View source for Administrative units of Pakistan

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{{Infobox subdivision type
| name = Administrative Units:<br />Islamic Republic of Pakistan
| map = File:Pakistan location map.svg
| category = [[Federated state]]
| start_date = [[Legal Framework Order, 1970|1 July 1970]]
| current_number = {{plainlist|
* 4 [[province]]s
* 2 [[Kashmir conflict|administrative territories]]
* 1 [[federal territory]]
 }}
| number_date = 
| population_range = {{Collapsible list
| title = ''{{nobold|Least, most:}}''
| 1,249,000 ([[Gilgit–Baltistan]])
| 110,012,442 ([[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]])
 }}
| area_range = {{Collapsible list
| title = ''{{nobold|Smallest, largest:}}''
| {{Convert|349.81|sqmi|order=flip|abbr=on}}, [[Islamabad Capital Territory]]
| {{Convert|134050|sqmi|order=flip|abbr=on}}, [[Balochistan, Pakistan|Balochistan]]
 }}
| government = {{Collapsible list
| title = ''{{nobold|Descending order:}}''
| 1. [[Government of Pakistan|National government]]
| 2. [[List of provincial governments of Pakistan|Provincial governments]]
| 3. [[Districts of Pakistan#Administration|District governments]]
| 4. [[Tehsil Municipal Administration]]
| 5. [[Local government in Pakistan|Local governments]]
 }}
| subdivision = {{Collapsible list
| title = ''{{nobold|Descending order:}}''
| 1. [[Divisions of Pakistan|Divisions]]
| 2. [[Districts of Pakistan|Districts]]
| 3. [[List of tehsils in Pakistan|Tehsils]]
| 4. [[Union council (Pakistan)|Union councils]]
 }}
| territory = {{flag|Pakistan}}
}}

{{Politics of Pakistan}}

The '''administrative units of Pakistan''' comprise four [[province]]s, one [[federal territory]], and two [[territorial dispute|disputed territories]]: the provinces of [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]], [[Sindh]], [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]], and [[Balochistan, Pakistan|Balochistan]]; the [[Islamabad Capital Territory]]; and the administrative territories{{#tag:ref|Proclaimed as autonomous by the [[Government of Pakistan]].|group="Note"}} of [[Azad Kashmir|Azad Jammu and Kashmir]] and [[Gilgit-Baltistan|Gilgit–Baltistan]].{{#tag:ref|In November 2020, erstwhile Pakistani prime minister [[Imran Khan]] announced that Gilgit–Baltistan would attain "provisional provincial status" after the [[2020 Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly election|2020 assembly election]].<ref name="ProvisionalProvincialStatus1">{{cite web |title=Fifth province |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2270797/fifth-province |website=Fifth province {{pipe}} The Express Tribune |publisher=The Express Tribune |access-date=14 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109185546/https://tribune.com.pk/story/2270797/fifth-province |archive-date=9 November 2020 |date=2 November 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ProvisionalProvincialStatus2">{{cite web |title=Pakistani PM says he will upgrade status of part of Kashmir, angering India |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/pakistan-politics-kashmir/pakistani-pm-says-he-will-upgrade-status-of-part-of-kashmir-angering-india-idINKBN27H1FP |publisher=Reuters |access-date=14 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102040803/https://www.reuters.com/article/pakistan-politics-kashmir/pakistani-pm-says-he-will-upgrade-status-of-part-of-kashmir-angering-india-idINKBN27H1FP |archive-date=2 November 2020 |date=1 November 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ProvisionalProvincialStatus3">{{cite web |title=Gilgit-Baltistan to get provisional provincial status post-election: PM Imran |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/737641-gilgit-baltistan-to-get-provisional-provincial-status-post-election-pm-imran |website=[[The News International]] |location=Karachi |access-date=14 November 2020 |date=2 November 2020 |archive-date=14 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114231112/https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/737641-gilgit-baltistan-to-get-provisional-provincial-status-post-election-pm-imran |url-status=live }}</ref>|group="Note"}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=1998-07-20 |editor-last=Tikkanen |editor-first=Amy |editor2-last=Gorlinski |editor2-first=Virginia |editor3-last=Javed |editor3-first=Murtaza |editor4-last=Tesch |editor4-first=Noah |title=Azad Kashmir {{!}} quasi-state, Kashmir region, India-Pakistan |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Azad-Kashmir |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012065802/https://www.britannica.com/place/Azad-Kashmir |archive-date=2020-10-12 |access-date=2020-11-05 |website=Encyclopedia Britannica |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan: Between the Kashmir conflict and China |url=https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/pakistan-s-gilgit-baltistan-between-the-kashmir-conflict-and-china-40053 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104211548/https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/pakistan-s-gilgit-baltistan-between-the-kashmir-conflict-and-china-40053 |archive-date=4 November 2020 |access-date=2020-11-05 |website=Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan: Between the Kashmir conflict and China |language=en}}</ref> As part of the [[Kashmir conflict]] with neighbouring [[India]], Pakistan has also claimed sovereignty over the Indian-controlled territories of [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]] and [[Ladakh]] since the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948|First Kashmir War]] of 1947–1948. It also has a territorial dispute with India over [[Junagadh State|Junagadh]],<ref>{{cite news |last=Iwanek |first=Krzysztof |date=10 August 2020 |title= Why Did Pakistan Lay Claim to the Indian Territory of Junagadh? |url=https://thediplomat.com/2020/08/why-did-pakistan-lay-claim-to-the-indian-territory-of-junagadh/ |work=The Diplomat |access-date=25 July 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/mapcollection/2019/10/03/pakistan-india-and-mapping-the-contested-accession-of-south-asias-princely-states/  |title= Pakistan, India and mapping the contested accession of South Asia's princely states |last=Jagessar |first=Philip |date= 3 October 2019 |website= |publisher= University of Nottingham |access-date=25 July 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/world/pakistan-unveils-new-political-map-claiming-jammu-india-retorts/ |title=After Nepal, Pakistan unveils new political map; Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh claimed, India retorts |work=The Himalayan Times |date=4 August 2020 |access-date=25 July 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Noronha |first=Rahul |date=7 August 2020 |title=Why Pakistan has claimed Junagadh in its new political map |work=India Today |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/why-pakistan-has-claimed-junagadh-in-its-new-political-map-1708515-2020-08-06 |access-date=25 July 2024}}</ref> but has never exercised administrative authority over either regions. All of Pakistan's provinces and territories are subdivided into [[divisions of Pakistan|divisions]], which are further subdivided into [[districts of Pakistan|districts]], and then [[list of tehsils in Pakistan|tehsils]], which are again further subdivided into [[union council (Pakistan)|union councils]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/LIST%20OF%20DISTRICTS%20%26%20TEHSILS.pdf|title=List of Districts, Tehsils/Talukas|date=July 2014|website=Pakistan Bureau of Statistics|access-date=15 October 2016|archive-date=9 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009115713/http://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/LIST%20OF%20DISTRICTS%20%26%20TEHSILS.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

