Administrative structure of the Islamic Republic Pakistan is based on the 1973 Constitution and its amendments. Under this Constitution, Pakistan has been declared a Republic with Islam as its state religion.
Islamic Republic of Pakistan consists of the following area:
i. Federal Capital Islamabad and adjoining areas.
ii. Province of the Punjab.
iii. Province of Sindh.
iv. Province of Khayber Pakhtunkhawa (KPK). At the time of Constitution making (1973), this province was known as North Western Frontier Province (NWFP). Under 18th constitutional amendment (2010) the province was renamed as Khayber Pakhtunkhawa (KPK). Since the British period a vast area adjacent to the province was known as Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA). In May 2018, the National Assembly of Pakistan voted for the merger of the FATA into KPK. Shortly after as a result of the approval of the KPK provincial assembly and the president of Pakistan FATA became a part of KPK province.
v. Province of Baluchistan.
vi. Gilgit-Baltistan: An administrative unit was formed in 1970 by the merger of Gilgit agency, Baltistan and several small and large princely states. This unit was named "Northern Areas". In 2009 under a self-governance ordinance "Northern Areas" was renamed as "Gilgit-Baltistan". Now "Gilgit-Baltistan" is an administrative unit run by an elected assembly and a governor, however, it does not have the status of a province.
Division of Powers
All federal systems are based on the principle of division of powers among the federating units (Provinces) and the federal government (or the central government). Another essential component of a federation is a formula stipulating what subjects are to be controlled by the centre and what subjects shall be under provincial control. Under the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan division of powers between the provinces and the centre has been made on the basis of two lists;
i. Federal List: This list contains the subjects on which only the Federal Parliament can legislate. Important matters enumerated in this list are following:
Armed Forces, Covenants, Banking, Currency, Foreign Exchange, Nuclear Energy, Planning, Citizenship, Foreign Affairs and Communications.
ii. Concurrent List: National Parliament and Provincial Assemblies have an equal jurisdiction regarding the subjects mentioned in this list. Following are the important matters enumerated in this list:
Health, Education, Criminal and Civil Law, Armament, Family Planning, Irrigation, Newspapers, Zakat, Tourism and Archives.
iii. Residuary Subjects: The Subjects not included in any of these lists are called 'residuary subjects. Provincial Assemblies are entitled to legislate on the subject falling in this category.
