Pakistan States and Capitals

Pakistan States and Capitals: Pakistan is a country in South Asia. Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, which is situated in the foothills of the Himalayas. It gained independence from British rule on August 14, 1947, becoming a predominantly Muslim country. It is noteworthy that, after the partition from India, this country originally comprised East Pakistan and West Pakistan. But in 1971, after the civil war erupted, West Pakistan was separated and became a new nation known as Bangladesh.

It is surrounded by Iran in the west, India in the east and southeast, Afghanistan in the northwest and north, and China in the northeast. It is surrounded by the Arabian Sea on its southern borders. Read below this article to find out complete information about the List of Pakistan states and their capitals.

Pakistan States and Capitals

Composition of Pakistan

It comprises four provinces (states) and one federal territory, i.e., Islamabad Capital Territory. Each state has its own government and capital.

S.No.	State (Provinces)	Capital
1.	Balochistan	Quetta
2.	Punjab	Lahore
3.	Sindh	Karachi
4.	Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK)	Peshawar
5.	Islamabd Capital Territory	———

1. Balochistan – Quetta

The state of Baluchistan is located in the western part of Pakistan and was established as a separate state in 1970. Ethically, it is dominated by the Baloch and Pathan (Pashtun) people. Its main languages are Balochi, Brahui, Pashto, and Sindhi. Quetta is the capital of the largest state in Pakistan.

Its capital, Quetta, is located in the heart of Balochistan. Locally, this city is known by its old name, i.e., Shal or Shalkot.

2. Punjab-Lahore

Punjab, with its capital Lahore, is a state in eastern Pakistan. The name Punjab signifies the water from five rivers that flow in this area. These five rivers constitute the Indus River, with its tributaries Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej. It is the second-largest state in Pakistan after Balochistan. It is the most populous state in Pakistan.

The capital, Lahore, is located in the east-central part of it. It is situated near the border with India. Prestigious institutions like the University of Punjab and the University of Engineering and Technology are situated in this capital. It is historically vibrant, with museums, libraries, and cultural centers.

Historically, this state has witnessed the reigns of the Maurya dynasty, Muslim conquests, Mughal rule, and Sikh ascendancy until British occupation in 1849. During the partition between India and Pakistan in 1947, the larger part of west Punjab was integrated into Pakistan. Its major cities are Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Multan, and Gujranwala. The main language in this state is Punjabi, while Urdu and English are secondary ones.

3. Sindh- Karachi

The state of Sindh, along with its capital, Karachi, is situated in the south-east part of Pakistan. Its borders are with Balochistan and Punjab on the Pakistani side and with Rajasthan and Gujarat on the Indian side.

The name Sindh derives its name from the Indus River, which was known as Sindhu. This state was the center of the ancient Indus Valley civilization. Some important archeological sites located in this state are Mohej—Daro, Amre, and Kot Diji. Historically, this state has been ruled by Persian, Greek, Mauryan, Kushan, and Arabs. Sindhi, Seraiki, and Balochi are the major indigenous languages in this state. After the formation of Pakistan as a nation, Urdu became the most common language, followed by Punjabi, Gujarati, and Rajasthani.

The city Karachi is the capital of Sindh as well as the largest city in Pakistan. This city is located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, Pakistan’s major port.

4. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK)—Peshawar

The state of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is situated in the north of Pakistan. Its capital is Peshawar. In 2018, some areas, previously known as Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), were also integrated into this state. This state is inhabited mainly by Pahtun, which comprises many tribes and clans. Its primary language is Pahto, whereas Punjabi predominates in some areas. Notably, the literacy rate in this state is lower than the national literacy rate of Pakistan.

Its capital, Peshawar, was the capital of the ancient Buddhist kingdom of Gandhara. The meaning of the name Peshawar is that it is a frontier town attributed to Akbar. Its significance also increases due to its presence near the Khyber Pass.

5. Islamabad Capital Territory

Islamabad became the capital city of Pakistan in 1959, replacing the earlier capital, Karachi. Its name, ‘Ismalabad’ signifies the’ City of Islam’ or the ‘City of Peace.’ It is a planned capital with an area of 350 square miles. It is divided into eight zones, such as administrative, diplomatic, residential, institutional, industrial, and commercial areas; a greenbelt; and a national park.

Conclusion

Pakistan is administered through four provinces (states) along with one federal territory. Each province in Pakistan has unique features and identities. The fertile land of Punjab, drained by five rivers, along with the historical importance of Sindh with the Indus Valley civilization, shows the diversification of the land. The proud heritage of Pashtun in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Blochistan’s diverse ethnic groups reflects the diversity in society. Meanwhile, the planned Islamabad stands for modernity with the message of peace.

FAQs: Pakistan States and their Capitals

1. Which province or state of Pakistan is related to the ancient Indus Valley Civilization?

Sindh province was the center of the ancient Indus Valley civilization.

2. Describe the administrative composition of Pakistan.

For administration purposes, Pakistan has been divided into four provinces (states) and one federal territory.

3. What is the historical significance of the Sindh province( state) of Pakistan?

Historically important archeological sites located in this state are Mohej—Daro, Amre, and Kot Diji. This state has been ruled by Persian, Greek, Maurya, Kushan, and Arab.

4. Which city in Balochistan province is known as Shal or Shalkot?

Quetta is known as Shal or Shalkot locally. It is the capital of Balochistan.

5. Describe the significance of the Punjab province of Pakistan.

The words signify the waters from five rivers. These five rivers are the Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej. Therefore, the drained area of Punjab is also fertile. It is the second-largest state in Pakistan.