==History==
{{Main|Former administrative units of Pakistan}}

===Post-independence===
{{Disputed map|date=November 2024}}
[[File:Princely states of Pakistan map.gif|thumb|right|[[West Pakistan]] (pale yellow) as it was at the time of independence, with the independent princely states of 1947 in purple]]
[[Pakistan]] inherited the territory comprising its current provinces from [[British Raj|India]] following the [[Partition of India]] on [[Independence Day (Pakistan)|14 August 1947]]. Two days after independence, the [[Muslims|Muslim]]-majority [[Murshidabad district]] in [[Bengal]] was moved out of the [[Dominion of Pakistan]] and put within the [[Dominion of India]] due to a boundary adjustment by the [[Radcliffe Line|Radcliffe Commission]] which was aimed at keeping the [[Hooghly River]] entirely within India.<ref name="Murshidabad Govt Website">{{Cite web |url=http://murshidabad.gov.in/ |title=Murshidabad Govt Website |access-date=17 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716073018/http://murshidabad.gov.in/ |archive-date=16 July 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Chatterji|first1=Joya|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FjQ0iWSq2R0C&pg=PA59|title=The Spoils of Partition: Bengal and India, 1947–1967|date=2007|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=9781139468305|page=59|language=en|access-date=21 June 2019|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203647/https://books.google.com/books?id=FjQ0iWSq2R0C&pg=PA59|url-status=live}}</ref> At its inception, Pakistan consisted of two wings, which were separated from each other by around {{Convert|1600|km|mi}} of Indian territory. The western wing consisted of a merger of the [[North-West Frontier Province]], [[West Punjab]], [[Sind Province (1936–55)|Sind Province]], and [[Baluchistan (Chief Commissioner's Province)|Baluchistan CCP]]. The eastern wing consisted of [[East Bengal]]. What later became the [[Princely states of Pakistan]] chose at first to remain independent.

In 1948, [[Karachi]] was separated from Sind Province to form the [[Federal Capital Territory (Pakistan)|Federal Capital Territory]]. In 1950, the North-West Frontier Province absorbed the princely states of [[Amb (princely state)|Amb]] and [[Phulra]] while West Punjab (designated 'West' to distinguish it from India's [[East Punjab|Punjab in the east]]) was renamed to simply [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]]. In 1952, the four princely states in the southwest formed the [[Baluchistan States Union]].

