drainage and sanitation — only 26.4% connections available
Population below the multidimensional poverty index — 46.3%
Lacking basic health facilities — 16% to 18%
Annually registered crime cases — 9,000 to 12,000
Development budget allocation — 29%
Unemployment rate — 3.4%
Marriage before age 18 — 30%
05
Districts
21
Tehsils
7,093,706
Population
15,213
Land Area (km²)

Key Challenges

Larkana Division faces fragile healthcare systems, education shortfalls, sewerage pollution, unsafe drinking water, and rising unemployment despite being the political heartland of Sindh.

  • Health Overload:
    Healthcare facilities in the region are under severe pressure due to a growing population, resulting in overcrowded hospitals and inadequate medical services.
  • Education Shortfalls:
    The division faces a lack of quality educational institutions, insufficient teaching staff, and limited access to higher education opportunities.
  • Sewerage Pollution:
    Poor sewerage systems and ineffective waste management have led to environmental pollution, posing serious health risks to residents.
  • Drinking Water:
    Access to clean and safe drinking water remains a major concern, with many areas relying on contaminated or insufficient water sources.
  • Employment Challenges:
    Limited industrial development and job opportunities have contributed to rising unemployment and economic instability in the region.
  • Budget Allocation:
    In a striking disparity, Larkana Division receives Rs. 18.15 billion for targeted public development, representing less than 2% of Sindh’s total Rs. 1.02 trillion development budget, whereas the core provincial block takes the dominant share.
Key challenges in Larkana Division — sanitation, water, health, waste and infrastructure

Governance Deficits

Poverty Rate

Compared to Karachi, Larkana Division is facing a much deeper poverty challenge.

Larkana Division
42%–56%
Karachi Division
28%

Road Infrastructure Challenges

While Karachi's urban network faces traffic congestion, unplanned utility cuts, and monsoon damage, Larkana Division depends on narrow rural roads for vital agricultural transport.

Drinking Water

Larkana Division faces a much worse drinking water and infrastructural crisis than Karachi Division.

Outdated or Contaminated Water Infrastructure

Larkana Division
80%
Karachi Division
28%

Sewerage Overload

Larkana Division faces a far worse sewerage crisis than Karachi Division.

Operational Wastewater Treatment Plants

Larkana
0
Karachi
3/3

Health Indicators

Stunted Growth

Compared to Karachi, Larkana Division is facing a much deeper stunted growth challenge.

Larkana Division
51.8%
Karachi Division
34.20%

Beds per 1,000 people

The operational availability of hospital beds is considerably lower across Larkana Division.

Larkana Division
0.6–0.8
Karachi Division
0.73

Teaching and Specialized Hospitals

Compared to Karachi, Larkana Division is facing much deeper challenges in teaching and specialized hospitals.

Larkana Division
7
Karachi Division
22+

Child Health Crisis

The child health and survival situation across Larkana Division is far more alarming than in Karachi due to the prevalence of HIV.

Mortality Rate (Per 1,000)

Larkana
48
Karachi
13

Educational Shortfalls

According to the UNICEF, PIDE, Sindh Bureau of Statistics:

Out of School Children

Out of school children are also much higher in Larkana Division.

Larkana Division
40.4%
Karachi Division
30.46%

Net Enrollment Rate

Children net enrollment rate in Karachi is higher than any other districts in Sindh.

Larkana Division
13.91%
Karachi Division
67.16%

Access to Schools

Larkana Division
51%
Karachi Division
69.54%

Judicial Stats

Data from Sindh High Court & related judicial sources

Sindh High Court

At the Sindh High Court (Circuit Court Larkana), approximately 7,680 cases pertaining to the Larkana Division are pending, constituting 9.12% of the total provincial high court pendency.

Lower Courts (Larkana Division)

In the lower courts of the Larkana Division, 18,432 criminal cases and 24,568 civil cases are currently pending. Consequently, the total number of pending cases in the lower courts of the Larkana Division amounts to 43,000.

Annually Registered Crime Cases

On average, approximately 28,500 crime cases are registered annually in the Larkana Division.

Global Comparison:

  • Pakistan: 241.5 million people with 04 provinces
  • India: Had 9 states at independence; now has 37. New states are created every five years, doubling the pace of development.
  • China: 1.4 billion people with 31 provinces.
  • USA: 320 million people with 50 states.
  • Indonesia: 275 million people with 34 provinces.
  • Russia: 142 million people with 70 to 75 provinces.

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