List of Pakistani provinces by gross domestic product
Pakistani cities by GDP ( Nominal )
Table:
Rank

City

Province

2017 Nominal GDP
(in USD)

2017 Per Capita Nominal Income
(in USD)

1

Karachi

Sindh

$ 64 billion

$ 4292/-

2

Lahore

Punjab

$ 35 billion

$ 3144/-

3

Faisalabad

Punjab

$ 29.5 billion

$ 9207/-

4

Sialkot

Punjab

$ 13 billion

$ 10268/-

5

Gujranwala

Punjab

$ 12 billion

$ 5920/-

6

Multan

Punjab

$ 6.5 billion

$ 3472/-

7

Peshawar

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

$ 6 billion

$ 3045/-

8

Quetta

Baluchistan

$ 4 billion

$ 3996/-

9

Rawalpindi

Punjab

$ 3.96 billion

$ 1887/-

10

Islamabad

Islamabad Capital Territory

$ 3.04 billion

$ 4342/-

11

Hyderabad

sindh

$ 3.00 billion

$ 1731/-

12

Bahawalpur

Punjab

$ 2.9 billion

$ 3805/-

13

Mirpur

Azad Kashmir

$ 1.4 billion

$ 3070/-

14

Abbottabad

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

$ 1.1 billion

$ 3873/-

Considering the table together with the supporting text below.

Respond to the question below: The city in the province that achieved the height of its splendour during the reign of the Mughal Empire is on the banks of which river ? Output only the correct answer as {"answer": "YOUR ANSWER"}. Use only the information given.