In 1955, the ''[[One Unit]]'' policy was launched by then-[[Prime Minister of Pakistan|Prime Minister]] [[Mohammad Ali Bogra|Muhammad Ali Bogra]], whereby all the provinces and princely states of the western wing were merged to form the provincial wing of [[West Pakistan]], with [[Lahore]] serving as its provincial capital. Simultaneously, East Bengal was redesignated as [[East Pakistan]], with [[Dhaka|Dacca]] serving as its provincial capital. The One Unit policy aimed to reduce expenditure and to eliminate provincial prejudices, but the [[1958 Pakistani coup d'état|military coup of 1958]] brought difficulties when the [[Military coups in Pakistan|first military President]], [[Ayub Khan (general)|Ayub Khan]], abolished the office of the [[West Pakistan#Governor and chief minister|Chief Minister of West Pakistan in favour of Governor rule]].

On 7 September 1958, after four years of negotiations (including six months of intense negotiations), Pakistan purchased the [[Enclave and exclave|enclave]] of [[Gwadar]] from [[Muscat and Oman|Oman]] for {{Nowrap|[[Pakistani rupee|₨.]]5.5 billion ([[United States dollar|US$]]3 million; approximately $22,410,311.42 in 2017)}}.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Harris|first=Matt|date=2019-02-11|title=Who Purchased Gwadar?|url=https://www.cpicglobal.com/who-purchased-gwadar/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-11|website=CPIC Global|language=en-GB|archive-date=26 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126015550/https://www.cpicglobal.com/who-purchased-gwadar/}}</ref> Gwadar formally became a part of Pakistan on 8 December 1958, ending 174 years of Omani rule. In 1960, the federal capital was moved from Karachi to [[Rawalpindi]] and in 1961, the Federal Capital Territory was also merged into West Pakistan. In 1966, the capital was again moved to the newly constructed city of [[Islamabad]]. In 1962, Dacca was made the legislative capital of the country due to East Pakistan's high population.<ref>{{cite book|title=Pakistan Affairs|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hFIdAQAAMAAJ|year=1968|publisher=Information Division, Embassy of Pakistan.|page=19|access-date=3 November 2019|archive-date=23 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191223091257/https://books.google.com/books?id=hFIdAQAAMAAJ|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the [[Sino-Pakistan Agreement|1963 Sino–Pakistan Agreement]], a part of the [[Gilgit Agency]] (controlled by Pakistan since the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948|First Kashmir War]]) was formally relinquished by Pakistan to the [[China|People's Republic of China]] (the [[Trans-Karakoram Tract|Trans-Karakoram Tract/Shaksgam Valley]] in northeastern [[Kashmir]]) with the provision that the settlement was subject to the final solution of the [[Kashmir conflict|Kashmir dispute]] between [[India]] and Pakistan.

===Since 1970===
In 1970, the second military [[President of Pakistan|President]], [[Yahya Khan]], abolished the political structure of West Pakistan and established four new provinces: [[Sindh]], Punjab, [[Balochistan, Pakistan|Balochistan]] and the North-West Frontier Province. In 1971, the [[Bengalis|Bengali]]-majority wing of East Pakistan [[Secession|seceded]] from the Pakistani union following the [[Bangladesh Liberation War]], consequently forming the independent [[Bangladesh|People's Republic of Bangladesh]]. In 1974, the remaining princely states of [[Hunza (princely state)|Hunza]] and [[Nagar (princely state)|Nagar]] were abolished and their territories merged into the [[Gilgit Agency]], following which the [[Gilgit-Baltistan|Northern Areas]] were formed. In 1975, portions of the districts of [[Peshawar District|Peshawar]] and [[Dera Ismail Khan District|Dera Ismail Khan]] were separated to form the [[Federally Administered Tribal Areas]]. In 1981, the region surrounding Islamabad was separated from Punjab province, and renamed to the [[Islamabad Capital Territory]].

In August 2000, [[Divisions of Pakistan|divisions]] were abolished as part of a plan to restructure [[Local government in Pakistan|local governments]], followed by elections in 2001. Many of the functions previously handled at a provincial level had been transferred to individual [[Districts of Pakistan|districts]] and [[tehsil]]s. In 2008, the government restored the former divisions and appointed commissioners.

