Province Capital: Lahore · Area 205,345 km² · Population 127,688,922 (2023 census)
Punjab is a province of Pakistan with its capital at Lahore. The 2023 census counted 127,688,922 people (52.87% of Pakistan) on 205,345 km², and 66.25% of residents aged 10 and over were literate.
Culture
Punjab is the cultural heartland of Sufi poetry, Qawwali, Bhangra and harvest festivals such as Basant. Major languages are Punjabi and Saraiki. Historic cities include Lahore, Multan and Taxila.
Public issues
Urban crowding in Lahore and Faisalabad, smog, groundwater stress, and the need to expand technical education in southern districts.
Universities & colleges
Highest number of universities and colleges in the country, including University of the Punjab, UET Lahore and UVAS.
All 41 districts of Punjab →
Province Capital: Karachi · Area 140,914 km² · Population 55,696,147 (2023 census)
Sindh is a province of Pakistan with its capital at Karachi. The 2023 census counted 55,696,147 people (23.06% of Pakistan) on 140,914 km², and 57.54% of residents aged 10 and over were literate.
Culture
Sindh is the land of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, the Indus civilisation sites of Mohenjo-daro, Ajrak, Sindhi topi and the annual urs at Sehwan and Bhit Shah.
Public issues
Karachi municipal services, rural waterlogging, coastal erosion and flood recovery after 2022.
Universities & colleges
University of Karachi, NED, IBA and Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam are major institutions.
All 30 districts of Sindh →
Province Capital: Peshawar · Area 101,741 km² · Population 40,856,097 (2023 census)
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is a province of Pakistan with its capital at Peshawar. The 2023 census counted 40,856,097 people (16.92% of Pakistan) on 101,741 km², and 51.09% of residents aged 10 and over were literate.
Culture
Pashtunwali hospitality, Attan dance, rabab music and historic passes of Khyber and Malakand. Former FATA agencies are now districts of KP.
Public issues
Mountain access, climate shocks, and integrating newly merged districts into the provincial service system.
Universities & colleges
University of Peshawar, UET Peshawar, AWKUM and Gomal University.
All 38 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa →
Province Capital: Quetta · Area 347,190 km² · Population 14,894,402 (2023 census)
Balochistan is a province of Pakistan with its capital at Quetta. The 2023 census counted 14,894,402 people (6.17% of Pakistan) on 347,190 km², and 42.01% of residents aged 10 and over were literate.
Culture
Largest province by area. Baloch and Brahui traditions, juniper forests of Ziarat, Makran coast and the historic Quetta valley.
Public issues
Low population density, water scarcity, school access for girls in remote tehsils, and long travel times to hospitals.
Universities & colleges
University of Balochistan and BUITEMS in Quetta are the main campuses; more district colleges are being added.
All 41 districts of Balochistan →
Administrative Territory Area 72,496 km² · Population 1,709,049 (2023 census)
Gilgit-Baltistan, formerly the Northern Areas, had 1,709,049 people in the 2023 census, up from 1,492,924 in 2017, on 72,496 km². Its government notified 14 districts in 2019; official statistics are still published for 10.
Culture
Meeting point of Karakoram, Himalaya and Hindu Kush. Shina, Balti, Burushaski and Wakhi languages. Polo at Shandur and apricot culture of Hunza.
Public issues
Glacial lake floods, road closures in winter, and tourism carrying capacity.
Universities & colleges
Karakoram International University Gilgit and growing college network.
All 14 districts of Gilgit-Baltistan →
Administrative Territory Capital: Muzaffarabad · Area 13,297 km² · Population 4,032,363 (2017 census)
Azad Jammu and Kashmir is administered from Muzaffarabad and has 10 districts in 3 divisions. The 2017 census counted 4,032,363 people on 13,297 km²; the AJ&K Bureau of Statistics projects 4,460,971 for 2023.
Culture
Kashmiri, Pahari and Gojri heritage. Neelum and Jhelum valleys, traditional wooden architecture and mountain crafts.
Public issues
Terrain, winter access, and earthquake-resilient construction after 2005.
Universities & colleges
University of AJK and several public colleges in each district.
All 10 districts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir →
Federal Territory Capital: Islamabad · Area 906 km² · Population 2,363,863 (2023 census)
Islamabad Capital Territory is the federal capital territory of Pakistan with its capital at Islamabad. The 2023 census counted 2,363,863 people (0.98% of Pakistan) on 906 km², and 83.97% of residents aged 10 and over were literate.
Culture
Planned capital designed by Constantinos Doxiadis. Faisal Mosque, Margalla Hills and a mix of communities from every province.
Public issues
Rapid housing growth, traffic and pressure on the Margalla ecosystem.
Universities & colleges
QAU, NUST, COMSATS, IIUI and many federal colleges.
All 1 district of Islamabad Capital Territory →
Sources
- Pakistan Bureau of Statistics: Census 2023, Table 1: area, population, density, urban share, household size and growth (2023)
- Pakistan Bureau of Statistics: Census 2023, Table 1: area, population, density, urban share, household size and growth (2023)
- Pakistan Bureau of Statistics: Census 2023, Table 1: area, population, density, urban share, household size and growth (2023)
- Pakistan Bureau of Statistics: Census 2023, Table 1: area, population, density, urban share, household size and growth (2023)
- Planning & Development Department, Government of Gilgit-Baltistan: Gilgit-Baltistan at a Glance 2025 (2025)
- AJ&K Bureau of Statistics, P&DD: AJK at a Glance 2024 (2024)
- Pakistan Bureau of Statistics: Census 2023, Table 1: area, population, density, urban share, household size and growth (2023)
Checked 2026-09-30. Administrative boundaries and counts can change, so this page is dated.