Geography: Class 8

The City School

Handout 1: Topic: Location of Pakistan/ Our Regional Neighbours
Subtopic: Administrative Areas of Pakistan

Learning Objective:
1.2.2: Recall the administrative units of Pakistan
Administrative Areas of Pakistan:

Administrative zones of a country refer to the territorial divisions created for administrative purposes to
efficiently manage and govern the country. These zones are designed to streamline governance, public
services, and decision-making at different levels of government. The specific names and structures of
administrative zones can vary widely from country to country. Pakistan is divided into four provinces, two
autonomous territories, and the federal territory. Here are the administrative areas of Pakistan:

1. Punjab: Punjab, province of eastern Pakistan. It is bordered by the Indian illegally occupied Jammu and
Kashmir to the northeast, the Indian states of Punjab and Rajasthan to the east, Sindh province to the south,
Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces to the west, and Islamabad federal capital area and Azad
Kashmir to the north. The provincial capital, Lahore, is located in the east-central region, near the border with
India. The name Punjab means “five waters,” or “five rivers,” and signifies the land drained by the Jhelum,
Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej rivers, which are tributaries of the Indus River. Punjab is Pakistan’s second
largest province, after Balochistan, and the most densely populated. Area 79,284 square miles (205,345
square km). Pop. (2011 est.) 91,379,615. Agriculture is the chief source of income and employment in Punjab.
Much of the province once consisted of desert wastes that were unfavorable for settlement, but its character
changed after an extensive network of irrigation canals was built in the early 20th century using the waters of
the Indus tributaries.

2. Sindh: Sindh, also spelled Sind, province of southeastern Pakistan. It is bordered by the provinces of
Balochistan on the west and north, Punjab on the northeast, the Indian states of Rajasthan and Gujarat to the
east, and the Arabian Sea to the south. Sindh is essentially part of the Indus River delta and has derived its
name from that river, which is known in Pakistan as the Sindhu. The province of Sindh was established in
1970. The provincial capital, Karachi, is situated on the southwestern coast.

3. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP): Formerly known as North-West Frontier Province, northernmost province of
Pakistan. It is bounded by Afghanistan to the west and north, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan (the Pakistani-
administered areas of the Kashmir region) to the east and northeast, Punjab province to the southeast, and
Balochistan province to the southwest. On the western boundary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, along the Afghan
border, are the areas formerly known as the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), a series of areas that

The City School Academics

 Geography: Class 8

The City School

are ethnically homogeneous with the province but were semiautonomous until 2018. Peshawar is the
provincial capital.

4. Balochistan: This is the westernmost province of Pakistan. It is bordered by Iran (west), by Afghanistan
(northwest), by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab provinces (northeast and east), by Sindh province
(southeast), and by the Arabian Sea (south). There are four major physical regions in Balochistan. The upper
highlands of the central and northeastern areas are bounded by the Sulaiman Range to the east and the Toba
Kakar Range to the northwest. The lower highlands include the eastern slopes of the Sulaiman Range; the
lower ranges of the Makran, Kharan, and Chagai on the west; and the Pab and Kirthar ranges on the
southeast. These highland regions are primarily inhabited by nomadic herdsmen. Flat plains extend
northward along the coast into the mountains; in the northwest an arid desert region consists of the Chagai,
Kharan, and Makran deserts and the swamps of Lora and Mashkel.

5. Federal Territory: Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT): ICT stands for Islamabad Capital Territory. It is the
federal territory of Pakistan and serves as the capital city of the country. Islamabad is the political,
administrative, and diplomatic hub of Pakistan. Islamabad is the capital city of Pakistan and is located within
the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT). It was purposefully built as the capital to replace Karachi, which was the
original capital after Pakistan's independence in 1947. Islamabad Capital Territory has its own administrative
setup, headed by the Chief Commissioner. The federal government has direct control over the administration
of the territory. As the capital city, Islamabad is home to important government institutions, foreign
embassies, and diplomatic missions. The city is home to several prestigious educational institutions, including
universities, colleges, and research centers. Islamabad is often referred to as the "Green City" of Pakistan due
to its abundant greenery, parks, and tree-lined avenues. Islamabad's scenic beauty and modern infrastructure
make it an attractive destination for both local and international tourists.

6. Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK): Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), commonly known as Azad Kashmir, is a
self-governing administrative region in the northern part of Pakistan. It is situated to the west of the Indian-
occupied state of Jammu and Kashmir. Azad Jammu and Kashmir is located in the northern part of Pakistan,
sharing borders with the Indian- occupied Jammu and Kashmir to the east and northeast, Gilgit-Baltistan to
the north, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to the west, and the Punjab province to the south. Azad Jammu and Kashmir
is a self-governing administrative region, and its constitutional status is unique. It has its own government
and president, but it is not considered a province of Pakistan. The President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir is
the constitutional head of the region, while the Prime Minister is the head of the government. Azad Jammu
and Kashmir is characterized by its mountainous terrain, with the Himalayas to the northeast and the Pir
Panjal range to the northwest. The region is known for its scenic beauty, lush green valleys, and rivers.. Azad
Jammu and Kashmir is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors with its natural beauty, trekking
routes, and historical sites.

The City School Academics

 Geography: Class 8

The City School

7. Gilgit-Baltistan (GB): Gilgit-Baltistan is a region located in the northern part of Pakistan. It is a self-
governing administrative territory with its own government, but its constitutional status is somewhat unique
and subject to ongoing debates due to its complex geopolitical situation. Gilgit-Baltistan is situated in the
northernmost part of Pakistan, bordered by the Wakhan Corridor of Afghanistan to the northwest, China to
the north and northeast, Azad Jammu and Kashmir to the south, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) to the west.
Gilgit-Baltistan is known for its breathtaking landscapes, including high mountain peaks, glaciers, valleys, and
rivers. It is home to some of the world's highest peaks, including K2, the second-highest mountain on Earth.
As a result, the region is a popular destination for adventure tourism, trekking, and mountaineering.

Answer the following questions on your notebook:

Q1. What is the significance of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) in Pakistan's administrative structure?

_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Q2. Describe the unique status of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) as an administrative region.

_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Copy book:

Q3. Explain the role of provinces and their local governments in providing essential public services to the
people of Pakistan.

Q4. Compare and contrast the powers and responsibilities of provincial governments with the federal
government of Pakistan.

The City School Academics