Karachi ( Urdu : کراچی ; Sindhi : ڪراچي ; ALA-LC : Karācī , IPA : [ kəˈraːtʃi ] ( listen ) ) is the capital of the Pakistani province of Sindh . It is the most populous city in Pakistan , and fifth-most-populous city proper in the world . Ranked as a beta-global city , the city is Pakistan 's premier industrial and financial centre . It is the cultural , economic , philanthropic , educational , and political hub of the country , and Pakistan 's most cosmopolitan city . Situated on the Arabian Sea , Karachi serves as a transport hub , and is home to Pakistan 's two largest seaports , the Port of Karachi and Port Bin Qasim , as well as Pakistan 's busiest airport , Jinnah International Airport . Though the Karachi region has been inhabited for millennia , the city was founded as the fortified village of Kolachi in 1729 . The settlement drastically increased in importance with the arrival of British East India Company in the mid 19th century , who not only embarked on major works to transform the city into a major seaport , but also connected it with their extensive railway network . By the time of the Partition of British India , the city was the largest in Sindh with an estimated population of 400,000 . Following the independence of Pakistan , the city 's population increased dramatically with the arrival of hundreds of thousands of Muslim refugees from India . The city experienced rapid economic growth following independence , attracting migrants from throughout Pakistan and South Asia . Karachi is one of Pakistan 's most secular and socially liberal cities . It is also the most linguistically , ethnically , and religiously diverse city in Pakistan .
Sindh ( /sɪnd/ ; Sindhi : سنڌ ; Urdu : سندھ , pronounced [ sɪnd̪ʰ ] ) is one of the four provinces of Pakistan . Located in the southeast of the country , it is the historical home of the Sindhi people . Sindh is the third largest province of Pakistan by area , and second largest province by population after Punjab . Sindh is bordered by Balochistan province to the west , and Punjab province to the north . Sindh also borders the Indian states of Gujarat and Rajasthan to the east , and Arabian Sea to the south . Sindh 's landscape consists mostly of alluvial plains flanking the Indus River , the Thar desert in the eastern portion of the province closest to the border with India , and the Kirthar Mountains in the western part of Sindh . Sindh has Pakistan 's second largest economy , while its provincial capital Karachi is Pakistan 's largest city and financial hub , and hosts the headquarters of several multinational banks . Sindh is home to a large portion of Pakistan 's industrial sector and contains two of Pakistan 's commercial seaports , Port Bin Qasim and the Karachi Port . The remainder of Sindh has an agriculture based economy , and produces fruits , food consumer items , and vegetables for the consumption of other parts of the country . Sindh is known for its distinct culture which is strongly influenced by Sufism , an important marker of Sindhi identity for both Hindus ( Sindh has Pakistan 's highest percentage of Hindu residents ) and Muslims in the province . Several important Sufi shrines are located throughout the province which attract millions of annual devotees . Sindh 's capital , Karachi , is Pakistan 's most ethnically diverse city , with Muhajirs , or descendants of those who migrated to Pakistan from India after 1947 and throughout the 1950s and 1960s , making up the majority of the population .
Lahore ( /ləˈhɔːr/ ; Punjabi : لہور ; Urdu : لاہور , pronounced [ lɑːˈɦɔːr ] ) is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab . It is the country 's second-most populous city after Karachi . Lahore is one of Pakistan 's wealthiest cities , with an estimated GDP of $ 58.14 billion ( PPP ) as of 2015 . Lahore is the largest city and historic cultural centre of the wider Punjab region , and is one of Pakistan 's most socially liberal , progressive , and cosmopolitan cities . Lahore 's origins reach into antiquity . The city has been controlled by numerous empires throughout the course of its history , including the Hindu Shahis , Ghaznavids , Ghurids , and Delhi Sultanate by the medieval era . Lahore reached the height of its splendour under the Mughal Empire between the late 16th and early 18th century , and served as its capital city for a number of years . The city was captured by the forces of the Afsharid ruler Nader Shah in 1739 , and fell into a period of decay while being contested between the Afghans and the Sikhs . Lahore eventually became capital of the Sikh Empire in the early 19th century , and regained much of its lost grandeur . Lahore was then annexed to the British Empire , and made capital of British Punjab . Lahore was central to the independence movements of both India and Pakistan , with the city being the site of both the declaration of Indian Independence , and the resolution calling for the establishment of Pakistan . Lahore experienced some of the worst rioting during the Partition period preceding Pakistan 's independence .
