Divisions of Sindh
| Divisions of Sindh | |
|---|---|
 Map of Divisions of Sindh | |
| Category | First Level administrative division |
| Location | Pakistan |
| Found in | Sindh |
| Number | 7 (as of 2022[1]) |
| Populations | Greatest: Karachi —16,051,521 (2017 census) Least: Banbhore —3,566,300 (2017 census) |
| Areas | Largest: Hyderabad — 33,527 km2 (12,945 sq mi) Smallest: Karachi —3,528 km2 (1,362 sq mi) |
| Government |
|
| Subdivisions | |
The divisions of Sindh (Urdu: سندھ کے ڈویژن), are the first-order administrative bodies of the Sindh Province of Pakistan. In total, there are 7 divisions, which are further divided into districts depending upon area. Divisions are governed by Commissioners while districts are governed by Deputy Commissioners.
History
Administrative divisions had formed an integral tier of government from colonial times. The Governor's provinces of British India were subdivided into divisions, which were themselves subdivided into districts. From 1955 to 1970, the One Unit policy meant that there were only two provinces – East and West Pakistan. East Pakistan had the same divisions as East Bengal had previously, but West Pakistan gradually gained seven new divisions to add to the original six. Most of the former Sind Province became Hyderabad Division, with some parts joining the princely state of Khairpur to form Khairpur Division. When West Pakistan was dissolved, the divisions were regrouped into four new provinces. Gradually over the late 1970s, new divisions were formed; The name of Khairpur Division was changed to Sukkur Division.
In the recent past (i.e. in last three decades), Larkana Division and Shaheed Benazirabad Division[2] were split from Sukkur Division; Mirpur Khas Division and Banbhore Division[3] were split from Hyderabad Division.
In August 2000, local government reforms abolished the "Division" as an administrative tier and introduced a system of local government councils, with the first elections held in 2001. Following that there was radical restructuring of the local government system to implement "the principle of subsidiarity, whereby all functions that can be effectively performed at the local level are transferred to that level". This meant devolution of many functions, to districts and tehsils, which were previously handled at the provincial and divisional levels. At abolition, there were five divisions in Sindh.
In 2008, after the public elections, the new government decided to restore the divisions of all provinces.[4]
In Sindh after the lapse of the Local Governments Bodies term in 2010 the Divisional Commissioners system was to be restored.[5][6]
In July 2011, following excessive violence in the city of Karachi and after the political split between the ruling PPP and the majority party in Sindh, the MQM and after the resignation of the MQM Governor of Sindh, PPP and the Govt. of Sindh decided to restore the commissioner system in the province. As a consequence, the five divisions of Sindh have been restored namely, Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Mirpurkhas and Larkana with their respective districts. As mentioned earlier, two new divisions added in Sindh i.e. Bhanbore and Shaheed Benazirabad divisions.[7]
Karachi district has been de-merged into its 5 original constituent districts namely Karachi East, Karachi West, Karachi Central, Karachi South and Malir. Recently Korangi District and Kemari District carved out of original 5 districts of Karachi. These seven districts form the Karachi Division now.[8]
Administration
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List of divisions
| Division Name (English) |
Headquarter | Districts | Area
(km2) |
Population (1998) | Population (2017) | Pop. Density (1998) | Pop. Density (2017) | Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banbhore Division[9] | Thatta | 31,436 | 2,219,436 | 3,566,300 | 70.602/km2 | 113.446/km2 | .svg) | |
| Hyderabad Division | Hyderabad | 33,527 | 4,610,071 | 7,026,335 | 137.503/km2 | 209.572/km2 | .svg) | |
| Karachi Division | Karachi | 3,528 | 9,856,318 | 16,051,521 | 2,793.741/km2 | 4,549.751/km2 | .svg) | |
| Sukkur Division | Sukkur | 24,505 | 3,447,935 | 5,538,555 | 140.703/km2 | 226.017/km2 | .svg) | |
| Larkana Division | Larkana | 15,213 | N/A | 6,190,926 | N/A | 406.950/km2 | .svg) | |
| Mirpur Khas Division | Mirpur Khas | 28,171 | 2,585,417 | 4,228,683 | 91.776/km2 | 150.108/km2 | .svg) | |
| Shaheed Benazirabad Division | Nawabshah | 18,175 | 3,510,036 | 5,282,277 | 193.124/km2 | 290.634/km2 | .svg) |
References
- ^ "Administrative Divisions of Sindh". www.pakinformation.com. Retrieved 2022-08-24.
- ^ Correspondent, The Newspaper's (25 May 2014). "Shaheed Benazirabad made division".
- ^ "Bhanbhore made sixth division of Sindh". www.thenews.com.pk.
- ^ "Commissionerate system restored". Archived from the original on 2010-01-09. Retrieved 2010-04-26.
- ^ "Commissioner system to be restored soon: Durrani". Archived from the original on 2012-07-31.
- ^ "Sindh: Commissioner system may be revived today". Archived from the original on 2019-01-06. Retrieved 2010-04-26.
- ^ "Commissioners, DCs posted in Sindh". Archived from the original on 2011-07-13. Retrieved 2011-07-13.
- ^ ABDULLAH ZAFAR (21 August 2020). "Sindh Cabinet approves division of Karachi into seven districts". nation.com.pk. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
- ^ Bhambhore division in Sindh – Newspaper. Dawn. (25 April 2014).