Developing Backward Areas Chapter 25: Developing Backward Areas One of the key indicators of a successful Federation is the presence of a Constitutional and fiscal framework which reduces inequalities among the federating units in the standard of living of the people. Article 37(a) of the Constitution clearly states: “Promote, with special care, the educational and economic interests of backward classes or areas” Therefore, developing backward areas and reducing inter-regional inequality have to be the key focus areas of the Charter of the Economy. 25.1. Size and Growth of Provincial Economies Pakistan does not have official estimates of the Gross Regional Product of each Province. This has greatly hindered regional planning. Fortunately, some research institutions like the SPDC, IPP and BCPR have made estimates of the Provincial Gross Regional Products(GRPs) for different years. The latest estimates of the GRPs for 2018-19 at constant factor cost of 2005-06 are given below in Table 25.1. the GRPs indicate the level of economic activity and the overall value added. The GRIs also include the inflow of remittances and are, therefore, a comprehensive measure of the total Provincial income. Table 25.1: Estimates of The GRPS for 2018-19(At constant 2005-06 prices)(Rs in Billion) Size of the GRP Share(%) Size of the GRI* Share(%) Punjab** 6825 54.2 7833 55.4 Sindh 3693 29.4 3746 26.5 Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 1489 11.8 1937 13.7 Balochistan 573 4.6 623 4.4 Pakistan 12580 100.0 14139 100.0 *Including net inflow of domestic remittances and remittances from abroad|**Including Islamabad Source: Estimated. 245