In 2009, the Northern Areas were renamed to Gilgit-Baltistan, and retained its formal status as an [[Autonomous administrative division|autonomous territory]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Northern Areas renamed Gilgit-Baltistan Poll for assembly, CM in Nov Regional groups unhappy: Autonomy package for NAs approved|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/851176|work=DAWN|date=August 30, 2009|access-date=8 May 2018|archive-date=8 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180508185655/https://www.dawn.com/news/851176|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Disputed Northern Areas renamed as Gilgit-Baltistan|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world/disputed-northern-areas-renamed-as-gilgit-baltistan/story-qickZAJF82JoXg1CnzZJsJ.html|work=Hindustan Times|date=Aug 30, 2009|access-date=3 November 2019|archive-date=3 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103103232/https://www.hindustantimes.com/world/disputed-northern-areas-renamed-as-gilgit-baltistan/story-qickZAJF82JoXg1CnzZJsJ.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2010, the North-West Frontier Province was formally renamed to [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]].<ref>{{cite news|title=From NWFP to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/854215|work=DAWN|date=April 1, 2010|access-date=8 May 2018|archive-date=8 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180508185415/https://www.dawn.com/news/854215|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2018, the [[National Assembly of Pakistan]] and [[Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Assembly]] passed the historic ''FATA Merger Bill'' with the [[Twenty-fifth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan|Twenty-Fifth Constitutional Amendment]]. On 31 May 2018, the final step in the merger of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was completed, as then-President [[Mamnoon Hussain]] signed the 25th Constitutional Amendment Bill into law. The amendment's signing abolished the Federally Administered Tribal Areas as a separate political entity and merged them into the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1720162/1-jui-f-stages-protest-outside-k-p-assembly-ahead-vote-31st-amendment-bill/|title=New dawn for FATA as K-P approves merger - The Express Tribune|date=27 May 2018|access-date=27 May 2018|archive-date=27 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180527091009/https://tribune.com.pk/story/1720162/1-jui-f-stages-protest-outside-k-p-assembly-ahead-vote-31st-amendment-bill/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1410351|title=KP Assembly approves landmark bill merging Fata with province|first=Arif|last=Hayat|date=27 May 2018|access-date=27 May 2018|archive-date=27 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180527130911/https://www.dawn.com/news/1410351|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1411156/president-signs-kp-fata-merger-bill-into-law|title=President signs KP-Fata merger bill into law|first=Amir|last=Wasim|date=31 May 2018|access-date=31 May 2018|archive-date=31 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180531112516/https://www.dawn.com/news/1411156/president-signs-kp-fata-merger-bill-into-law|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Tiers of governance==
{{main|Local government in Pakistan}}

The diagram below outlines the six tiers of government:

{{Tree chart/start}}
{{Tree chart|}}
{{Tree chart| | | FED | FED='''Country'''<br>(i.e. [[Pakistan]])}}
{{Tree chart| | | |!| | | | | }}
{{Tree chart| | | PRO | PRO='''Province'''<br>(e.g. [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab Province]])}}
{{Tree chart| | | |!| | | | | }}
{{Tree chart| | | DIV | DIV=[[Divisions of Pakistan|'''Division''']]<br>(e.g. [[Rawalpindi Division]])}}
{{Tree chart| | | |!| | | | | }}
{{Tree chart| | | DIS | DIS=[[Districts of Pakistan|'''District''']]<br>(e.g. [[Jhelum District]])}}
{{Tree chart| | | |!| | | | | }}
{{Tree chart| | | TEH | TEH='''[[Tehsil]]'''<br>(e.g. [[Sohawa Tehsil]])}}
{{Tree chart| | | |!| | | | | }}
{{Tree chart| | | UNC | UNC=[[Union councils of Pakistan|'''Union Council''']]<br>(e.g. [[Domeli|Domeli U.C.]])}}
{{Tree chart|}}
{{Tree chart/end}}

=== Division ===
{{Main|Divisions of Pakistan}}
The Provinces and administrative territories of Pakistan are subdivided into administrative "divisions", Divisional Commissioner is the administrative head of a division. Divisional Commissioner is appointed by the government of Pakistan from [[Pakistan Administrative Service]]

=== District ===
{{Main|Districts of Pakistan}}
The District Coordination Officer is the administrative head of the District Administration. They have wide-ranging responsibility for overseeing, improving and directing the approved plans of the District Government.<ref>[http://www.nrb.gov.pk/local_government/district_government_05.htm DCO job description] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130430030015/http://www.nrb.gov.pk/local_government/district_government_05.htm |date=2013-04-30 }}</ref>

The Zila Nazim used to be the executive head of the District Administration until 2010 when the government gave their powers to the District Coordination Officers also. Their role is similar to district [[governor]] or [[prefect]], with responsibility for implementing government strategy and developing initiatives arising out of it.<ref>[http://www.nrb.gov.pk/local_government/district_government_01.htm Zila Nazim job description] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070704031120/http://www.nrb.gov.pk/local_government/district_government_01.htm |date=2007-07-04 }}</ref>

In order to decentralize administrative and financial authority to be accountable to Local Governments, for good governance, effective delivery of services, and transparent decision making through institutionalized participation of the people at grassroots level, elections to the local government institutions are held after every four years on none party basis by the Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan.