Punjab ( Urdu & Punjabi : پنجاب , romanized : Panjāb , pronounced [ pənˈdʒaːb ] , listen ( help·info ) ; lit . Five waters ) is Pakistan 's most populous province , with an estimated population of 110,012,442 as of 2017 . Forming the bulk of the transnational Punjab region , it is bordered by the Pakistani provinces of Sindh , Balochistan , and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa , the enclave of Islamabad , and Azad Kashmir . It also shares borders with the Indian states of Punjab , Rajasthan , and the Indian-administered territory of Jammu and Kashmir . The capital is Lahore , a cultural , historical , economic and cosmopolitan centre of Pakistan where the country 's cinema industry , and much of its fashion industry , are based . Punjab has been inhabited since ancient times . The Indus Valley Civilization , dating to 2600 BCE , was first discovered at Harappa . Punjab features heavily in the Hindu epic poem , the Mahabharata , and is home to Taxila , site of what is considered by many to be the oldest university in the world . In 326 BCE , Alexander the Great defeated King Porus at the Battle of the Hydaspes near Mong , Punjab . The Umayyad empire conquered Punjab in the 8th century CE . In the subsequent centuries , Punjab was invaded and conquered by the Ghaznavids , Ghurids , Delhi Sultanate , Mughals , Durranis and the Sikhs . Punjab reached the height of its splendour during the reign of the Mughal Empire , which for a time ruled from Lahore .
Faisalabad ( Urdu : فیصل آباد ; English : /fɑːɪsɑːlˌbɑːd/ ) , formerly known as Lyallpur , is the third-most-populous city in Pakistan , and the second-largest in the eastern province of Punjab . Historically one of the first planned cities within British India , it has long since developed into a cosmopolitan metropolis . Faisalabad was restructured into city district status ; a devolution promulgated by the 2001 local government ordinance ( LGO ) . The total area of Faisalabad District is 5,856 km2 ( 2,261 sq mi ) while the area controlled by the Faisalabad Development Authority ( FDA ) is 1,280 km2 ( 490 sq mi ) . :8 Faisalabad has grown to become a major industrial and distribution centre because of its central location in the region and connecting roads , rails , and air transportation . It has been referred to as the Manchester of Pakistan . Faisalabad contributes over 20 percent of Punjab 's GDP , and has an average annual GDP of $ 20.5 billion . Agriculture and industry remain its hallmark . :41 The surrounding countryside , irrigated by the lower Chenab River , produces cotton , wheat , sugarcane , maize , vegetables and fruits . The city is an industrial centre with major railway repair yards , engineering works , and mills that process sugar , flour , and oil seed . Faisalabad is a major producer of superphosphates , cotton and silk textiles , hosiery , dyes , industrial chemicals , beverages , clothing , pulp and paper , printing , agricultural equipment , and ghee ( clarified butter ) . The Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry monitors industrial activity in the city and reports their findings to the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and provincial government .
Sialkot ( Urdu and Punjabi : سيالكوٹ ) is a city in Punjab , Pakistan . Sialkot is Pakistan 's 13th largest city and located 9 km from Ghuinke , and is located in north-east Punjab - one of Pakistan 's most industrialised regions . Along with the nearby cities of Gujranwala and Gujrat , Sialkot forms part of the so-called Golden Triangle of industrial cities with export-oriented economies . Sialkot is believed to be site of ancient Sagala , a city razed by Alexander the Great in 326 BCE , and then made capital of the Indo-Greek kingdom by Menander I in the 2nd century BCE - a time during which the city greatly prospered as a major centre for trade and Buddhist thought . Sialkot continued to be a major political centre , until it was eclipsed by Lahore around the turn of the first millennium . The city rose again in prominence during the British era , and is now one of Pakistan 's most important industrial centres . Sialkot is wealthy relative to other cities in South Asia , with an estimated 2014 per capita income of $ 2800 ( nominal ) . The city has been noted by The Economist for its entrepreneurial spirit , and productive business climate that have made Sialkot an example of a small Pakistani city that has emerged as a world-class manufacturing hub . The relatively small city exported approximately $ 2 billion worth of goods in 2015 , or about 10% of Pakistan 's total exports . Sialkot is also home to the Sialkot International Airport - Pakistan 's first privately owned public airport .
