Country Pakistan
Province Balochistan
Capital Uthal
Established June 1954[1]
Government
- District Nazim Prince Jam Kamal Khan
- District Naib Nazim Muhammad Ibrahim Doda
Area
- Total 12,574 km2 (4,854.8 sq mi)
Population (2005 Estimate)
- Total 312,917
- Density 29.02/km2 (75.2/sq mi)
Time zone PST (UTC+5)
District Council
Number of Tehsils 9
Website www.lasbeladistrictgovt.com
Lasbela (Urdu: لسبيله ) is a coastal district of Balochistan province of Pakistan. It became a separate district in Kalat Division on 30 June 1954. The name is derived from the words Las which signifies a plain, the greater part of the area being a flat plain, and Bela which means "jungle" and is also the name of the principal town of the district. Uthal is the district headquarters. The district is divided into 9 Tehsil and 21 union councils.
Administration
The district of Lasbela is administratively subdivided into four tehsils, these are:
Bela
Dureji
Hub
Uthal
History
Alexander the Great passed through Lasbela on his way back to Babylon after conquering Northwestern India. In 711 CE, the Arab general, Muhammad bin Qasim passed through Lasbela on his way to Sindh.
The area of the district was formerly a princely state of British India (Las – with Bela as capital), which later merged with Pakistan.
Geography
The main river is the Porali with its tributaries, Winder and Wirhab rivers. Other rivers are the Phor and Hingol which rise in Awaran District before flowing through Lasbela on their way to the Arabian Sea.
Demographics
The population of Lasbela was estimated to be over700,000 in 2005. In 1998, the overall population was 98.33% Muslim.[4] Of the remaining, 1.37% were Hindus and 0.14% Christian, with the rest belonging to various other religions. In 1998, about 37% of the population resided in the urban areas. In 1998, 22.3% of the population was literate with 32.16% of the males and 10.46% of the females. The majority of population speaks either Sindhi or Baluchi. Much of the population also speaks a language called Lasi, which is derived from Sindhi or Jadgali.
Sites of Interest
Shrines
Shrine of Shah Bilawal
Lahut-i-Lamakan
Kumb Shrine
Shireen and Farhad
Sassi and Punnu
Pir Fida Hussain
Pir Moosiani
Pir Mohiuddin
Mai Gondrani
Hinglaj
pir koonana
pir shah bukhari
pir meeran
pir bukur
Darga Baba Juman Shah
Historical Buildings and Archaeological Sites At Bela:
Shah Jamai Mosque
Tomb of General Muhammad ibn Haroon
Tomb of Colonel Robert Sandeman
Karia Pir
Others
Sassi Waro-Chodo (Sassi's Spring), near Paboni Naka, about68 km from Karachi.
Bakkar Buthi, a small Harappan site located in the remote mountainous area to the east of the Las Bela plain.
Detailed History of Lasbela:
Las Bela was a princely state in India (later Pakistan) which existed until 1955. The state occupied an area of 18,254 km2 (7,048 sq mi) in the extreme southeast of the Balochistan province with an extensive coastline on the Arabian Sea to the south. Las Bela was bordered by the princely states of Kalat and Makran to the north and west. To the east lay the province of Sind and to the southeast lay the Federal Capital Territory around the city of Karachi.
The State of Las Bela was founded in 1742 by Ali Khan I. His descendants ruled Las Bela until 1955 when the state became part of West Pakistan. For a period of three years between 3 October 1952 and 14 October 1955, Las Bela was part of the Baluchistan States Union but retained internal autonomy. In 1955, Las Bela was incorporated into the new province of West Pakistan and became part of Kalat division. In 1962, the area of Las Bela was detached from Kalat division and merged with the former Federal Capital Territory to form the division of Karachi-Bela. When the provincial system was changed in 1970, Las Bela became part of the new province of Balochistan.
The main ethnic groups in Las Bela were Baluchis and Sindhis. The population was mainly Muslim but there was a significant population of Hindus.
Las Bela has a hot, dry tropical desert climate. It is only a few degrees north of the Tropic of Cancer. The sea breezes though make the weather less extreme than inland Balochistan, where50 °C (122 °F ) in the summer and a foot of snow in the winter is usual.
Rulers
The hereditary rulers of Las Bela were styled as Jam Sahib.The Samma Dynasty took the title "Jam", the equivalent of "King" or "Sultan", because they claimed to be descended from Jamshid. This is almost certainly fictitious.