=== Tehsil ===
{{Main|Tehsils of Pakistan}}
Among the three tiers of local government, tehsil government is the second tier. It is where the functions, responsibilities, and authorities of districts government are divided into smaller units, these units are known as "tehsils". The tehsils are used all over Pakistan except Sindh province where the word "taluka" is used instead, although the functions and authorities are the same. The head of the Tehsil government is "Tehsil Nazim" who is assisted by the tehsil Naib-Nazim. Every tehsil has a [[Tehsil Municipal Administration]], consisting of a tehsil council, Tehsil Nazim, tehsil/taluka municipal officer (TMO), chief officer and other officials of the local council.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Administrative-Structure-of-the-Tehsil-Municipal-Administration_fig3_253292593|title=Administrative Structure of the Tehsil Municipal Administration|website=ResearchGate|last1=Ebel|first1=Robert E.|date=January 2006|accessdate=September 6, 2020|archive-date=11 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711184759/https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Administrative-Structure-of-the-Tehsil-Municipal-Administration_fig3_253292593|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Union council ===
{{Main|Union councils of Pakistan}}
Members of the union council including Union Administrator and Vice Union Administrator are elected through direct elections based on adult franchise and on the basis of joint electorate. However, for the election to the reserved seats for women in Zila Council proportionately divided among tehsils or towns shall be all members of the union councils in a tehsil or town. It is the responsibility of the Chief Election Commissioner to organize and conduct these elections.

==Current administrative units==
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:right;"
|-
!
! Name (English)
! Abbr.
! Capital and<br> largest city
! class="unsortable" | Emblem
! class="unsortable" | Flag
! class="unsortable" | Map
! Map Key
|-
|
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Azad Kashmir|Azad Jammu and Kashmir]]{{efn|name=disputed|Disputed with India.}}
| style="text-align:center;" | AJK
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Muzaffarabad]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:State Seal of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (Pakistan).png|60px]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Flag of Azad Kashmir.svg|border|50px]]
| [[File:Azad Kashmir in Pakistan (claims hatched).svg|120px]]
| 6
|-
|
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Balochistan, Pakistan|Balochistan]]
| style="text-align:center;" | BA
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Quetta]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Coat of arms of Balochistan.svg|60px]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Flag of Balochistan.svg|border|50px]]
| [[File:Balochistan in Pakistan (claims hatched).svg|120px]]
| 1
|-
|
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Gilgit-Baltistan]]{{efn|name=disputed|Disputed with India.}}
| style="text-align:center;" | GB
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Gilgit]]
| style="text-align:center;" | 
| style="text-align:center;" | 
| [[File:Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan (de-facto + wo Glacier) (claims hatched).svg|120px]]
| 7
|-
|
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Islamabad Capital Territory]]
| style="text-align:center;" | IS / ICT
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Islamabad]]
| style="text-align:center;" |N/A
| style="text-align:center;" |N/A
| [[File:Islamabad Capital Territory in Pakistan (special marker) (claims hatched).svg|120px]]
| 5
|-
|
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]
| style="text-align:center;" | KP / KPK
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Peshawar]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Coat of arms of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.svg|60px]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Flag of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.svg|border|50px]]
| [[File:Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan (claims hatched).svg|120px]]
| 2
|-
|
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]]
| style="text-align:center;" | PB
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Lahore]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Coat of arms of Punjab.svg|60px]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Flag of Punjab.svg|border|50px]]
| [[File:Punjab in Pakistan (claims hatched).svg|120px]]
| 3
|-
|
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Sindh]]
| style="text-align:center;" | SD
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Karachi]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Coat of arms of Sindh Province.svg|60px]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Flag of Sindh.svg|border|50px]]
| [[File:Sindh in Pakistan (claims hatched).svg|120px]]
| 4
|- class="sortbottom"
!
! style="text-align:left;" | [[Pakistan]]
! style="text-align:center;" | PAK
! style="text-align:left;" | Islamabad
! style="text-align:center;" | [[File:State emblem of Pakistan.svg|60px]]
! style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Flag of Pakistan.svg|border|50px]]
! [[File:Pakistan adm location map.svg|120px]]
! 
|}

Note: (a) 2023 Population total excludes Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan

==Uncontrolled administrative units==
{{see also|Kashmir conflict|Annexation of Junagadh}}
{{static row numbers}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:right;"
|-
!
! Name (English)
! Capital and<br> largest city
! class="unsortable" | Emblem
! class="unsortable" | Flag
! class="unsortable" | Map
|-
|
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]]{{efn|name=disputed|Disputed with India.}}
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Srinagar]]
| style="text-align:center;" | N/A
| style="text-align:center;" | N/A
| [[File:Indian administered Kashmir in Pakistan (claims hatched).svg|120px]]
|-
|
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Junagadh State|Junagadh]]{{efn|name=disputed|Disputed with India.}}
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Junagadh]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Junaghad State Emblem 1947.png|60px]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:State Flag of Junaghad.jpg|border|50px]]
| [[File:Junaghad state.jpg|120px]]
|}

==At independence==
===(i) Provinces of Pakistan===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! Name
! Capital
! class="unsortable" | Emblem
! class="unsortable" | Flag
! class="unsortable" | Map
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[East Bengal]]<br>{{nastaliq|مشرقی بنگال}}<br>পূর্ব বাংলা
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Dacca]]<br>{{nastaliq|ڈھاکہ}}<br>ঢাকা
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Emblem of East Bengal (1947-1955).svg|60px]]
| style="text-align:center;" | ''None''
| [[File:East Bengal Map.png|60px]]
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[West Punjab]]<br>{{nastaliq|مغربی پنجاب}}<br>পশ্চিম পাঞ্জাব
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Lahore]]<br>{{nastaliq|لاہور}}<br>লাহোর
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Coat of arms of Punjab.svg|60px]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Flag of Punjab.svg|50px]]
| [[File:West Punjab map.gif|60px]]
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Sind Province (1936–1955)|Sind]]<br>{{nastaliq|سندھ}}<br>সিন্ধু
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Hyderabad, Sindh|Hyderabad]]<br>{{Nastaliq|حیدر آباد}}<br>হায়দ্রাবাদ
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Coat of arms of Sindh Province.svg|60px]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Flag of Sindh.svg|50px]]
| [[File:Sind (1936-1955) map.gif|60px]]
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[North-West Frontier Province|North-West Frontier]]<br>{{nastaliq|شمال مغربی سرحدی}}<br>উত্তর-পশ্চিম সীমান্ত 
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Peshawar]]<br>{{nastaliq|پشاور}}<br>পেশাওয়ার
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Coat of arms of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.svg|60px]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Flag of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.svg|50px]]
| [[File:NWFP (1901-1955) map.gif|60px]]
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Baluchistan (Chief Commissioner's Province)|Baluchistan]]<br>{{nastaliq|بلوچستان}}<br>বেলুচিস্তান
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Quetta]]<br>{{nastaliq|کوئٹہ}}<br>কোয়েটা
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Coat of arms of Balochistan.svg|60px]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Flag of Balochistan.svg|50px]]
| [[File:Baluchistan CCP map.png|60px]]
|}

===(ii) Federal Capital Territory of Pakistan===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! Name
! Capital
! class="unsortable" | Emblem
! class="unsortable" | Flag
! class="unsortable" | Map
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Federal Capital Territory (Pakistan)|Federal Capital Territory]]<br>{{nastaliq|وفاقی دارالحکومت}}<br>বেফাকী রাজধানী এলাকা
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Karachi]]<br>{{nastaliq|کراچی}}<br>করাচী
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Emblem of Pakistan (1954-1972).svg|60px|Emblem of Federal Capital Territory]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Flag of Pakistan.svg|75px|Flag of Federal Capital Territory]]
| [[File:FCT Pakistan map.gif|60px|Federal Capital Territory]]
|}