Gujranwala ( Punjabi , Urdu : گوجرانوالہ ) is a city in Punjab , Pakistan , that is located north of the nearby provincial capital of Lahore . It is also known as City of Wrestlers and is quite famous for its food . The city is Pakistan 's 5th most-populous metropolitan area , as well as 5th most populous city proper . Founded in the 18th century , Gujranwala is a relatively modern town compared to the many nearby millennia-old cities of northern Punjab . The city served as the capital of the Sukerchakia Misl state between 1763 and 1799 , and is the birthplace of the founder of the Sikh Empire , Maharaja Ranjit Singh . Gujranwala is now Pakistan 's third largest industrial centre after Karachi and Faisalabad , and contributes 5% of Pakistan 's national GDP . The city is part of a network of large urban centres in north-east Punjab province that forms one of Pakistan 's mostly highly industrialized regions . Along with the nearby cities of Sialkot and Gujrat , Gujranwala forms part of the so-called Golden Triangle of industrial cities with export-oriented economies .
Multan ( مُلتان ; [ mʊltaːn ] ( listen ) ) is a city in Punjab , Pakistan . Located on the banks of the Chenab River , Multan is Pakistan 's 7th largest city , and is the major cultural and economic centre of southern Punjab . Multan 's history stretches deep into antiquity . The ancient city was site of the renowned Multan Sun Temple , and was besieged by Alexander the Great during the Mallian Campaign . Multan was one of the most important trading centres of medieval Islamic India , and attracted a multitude of Sufi mystics in the 11th and 12th centuries , earning the city the nickname City of Saints . The city , along with the nearby city of Uch , is renowned for its large number of Sufi shrines dating from that era .
Peshawar ( Pashto : پېښور Pēx̌awar [ peˈçawar ] ( listen ) ; Hindko : پشور ; [ pɪˈʃɔːɾ ] ( listen ) ; Urdu : پشاور [ peːˈʃaːʋər ] ( listen ) ) is the capital of the Pakistani province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa . Situated in the broad Valley of Peshawar near the eastern end of the historic Khyber Pass , close to the border with Afghanistan , Peshawar 's recorded history dates back to at least 539 BCE , making it the oldest city in Pakistan and one of the oldest cities in South Asia . As the center of the ancient Gandhara region , Peshawar served as the capital of the Kushan Empire ; and was home to the Kanishka stupa . Peshawar was then sacked by the White Huns , before the arrival of Muslim empires . The city was an important trading centre during the Mughal era before serving as the winter capital of the Afghan Durrani Empire from 1757 until the city was captured by the Sikh Empire in 1818 , who were then followed by the British in 1849 . The city of Peshawar has a population of 1,970,042 according to the 2017 census , making it the largest city in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the sixth-largest in Pakistan , while Peshawar District has a population of 4,269,079 . Peshawar is the largest Pashtun-majority city in Pakistan and is bilingual in Pashto and Hindko .
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ( often abbreviated KP or KPK ) ( Pashto : خیبر پښتونخوا ; } ) , formerly known as the North-West Frontier Province ( NWFP ) ( Urdu : صوبہ سرحد ) , is one of the four administrative provinces of Pakistan , located in the northwestern region of the country along the International border with Afghanistan . It was previously known as the North-West Frontier Province until 2010 when the name was changed to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by the 18th Amendment to Pakistan 's Constitution and is known colloquially by various other names . Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is the third-largest province of Pakistan by the size of both population and economy , though it is geographically the smallest of four . Within Pakistan , Khyber Pakhtunkhwa shares a border with Punjab , Balochistan , Azad Kashmir , Gilgit-Baltistan and Islamabad . It is home to 17.9% of Pakistan 's total population , with the majority of the province 's inhabitants being Pashtuns and Hindko speakers . The province is the site of the ancient kingdom Gandhara , including the ruins of its capital Pushkalavati near modern-day Charsadda . Originally a stronghold of Buddhism , the history of the region was characterized by frequent invasions by various empires due to its geographical proximity to the Khyber Pass . Since the 9/11 attacks in the United States in 2001 , the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been a major theatre of militancy and terrorism which intensified when the Taliban began an unsuccessful attempt to seize the control of the province in 2004 . With the launch of Operation Zarb-e-Azb against the Taliban insurgency , the casualty and crime rates in the country as a whole dropped by 40.0% as compared to 2011-13 , with even greater drops noted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas . As of July 2014 , about 929,859 people were reported to be internally displaced from North Waziristan to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as a result of Operation Zarb-e-Azb . On March 2 , 2017 , the Government of Pakistan considered a proposal to merge the Federally Administered Tribal Areas with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa , and to repeal the Frontier Crimes Regulations , which are currently applicable to the tribal areas . However , some political parties have opposed the merger , and called for the tribal areas to instead become a separate province of Pakistan .
