Rawalpindi: The Rawalpindi district is poised for a major administrative expansion, with the Punjab government set to create four new tehsils, as reported on September 5.
As per details, this move will increase the number of subdistricts in Rawalpindi from seven to 11, aiming to improve civic services and better meet the needs of the district’s growing population. Under the new plan, the existing tehsils of Rawalpindi City, Saddar, and Cantonment will be bifurcated, resulting in their total number rising from three to six. Additionally, Gujar Khan tehsil will be split, and its Daultala area, home to over 200,000 residents, will become a separate tehsil.
Currently, Rawalpindi has seven tehsils: Rawalpindi City, Saddar, Cantonment, Gujar Khan, Kahuta, Kallar Syedan, and Taxila. With the establishment of four new tehsils, this number will increase to 11, marking a significant enhancement in local governance. A senior district administration official highlighted that the creation of new tehsils will provide residents with more efficient access to civic amenities. People will no longer need to travel to distant district offices, such as those in Raja Bazaar or Rawat, for administrative services.
“The population of Rawalpindi’s tehsils has surged in recent years, overwhelming the existing administrative staff,” the official said. “The new tehsils will not only alleviate this pressure but also help the Land Revenue Department manage records more effectively and curb illegal construction in urban areas.” The proposal submitted to the Punjab Board of Revenue for the creation of these tehsils focuses on key factors such as population growth, land revenue boundaries, and law enforcement jurisdictions.
An official from the Land Revenue Department confirmed that the district administration has already submitted the proposal to split Gujar Khan into two tehsils. The Daultala tehsil case is still pending approval from the Punjab Board of Revenue, but once finalised, a formal notification will be issued. During her visit to Rawalpindi on August 19, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz approved the addition of more assistant commissioners in both Rawalpindi and Lahore. Following the creation of five new tehsils in Lahore, the focus will shift to Rawalpindi’s administrative expansion.
Deputy Commissioner Dr. Hassan Waqar Cheema revealed that the groundwork for establishing the new tehsils has already begun. The expansion will enhance the Land Revenue Department’s operations and deliver key services directly to the people’s doorsteps. “With the formation of new tehsils, assistant commissioners, tehsildars, and relevant officials will be appointed to streamline operations,” Dr. Cheema said. “This decision will ease the workload on existing land revenue offices, ensuring quicker access to land records and minimizing delays.”
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has already authorised the appointment of additional assistant commissioners to support the new administrative structure, ensuring a smoother transition and improved public service delivery across Rawalpindi.