===(iii) Princely States of Pakistan===
{{Main|Princely states of Pakistan}}
Between August 1947 and March 1948, the rulers of the following [[princely states]] (which had existed alongside but outside [[British India]]) [[Instrument of Accession|acceded]] their states to Pakistan, giving up control of their external affairs, while all retaining internal self-government, at least to begin with. This was lost by stages, until by 1974 all of the states had been fully integrated into Pakistan.
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! Name
! Capital
! class="unsortable" | Coat of arms
! class="unsortable" | Flag
! class="unsortable" | Map
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Bahawalpur (princely state)|Bahawalpur]]<br>{{nastaliq|بہاولپور}}<br>বাহাওয়ালপুর
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Bahawalpur]]<br>{{nastaliq|بہاولپور}}<br>বাহাওয়ালপুর
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Coat of arms of State of Bahawalpur.svg|60px]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Flag of State of Bahawalpur.svg|50px]]
| [[File:Bahawalpur map.png|60px]]
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Khairpur (princely state)|Khairpur]]<br>{{nastaliq|خیرپور}}<br>খয়েরপুর
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Khairpur]]<br>{{nastaliq|خیرپور}}<br>খয়েরপুর
| style="text-align:center;" | ''None''
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Khairpurflag.png|50px]]
| [[File:Khairpur map.gif|60px]]
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Khanate of Kalat|Kalat]]<br>{{nastaliq|قلات}}<br>কালাত
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Kalat, Balochistan|Kalat]]<br>{{nastaliq|قلات}}<br>কালাত
| style="text-align:center;" | ''None''
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:FlagofKalat.svg|50px]]
| [[File:Kalat Pakistan.jpg|60px]]
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Las Bela (princely state)|Las Bela]]<br>{{nastaliq|لاس بیلا۔}}<br>লাস বেলা
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Bela, Pakistan|Bela]]<br>{{nastaliq|بݔلہ}}<br>বেলা
| style="text-align:center;" | ''None''
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Flag of the State of Las Bela.svg|50px]]
| [[File:Las Bela Map.gif|60px]]
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Kharan (princely state)|Kharan]]<br>{{nastaliq|خاران}}<br>খারান
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Kharan, Pakistan|Kharan]]<br>{{nastaliq|خاران}}<br>খারান
| style="text-align:center;" | ''None''
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Flag of the State of Kharan.svg|50px]]
| [[File:Kharan Map.gif|60px]]
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Makran (princely state)|Makran]]<br>{{nastaliq|مکران}}<br>মাকরন
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Turbat|Kech]]<br>{{nastaliq|کیچ}}<br>কেচ
| style="text-align:center;" | ''None''
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Flag of Makran (Princely State).svg|50px]]
| [[File:Makran Map.gif|60px]]
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Phulra]]<br>{{nastaliq|پھلرا}}<br>ফুলরা
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Amb, Pakistan|Amb]]<br>{{nastaliq|امب}}<br>আমবা
| style="text-align:center;" | ''None''
| style="text-align:center;" | ''None''
| [[File:Phulra map.gif|60px]]
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Amb (princely state)|Amb]]<br>{{nastaliq|امب}}<br>আমবা
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Shergarh, Mansehra|Shergard]]<br>{{nastaliq|شیر گڑھ}}<br>শেরগড়
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Amb state 123.JPG|60px]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Flag of the State of Amb.svg|50px]]
| [[File:Amb map.png|60px]]
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Swat (princely state)|Swat]]<br>{{nastaliq|سوات}}<br>সোয়াত
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Saidu Sharif]]<br>{{nastaliq|سیدو شریف}}<br>সাইদু শরীফ
| style="text-align:center;" | ''None''
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Flag of Swat.svg|50px]]
| [[File:Swat map.gif|60px]]
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Dir (princely state)|Dir]]<br>{{nastaliq|دیر}}<br>দির
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Dir (city)|Dir]]<br>{{nastaliq|دیر}}<br>দির
| style="text-align:center;" | ''None''
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Flag of the State of Dir 2.svg|50px]]
| [[File:Dir map.png|60px]]
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Chitral (princely state)|Chitral]]<br>{{nastaliq|چترال}}<br>চিত্রল
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Buni]]<br>{{nastaliq|بنی}}<br>বুনি
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Coat of arms of State of Chitral.svg|60px]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Flag of State of Chitral.svg|50px]]
| [[File:Chitral map.png|60px]]
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Hunza (princely state)|Hunza]]<br>{{nastaliq|ہنزہ}}<br>হুনজা
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Karimabad, Gilgit-Baltistan|Baltit]]<br>{{nastaliq|بلتیت}}<br>বাল্টিট
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Coat of arms of Hunza.svg|60px]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Flag of Hunza.svg|50px]]
| [[File:Locator map of GBA-6 (Hunza).png|60px]]
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Nagar (princely state)|Nagar]]<br>{{nastaliq|نگر}}<br>নগর
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Nagarkhas]]<br>{{nastaliq|نگرخاس}}<br>নগরখাস
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Nagar state logo.png|60px]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Nagar State Flag.png|50px]]
| [[File:Nagar Map.gif|60px]]
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Gilgit Agency|Gilgit]]<br>{{nastaliq|گلگت ایجنسی}}<br>গিলগিট রাষ্ট্রসংস্থা
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Gilgit]]<br>{{nastaliq|گلگت}}<br>গিলগিট
| style="text-align:center;" | ''None''
| style="text-align:center;" | ''None''
| [[File:Gilgit Agency map.gif|60px]]
|}

