Correct Answer:
B. 4
Immediately after its independence in 1947, Pakistan was formed with four provinces: East Bengal, West Punjab, Sindh, and the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP). Balochistan was administered as a Chief Commissioner's Province, and several princely states acceded to Pakistan over time, but these were not initially full provinces. Therefore, option B is correct.
- Option A (3) is incorrect as it omits one of the foundational provinces.
- Option C (5) is incorrect because Balochistan was not a full province at the time of independence.
- Option D (7) is incorrect, significantly overstating the number of initial provinces.