Tenure Jams of Las Bela[2]
1742 - 1765 Jam Ali Khan I (surnamed Kathuria)
1765 - 1776 Jam Ghulam Shah
1776 - 1818 Mir Khan I
1818 - 1830 Ali Khan II
1830 - 1869 Mir Khan II (CIE , KCIE) (1st time)
1869 - 1886 Sir Ali Khan III (KCIE) (1st time)
1886 - 21 January 1888 Sir Mir Khan II (KCIE) (2nd time)
21 January 1888 - May 1896 Sir Ali Khan III (2nd time)
May 1896 - March 1921 Kamal Khan (CIE)
March 1921 - 1937 Ghulam Mohammad Khan (GCIE)
1937 - 14 October 1955 Ghulam Qadir Khan (CIE)
14 October 1955 State of Las Bela dissolved
Prominent members of the family after the end of the princely state included:
Jam Ghulam Qadir Khan former Chief Minister of Balochistan province
Jam Mohammad Yousaf former Chief Minister of Balochistan province
Prince Jam Ali Akbar former Provincial Minister of Balochistan Province.
Prince Jam Kamal Khan Nazim District Council of Lasbela.
Province Balochistan
Capital Uthal
Established June 1954[1]
Government
- District Nazim Prince Jam Kamal Khan
- District Naib Nazim Muhammad Ibrahim Doda
Area
- Total 12,574 km2 (4,854.8 sq mi)
Population (2005 Estimate)
- Total 312,917
- Density 29.02/km2 (75.2/sq mi)
Time zone PST (UTC+5)
District Council
Number of Tehsils 9
Website www.lasbeladistrictgovt.com
Lasbela (Urdu: لسبيله ) is a coastal district of Balochistan province of Pakistan. It became a separate district in Kalat Division on 30 June 1954. The name is derived from the words Las which signifies a plain, the greater part of the area being a flat plain, and Bela which means "jungle" and is also the name of the principal town of the district. Uthal is the district headquarters. The district is divided into 9 Tehsil and 21 union councils.
Administration
The district of Lasbela is administratively subdivided into four tehsils, these are:
Bela
Dureji
Hub
Uthal
History
Alexander the Great passed through Lasbela on his way back to Babylon after conquering Northwestern India. In 711 CE, the Arab general, Muhammad bin Qasim passed through Lasbela on his way to Sindh.
The area of the district was formerly a princely state of British India (Las – with Bela as capital), which later merged with Pakistan.
Geography
The main river is the Porali with its tributaries, Winder and Wirhab rivers. Other rivers are the Phor and Hingol which rise in Awaran District before flowing through Lasbela on their way to the Arabian Sea.
Demographics
The population of Lasbela was estimated to be over
Sites of Interest
Shrines
Shrine of Shah Bilawal
Lahut-i-Lamakan
Kumb Shrine
Shireen and Farhad
Sassi and Punnu
Pir Fida Hussain
Pir Moosiani
Pir Mohiuddin
Mai Gondrani
Hinglaj
pir koonana
pir shah bukhari
pir meeran
pir bukur
Darga Baba Juman Shah
Historical Buildings and Archaeological Sites At Bela:
Shah Jamai Mosque
Tomb of General Muhammad ibn Haroon
Tomb of Colonel Robert Sandeman
Karia Pir
Others
Sassi Waro-Chodo (Sassi's Spring), near Paboni Naka, about
Bakkar Buthi, a small Harappan site located in the remote mountainous area to the east of the Las Bela plain.
Detailed History of Lasbela:
Las Bela was a princely state in India (later Pakistan) which existed until 1955. The state occupied an area of 18,254 km2 (7,048 sq mi) in the extreme southeast of the Balochistan province with an extensive coastline on the Arabian Sea to the south. Las Bela was bordered by the princely states of Kalat and Makran to the north and west. To the east lay the province of Sind and to the southeast lay the Federal Capital Territory around the city of Karachi.
The State of Las Bela was founded in 1742 by Ali Khan I. His descendants ruled Las Bela until 1955 when the state became part of West Pakistan. For a period of three years between 3 October 1952 and 14 October 1955, Las Bela was part of the Baluchistan States Union but retained internal autonomy. In 1955, Las Bela was incorporated into the new province of West Pakistan and became part of Kalat division. In 1962, the area of Las Bela was detached from Kalat division and merged with the former Federal Capital Territory to form the division of Karachi-Bela. When the provincial system was changed in 1970, Las Bela became part of the new province of Balochistan.
The main ethnic groups in Las Bela were Baluchis and Sindhis. The population was mainly Muslim but there was a significant population of Hindus.
