Rawalpindi Division

Rawalpindi Division was one of the administrative subdivisions of the Punjab province of Pakistan, forming part of the third tier of government below the federal and provincial levels. Divisions were composed of districts which formed the fourth tier of government, but the local government reform of 2000 abolished administrative divisions and raised the districts to become the new third tier of government.

History

British rule

During British rule, the region around Rawalpindi became a division of the Punjab province, primarily because of the strategic location of the city of Rawalpindi.

The Imperial Gazetteer of India describes the division as follows:

"North-western Division of the Punjab, lying between 31º35' and 34º 1' N. and 70º 37' and 74º29' E. The Commissioner's head-quarters are at Rawalpindi and Murree. The total population of the Division increased from 2,520,508 in 1881 to 2,750,713 in 1891, and to 2,799,360 in 1901. Its total area is 15,736 square miles, and the density of the population is 178 persons per square mile, compared with 209 for the Province as a whole" [ [http://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V21_268.gifRāwalpindi Division - Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 21, p. 262] ]

The division was composed of five district:

After independence

On independence in 1947, the division was one of four divisions of the province of West Punjab but from 1955 to 1970, the divisions was one of twelve (later thirteen) divisions of West Pakistan province under the One Unit policy. On the dissolution of West Pakistan, the division was restored to the new Punjab province, but parts of the division were transferred with parts of Lahore Division to form the new Gujranwala Division.

Districts

The division was composed of four districts at abolition in 2000.

* Attock District
* Chakwal District
* Jhelum District
* Rawalpindi District

See also

* Divisions of Pakistan
* Punjab province

References