Quetta ( Pashto : کوټه Kwaṭa ; Balochi : کویته ; Urdu : کوئٹہ , Hazaragi : کویته [ ˈkʋeːʈə ] ( listen ) ; formerly known as Shalkot ( Pashto : شالکوټ ) ) is the provincial capital and largest city of Balochistan , Pakistan . It was largely destroyed in the 1935 Quetta earthquake , but was rebuilt and has a population of 4,678,932 according to the census of 2017 . Quetta is at an average elevation of 1,680 metres ( 5,510 feet ) above sea level , making it Pakistan 's only high-altitude major city . The city is known as the Fruit Garden of Pakistan , due to the numerous fruit orchards in and around it , and the large variety of fruits and dried fruit products produced there . Located in northern Balochistan near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border , Quetta is a trade and communication centre between the two countries . The city is near the Bolan Pass route which was once one of the major gateways from Central Asia to South Asia . Quetta played an important role militarily for the Pakistani Armed Forces in the intermittent Afghanistan conflict .
Balochistan ( /bəˌloʊtʃɪˈstɑːn/ ; Urdu : بلوچِستان ) is one of the four provinces of Pakistan . It is the largest province in terms of land area , forming the southwestern region of the country , but is the least populated . Its provincial capital and largest city is Quetta . Balochistan shares borders with Punjab and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to the northeast , Sindh to the east and southeast , the Arabian Sea to the south , Iran to the west and Afghanistan to the north and northwest . The main ethnic groups in the province are the Baloch people and the Pashtuns , who constitute 52% and 36% of the population respectively ( according to the preliminary 2011 census ) . The remaining 12% comprises smaller communities of Brahuis , Hazaras along with other settlers such as Sindhis , Punjabis , Uzbeks and Turkmens . The name Balochistan means the land of the Baloch . Largely underdeveloped , its provincial economy is dominated by natural resources , especially its natural gas fields , estimated to have sufficient capacity to supply Pakistan 's demands over the medium to long term . Aside from Quetta , the second-largest city of the province is Turbat in the south , while another area of major economic importance is Gwadar Port on the Arabian Sea . Balochistan is noted for its unique culture and extremely dry desert climate .
Rawalpindi ( /ˌrɑːwəlˈpɪndi/ or /rɔːlˈpɪndi/ ; Punjabi , Urdu : راولپِنڈى , Rāwalpiṇḍī ) , commonly known as Pindi ( Punjabi : پِنڈی ) , is a city in the Punjab province of Pakistan . Rawalpindi is adjacent to Pakistan 's capital of Islamabad , and the two are jointly known as the twin cities on account of strong social and economic links between the cities . Rawalpindi is the fourth-largest city in Pakistan by population , while the larger Islamabad Rawalpindi metropolitan area is the country 's third-largest metropolitan area . Rawalpindi is located on the Pothohar Plateau , known for its ancient Buddhist heritage , especially in the neighbouring town of Taxila - a UNESCO World Heritage Site . The city was destroyed during the invasion of Mahmud of Ghazni before being taken over by Gakhars in 1493 . In 1765 , the ruling Gakhars were defeated as the city came under Sikh rule , and eventually became a major city within the Sikh Empire based in Lahore . The city was conquered by the British Raj in 1849 , and in 1851 became the largest garrison town for the British Indian Army . Following the partition of British India in 1947 , the city became home to the headquarters of Pakistan Army hence retaining its status as a major military city .
Islamabad ( /ɪsˈlɑːməˌbɑːd/ ; Urdu : اسلام آباد , Islāmābād ) is the capital city of Pakistan , and is federally administered as part of the Islamabad Capital Territory . Built as a planned city in the 1960s to replace Karachi as Pakistan 's capital , Islamabad is noted for its high standards of living , safety , and abundant greenery . With a population of 1,014,825 as per the 2017 Census , Islamabad is the 9th largest city in Pakistan , while the larger Islamabad-Rawalpindi metropolitan area is the country 's third largest with a population exceeding four million . The city is the political seat of Pakistan and local government setup is run by the Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation , supported by the Capital Development Authority ( CDA ) . Islamabad is located in the Pothohar Plateau in the northeastern part of the country , between Rawalpindi District and the Margalla Hills National Park to the north . The region has historically been a part of the crossroads of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with the Margalla Pass acting as the gateway between the two regions . The city 's master-plan , designed by Greek architect Constantinos Apostolou Doxiadis , divides the city into eight zones , including administrative , diplomatic enclave , residential areas , educational sectors , industrial sectors , commercial areas , and rural and green areas . The city is known for the presence of several parks and forests , including the Margalla Hills National Park and Shakarparian Park . The city is home to several landmarks , including the Faisal Mosque , the largest mosque in South Asia and the fourth largest in the world . Other landmarks include the Pakistan 's National Monument and Democracy Square . Islamabad is a gamma-global city ; it is categorised as very high on the Human Development Index , with an HDI of 0.875 , the 2nd highest in the country after Lahore . The city has the highest cost of living in Pakistan , and its population is dominated by middle and upper middle class citizens .
Islamabad Capital Territory ( Urdu : وفاقی دارالحکومت ) is the only federal territory of Pakistan . Located in north-central Pakistan between the provinces of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa , it includes the country 's federal capital Islamabad . The territory is represented in the National Assembly constituencies NA-52 , NA-53 and NA-54 .
Hyderabad ( /ˈhaɪdərəbɑːd/ ( listen ) HY-dər-ə-baad ) is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Telangana and de jure capital of Andhra Pradesh . [ A ] Occupying 650 square kilometres ( 250 sq mi ) along the banks of the Musi River , located on the Deccan Plateau in the northern part of South India . At an average altitude of 542 metres ( 1,778 ft ) , much of Hyderabad is situated on hilly terrain around artificial lakes , including Hussain Sagar lake - predating the city 's founding - north of the city centre . Hyderabad City has a population of about 6.9 million , with about 9.7 million in Hyderabad Metropolitan Region , making it the fourth-most populous city and sixth-most populous urban agglomeration in India . With an output of US $ 74 billion , Hyderabad is the fifth-largest contributor to India 's overall gross domestic product . In 1591 Qutb Shahi ruler Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah established Hyderabad to extend the capital beyond the fortified Golconda , in 1687 the city was annexed by the Mughals - in 1724 Mughal governor Nizam Asaf Jah I declared his sovereignty and founded the Asaf Jahi dynasty also known as the Nizams , Hyderabad served as the imperial capital of the Asaf Jahi from 1769 to 1948 . As capital of the princely state of Hyderabad the city housed the British Residency and cantonment until Indian independence in 1947 . Hyderabad was invaded and integrated into the Indian Union in 1948 and continues as a capital of Hyderabad State
Bahawalpur ( بہاولپور ) , is a city located in the Punjab province of Pakistan . Bahawalpur is the 11th largest city in Pakistan with an estimated population of 798,509 . Founded in 1748 , Bahawalpur was the capital of the former princely state of Bahawalpur , ruled by the Abbasi family of Nawabs until 1955 . The Nawabs left a rich architectural legacy , and Bahawalpur is now known for its monuments dating from that period . The city also lies at the edge of the Cholistan Desert , and serves as the gateway to the nearby Lal Suhanra National Park .
Mirpur ( Urdu : مِيرپُور ) , more commonly known as New Mirpur City ( Urdu : شہر نیا مِیرپُر ) , is the capital of Mirpur district and the largest city of Azad Kashmir . The city itself has gone through a process of modernization , but most of the surrounding area remains agricultural . Mirpur is known for its grand buildings and large bungalows , primarily funded through its expatriate community , which comes mainly from Europe ( especially the United Kingdom ) , Hong Kong , the Middle East , and North America . The main crop cultivated during summer is millet and pulses . However , other crops such as wheat , maize and vegetables are also grown . The produce of quality rice from the paddy fields of Khari Sharif , between Upper Jhelum Canal and Jhelum river , is very famous and popular for its aroma and taste . The production of electricity from Mangla Dam provides the energy needs for Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Northern Punjab . A significant portion of the population from the district , the Mirpuri diaspora , migrated to the United Kingdom in the mid-to-late 1950s and in the early 1960s , mostly to West Yorkshire , East Midlands , West Midlands , Luton , Peterborough , Derby and East London . Mirpur is thus sometimes known as Little England . Many British products are found , and many shops in the city accept the pound sterling .