Las Bela has a hot, dry tropical desert climate. It is only a few degrees north of the Tropic of Cancer. The sea breezes though make the weather less extreme than inland Balochistan, where
Rulers
The hereditary rulers of Las Bela were styled as Jam Sahib.The Samma Dynasty took the title "Jam", the equivalent of "King" or "Sultan", because they claimed to be descended from Jamshid. This is almost certainly fictitious.
Tenure Jams of Las Bela[2]
1742 - 1765 Jam Ali Khan I (surnamed Kathuria)
1765 - 1776 Jam Ghulam Shah
1776 - 1818 Mir Khan I
1818 - 1830 Ali Khan II
1830 - 1869 Mir Khan II (CIE , KCIE) (1st time)
1869 - 1886 Sir Ali Khan III (KCIE) (1st time)
1886 - 21 January 1888 Sir Mir Khan II (KCIE) (2nd time)
21 January 1888 - May 1896 Sir Ali Khan III (2nd time)
May 1896 - March 1921 Kamal Khan (CIE)
March 1921 - 1937 Ghulam Mohammad Khan (GCIE)
1937 - 14 October 1955 Ghulam Qadir Khan (CIE)
14 October 1955 State of Las Bela dissolved
Prominent members of the family after the end of the princely state included:
Jam Ghulam Qadir Khan former Chief Minister of Balochistan province
Jam Mohammad Yousaf former Chief Minister of Balochistan province
Prince Jam Ali Akbar former Provincial Minister of Balochistan Province.
Prince Jam Kamal Khan Nazim District Council of Lasbela.
Panjgur (Urdu: پنجگور) is a district in the west of Balochistan province of Pakistan. Panjgur was one of the three tehsils of Makran District until 1 July 1977 when that district became Makran Division and Panjgur became a district. Some of the towns that are within Panjgur District are Tasp,paroom, Washbood, Gramkhan, Kudabadan, Surdoo, Chitkan, Taroffice, Sarikoran, Bonistan, Ihrap, Sarekalat, Isaai and Surdhoo. Taroffice is the main town of Panjgur, where most of the offices are situated. Panjgur is the main district of makran. In Panjgur there are 6 high schools, 40 primary schools for girls, 8 primary schools for boys, 18 middle schools of which 3 schools are for girls,some private schools, 1 teacher training school and one inter college.[citation needed] In Panjgur there is also the historical castle of Nawab kharan.
The Rakshan River rises at the Nidoki pass, south-west of Shireza, district Washuk, Balochistan, Pakistan. Under the name of Nag, and running south-westward, it unites with the lop stream at a point to west of Nag-e-Kalat. It then flows west-south-west through the centre of the long valley comprising the Panjgur District, Makran, and parallel with the Siahan Range on the north and Zangi Lak hills on the south. In Rakshan it possesses little or no water, in Panjgur, however, it expands into a series of bright clear pools (kor joh) connected with each other by small water channels running over a pebbly bed. The banks are here bordered with numerous date palms and most of the water is used for irrigation. To the west of Kallag, the last village in Panjgur is Dabbag, where there are more pools and much long grass, tamarisk and kahur trees in which wild pigs were to be found in the early 20th century.
Musakhel (Pashto: موسا خیل ) is a district in the north west of Balochistan province of Pakistan. Musakhel was notified as a district on 1 January 1992 when Loralai District was divided into three districts, named Musakhel, Barkhan, and Loralai. Previously, Musakhel was one of the 4 sub-divisions of Loralai District.
When the district was first created it contained one sub-division, i.e., Musakhel, and further divided into one tehsil (Musakhel) and one sub-tehsil (Kingri). Musakhel Tehsil was divided into 3 Qanungo circles, Saddar Musakhel, Toisar, and Drug which are the patwar circles as well. The whole of Kingri sub-tehsil is one Qanungo circle and patwar circle. Majority of the people are pashtuns and an other tribe of Jaffar they are basicaly migrated from Afghanistan Jaffar tribe have two sub tribe Umrani and Khidrani tribe. Jaffar Tribe has own language (Jaffari) which is the main language of the Tehsil Durug and other tribes are pushtuns like and they are dvided in sub cast like BailKhel, HassanKhel Laharzai Hamazazai and salmeazai etc.
In 2005, another Tehsil was created, Drug Tehsil, consisting of 2 union councils on the direction of Jam Muhammad Yousuf, Ex-Chief Minister Balochistan, who visited Durug on the invitation of Dr. Ghulam Mehmood Jaffar, the then Nazim Durug.
Subdivisions
The district is administratively subdivided into the following tehsils.