==Proposed provinces==
* [[Bahawalpur Province]]
* [[Saraikistan|South Punjab Province]]
* [[South Balochistan Province|South Balochistan]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=A new province in south Balochistan?|url=https://www.thefridaytimes.com/a-new-province-in-south-balochistan/%3famp=1|access-date=2021-09-12|website=www.thefridaytimes.com|language=en}}</ref> 
* [[Karachi|Karachi Province]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1079781|title=Karachi as a province|first=S. Akbar|last=Zaidi|date=11 January 2014|access-date=31 May 2018|archive-date=13 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513171145/https://www.dawn.com/news/1079781|url-status=live}}</ref> / [[Jinnahpur|Jinnahpur Province]]
* [[Hazara province movement|Hazara Province]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1409134|title=TSH to shut Hazara after Eid|first=|last=|work=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]|date=22 May 2018|access-date=31 May 2018|archive-date=22 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522065819/https://www.dawn.com/news/1409134|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.brecorder.com/2018/05/08/416588/treasury-benches-demand-appreciation-opposition-criticize-govt-for-ignoring-development/|title=Treasury benches demand appreciation, opposition criticize govt for ignoring development -|date=8 May 2018|access-date=31 May 2018|archive-date=20 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620153549/https://www.brecorder.com/2018/05/08/416588/treasury-benches-demand-appreciation-opposition-criticize-govt-for-ignoring-development/|url-status=live}}</ref>	
* [[Gilgit-Baltistan|Gilgit-Baltistan Province]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/gilgitbaltistan-a-question-of-autonomy/519428/2|title=Gilgit-Baltistan: A question of autonomy|last=Singh|first=Pallavi|date=29 April 2010|work=The Indian Express|quote=But it falls short of the main demand of the people of Gilgit- Baltistan for a constitutional status to the region as a fifth province and for Pakistani citizenship to its people.|access-date=27 December 2016|archive-date=20 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320001447/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/gilgitbaltistan-a-question-of-autonomy/519428/2|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-election-idUSTRE5AB1ZE20091112|title=Pakistan's disputed Northern Areas go to polls|last=Shigri|first=Manzar|date=12 November 2009|work=Reuters|quote=Many of the 1.5 million people of Gilgit-Baltistan oppose integration into Kashmir and want their area to be merged into Pakistan and declared a separate province.|access-date=27 December 2016|archive-date=27 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227130945/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-election-idUSTRE5AB1ZE20091112|url-status=live}}</ref> / [[Balawaristan|Balawaristan Province]] / [[Karakoram Province]]
* [[Divisions of Pakistan|Review of the Divisions of Pakistan for New Provinces]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=Babakhel|first=Mohammad Ali|date=2019-01-16|title=New provinces?|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1457865|access-date=2020-11-06|website=DAWN.COM|language=en|archive-date=16 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616055726/https://www.dawn.com/news/1457865|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1905813/6-new-provincial-map-pakistan|title=A new provincial map of Pakistan?|work=The Express Tribune|date=7 February 2019 |access-date=5 January 2021|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624215854/https://tribune.com.pk/story/1905813/6-new-provincial-map-pakistan|url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Pakistan}}
* [[Abbreviations of administrative units of Pakistan]]
* [[Cantonment (Pakistan)]], permanent military stations, which may include significant civilian populations
* [[Former administrative units of Pakistan]]
* [[Princely states of Pakistan|Former princely states of Pakistan]]
* [[ISO 3166-2:PK]]
* [[List of administrative units of Pakistan by Human Development Index]]
* [[List of capitals in Pakistan]]
* [[List of cities in Pakistan by population]]
* [[List of Pakistani administrative units by gross state product]]
* [[List of Pakistani administrative divisions by highest elevation]]
* [[Local government in Pakistan]]
** [[Divisions of Pakistan]]
** [[Districts of Pakistan]]
** [[List of tehsils in Pakistan|Tehsils of Pakistan]]
** [[Union council (Pakistan)|Union councils of Pakistan]]

==Notes==
{{reflist|group="Note"}}
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.ajk.gov.pk/ Government of Azad Jammu & Kashmir]
* [http://www.balochistan.gov.pk/ Government of Balochistan]
* [http://gilgitbaltistan.gov.pk/ Government of Gilgit-Baltistan]
* [http://www.islamabad.gov.pk/ Government of Islamabad Capital Territory] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081122033707/http://www.islamabad.gov.pk/ |date=22 November 2008 }}
* [http://www.khyberpakhtunkhwa.gov.pk/ Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]
* [http://www.punjab.gov.pk/ Government of Punjab]
* [http://www.sindh.gov.pk/ Government of Sindh] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130531075317/http://www.sindh.gov.pk/ |date=31 May 2013 }}

{{Administrative units of Pakistan}}
{{Articles on first-level administrative divisions of Asian countries}}
{{Geography of Pakistan}}
{{Pakistan topics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Administrative units of Pakistan}}
[[Category:Subdivisions of Pakistan|*]]