Cantonments (Pakistan)

Cantonments in Pakistan (Urdu: پاکستان کے اردوگاه‎) are permanent military stations, which are administered by Cantonment Boards under the control of the Military Lands & Cantonments Department (ML&C), Ministry of Defence, Government of Pakistan. Cantonments are established under and governed by the Cantonments Act 1924.

In recent times, the demographic character of most independence era cantonments has changed, as they are no longer primarily "garrison" areas, and include significant civilian populations and private businesses. Based on the strength of civil population, the cantonments have been divided into three classes. Class I Cantonments, in which the civil population is one hundred thousand or more; Class II Cantonments, in which the civil population is fifty thousands or more but less than one hundred thousand; and Class III Cantonments, in which the civil population is less than fifty thousand.

There are a total of 56 Cantonments in Pakistan. As of 2013, the greatest amount 27 is in Punjab, then 10 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 10 in Sindh, 7 in Balochistan and 2 in Gilgit Baltistan

Prior to 1864, cantonments used to be administered by military authorities under various government orders. In 1864, for the first time, an act was adopted for improving the administration of the cantonments. A magistrate was appointed to administer the area. The act also regulated the funds granted by Government for the purpose of bettering the various facilities.

In 1880, another act was passed that empowered the cantonment authority to impose taxes, as well as granting legal status to the cantonment committee. The act gave power to impose fines and penalties for non-payment of taxes, and for encroachments. After World War I, political changes took place in South Asia that affected the administration of the cantonments. The changes also became part of day-to-day life in cantonments, as it had to do with its working.

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