RAWALPINDI: The President today [April 1] issued the Province of West Pakistan (Dissolution) Order, 1970, reviving the four old provinces —Baluchistan, NWFP, Punjab and Sind —with Bahawalpur going to Punjab, Karachi to Sind and Lasbella to Baluchistan. The Order, which shall come into force on a date to be notified by the President in the official Gazette, gives the President exclusive powers in relation to the Islamabad Capital territory which has been declared as Centrally administered area and with respect to the Centrally administered tribal areas.

The President has also been given exclusive powers with regard to the Pakistan Western Railway and all matters pertaining thereto. To help him in its management, the President will constitute a Railway Advisory Council with representatives of the new provinces.

The President has also been given all powers of the provincial government in relation to the West Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority, the West Pakistan Agricultural Development Corporation, the West Pakistan Industrial Development Corporation and the West Pakistan Small Industries Corporation. The President will also constitute advisory boards with representatives of the new provinces and in consultation with their Governments for the administration of these corporations.

Published in Dawn, April 2nd, 2020