In March 1883, the Khan of Kalat leased Quetta to the British authorities. In April 1883 it was combined with Pishin into a single administrative unit. At that time Sir H.S. Barnes was appointed as the first Political Agent. The administrative situation remained till the partition of the sub-continent in 1947. Quetta and Pishin continued to be a single administrative unit till 1975. In that year Pishin was made a separate administrative unit. Now the district consists of two sub-divisions (I) Quetta city (ii) Quetta Sadar. The district also comprises one Tehsil (Quetta) and one Sub-Tehsil (Punjpai).