Azad Jammu and Kashmir ( Urdu : آزاد جموں و کشمیر , romanized : āzād jammū̃ va kaśmīr , transl . 'Free Jammu and Kashmir ' ) , abbreviated as AJK and commonly known as Azad Kashmir , is a region administered by Pakistan as a nominally self-governing jurisdiction , and constituting the western portion of the larger Kashmir region which has been the subject of a dispute between India and Pakistan since 1947 , and between India and China since 1962 . The territory shares a border with Gilgit-Baltistan , together with which it is referred to by the United Nations and other international organisations as Pakistan administered Kashmir . [ note 1 ] Azad Kashmir is one-sixth of the size of Gilgit-Baltistan . The territory also borders Pakistan 's Punjab province to the south and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province to the west . To the east , Azad Kashmir is separated from the Indian administered Kashmir by the Line of Control , the de facto border between India and Pakistan . Azad Kashmir has a total area of 13,297 square kilometres ( 5,134 sq mi ) , and a total population of 4,045,366 as per the 2017 Census . The territory has a parliamentary form of government modelled after the Westminster system , with its capital located at Muzaffarabad . The President is the constitutional head of state , while the Prime Minister , supported by a Council of Ministers , is the chief executive . The unicameral Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly elects both the Prime Minister and President . The state has its own Supreme Court and a High Court , while the Government of Pakistan 's Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan serves as a link with Azad Kashmir 's government , although Azad Kashmir is not represented in the Parliament of Pakistan . An earthquake in 2005 killed 100,000 people and left another three million people displaced , with widespread devastation .
Abbottabad ( /ˈæbətəbæd/ or /ˈɑːbtəbæd/ ) ( Urdu , Hindko : ایبٹ آباد Aibṭ ābād [ ɛːbʈaːˈbaːd ] ) is the capital city of Abbottabad District in the Hazara region of eastern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa , Pakistan . It is about 120 kilometres ( 75 mi ) north of Islamabad and Rawalpindi , and 150 kilometres ( 93 mi ) east of Peshawar , at an altitude of 1,260 metres ( 4,134 ft ) . Kashmir lies to the east .
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ( often abbreviated KP or KPK ) ( Pashto : خیبر پښتونخوا ; } ) , formerly known as the North-West Frontier Province ( NWFP ) ( Urdu : صوبہ سرحد ) , is one of the four administrative provinces of Pakistan , located in the northwestern region of the country along the International border with Afghanistan . It was previously known as the North-West Frontier Province until 2010 when the name was changed to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by the 18th Amendment to Pakistan 's Constitution and is known colloquially by various other names . Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is the third-largest province of Pakistan by the size of both population and economy , though it is geographically the smallest of four . Within Pakistan , Khyber Pakhtunkhwa shares a border with Punjab , Balochistan , Azad Kashmir , Gilgit-Baltistan and Islamabad . It is home to 17.9% of Pakistan 's total population , with the majority of the province 's inhabitants being Pashtuns and Hindko speakers . The province is the site of the ancient kingdom Gandhara , including the ruins of its capital Pushkalavati near modern-day Charsadda . Originally a stronghold of Buddhism , the history of the region was characterized by frequent invasions by various empires due to its geographical proximity to the Khyber Pass . Since the 9/11 attacks in the United States in 2001 , the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been a major theatre of militancy and terrorism which intensified when the Taliban began an unsuccessful attempt to seize the control of the province in 2004 . With the launch of Operation Zarb-e-Azb against the Taliban insurgency , the casualty and crime rates in the country as a whole dropped by 40.0% as compared to 2011-13 , with even greater drops noted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas . As of July 2014 , about 929,859 people were reported to be internally displaced from North Waziristan to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as a result of Operation Zarb-e-Azb . On March 2 , 2017 , the Government of Pakistan considered a proposal to merge the Federally Administered Tribal Areas with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa , and to repeal the Frontier Crimes Regulations , which are currently applicable to the tribal areas . However , some political parties have opposed the merger , and called for the tribal areas to instead become a separate province of Pakistan .