When the district was first created it contained one sub-division, i.e., Musakhel, and further divided into one tehsil (Musakhel) and one sub-tehsil (Kingri). Musakhel Tehsil was divided into 3 Qanungo circles, Saddar Musakhel, Toisar, and Drug which are the patwar circles as well. The whole of Kingri sub-tehsil is one Qanungo circle and patwar circle. Majority of the people are pashtuns and an other tribe of Jaffar they are basicaly migrated from Afghanistan Jaffar tribe have two sub tribe Umrani and Khidrani tribe. Jaffar Tribe has own language (Jaffari) which is the main language of the Tehsil Durug and other tribes are pushtuns like and they are dvided in sub cast like BailKhel, HassanKhel Laharzai Hamazazai and salmeazai etc.
In 2005, another Tehsil was created, Drug Tehsil, consisting of 2 union councils on the direction of Jam Muhammad Yousuf, Ex-Chief Minister Balochistan, who visited Durug on the invitation of Dr. Ghulam Mehmood Jaffar, the then Nazim Durug.
Subdivisions
The district is administratively subdivided into the following tehsils.
Drug tehsil
In 2005, Drug was created a Tehsil, consisting of 2 union councils. No 1 is U/C Kiwan and 2nd Drug. Kiwan papolatin is 18,000 and area 1200 S km.Kiwan is a valley blessed with Natural beauty. 99% of the papulation belongs to Jaffer Tribe, hardworking and one of the highly educated family of Balochistan, The present Sardar of this Tribe is Sardar Ejaz khan Jaffar ,grandson of Sardar Allah dad khan jaffar(late).Jaffer Tribe has further divsions as Khidrani, Umerani etc.The literacy rate of Durug is one of the Highest in the province The valley can be rated as one of the beautiful valleys of the country. The total population of Kiwan is round about 18,000 people. The people are famous for giving respect and taking care of their guests.In U/C kiwan there much natural recorces but the piople can,t utilise it due to the pooverity. there is largest jungle of Zaitoon. The main recorces of income is Live stock and Agriculture. but it depends on rain. there is apportinaties to work in these sectors. In Kiwan there are small towns located around the main village Kiwan like; Kiwan, Lashkar Villa, Burkhoi, Tangi sar, Zawar , Nishpa,Bayhu and Tanga Sar etc. Tehsil Drug is a tribal area in which Jaffar, Zimri, Essote, Buzdar, Qaisrani,Lashkarani and Gharsheen tribes are settled. Drug is a valley blessed with Natural beauty. The total population of Drug is round about 8,000 people. In Tehsil Drug there are small towns located around the main village Drug like; Nath, Gadgoji, Kiara, Karkana, Zarni, Gabur, Khajhi, Burh kuhi, Bayhu and Tanga Sar etc.
It has 10 union council is given below
1.Drug 2.Kingree 3.Musakhel Sadar & Urban 4.Waha Hassan Kheil 5.Ghuriyasa 6.Zam 7.Toisar 8.Gharwandi 9.Sura Khawa 10.Musakhel
Some famous names of Essot Tribe are: 1.Mir Abdul Rehman essot.(Late) 2. Sardar Janan Khan (Late) 3. Mir Aimal Khan Essot.
Population
The population of Musakhel District is estimated to be over 193456 in 2005. Over 99% of the people of the area are Muslims.
Musakhel background
Musakhel, all hilly and green, is hard to be traced in the historical descriptions as there is no isolated account of the area available. However, by studying the history of Kandahár and northern Balochistan little can be ascertained about Musakhel. According to the early history, this area, being a part of Kandahár province, has been ruled by the Ghaznavids, Maliks of Kurat Dynasty, Amir Timur and his successors (1383-1470 AD), Sultan Husain Mirza of Herát (1470-1480 AD), and Amir Shuja-ud-Din Zunnún (1480-1504). In 1505 AD, the Mughals conquered the province of Kandahár and held it till 1559 AD when the Safavid Kings of Persia acquired it. The Mughals regained the province in 1595 AD but lost it again in 1622 AD, to the Safavid Kings of Persia. This time, the Safavids, conferred the government of Pishin and its tribal dependencies upon Sher Khan Tarin. He, after 7 years, refused to submit to the governor of Kandahár and became semi-independent, but had to retreat later on. In 1709 AD, the Afghan inhabitants rose under Mir Wais Ghilzai and established the Ghilzai power in Kandahár. The Ghilzai power was terminated by Nadir Shah in 1737 AD. After the assassination of Nadir Shah in 1747 AD, the first democratic government was established in Kandahár by the Afghans as they elected Ahmed Shah Durrani as their ruler. In 1826, the first Amir of Afghanistan, Dost Muhammad Barakzai, took hold of the area and annexed it to Afghanistan.
After the first phase of the Afghan war of 1878-79 AD, the British took control of the northern areas of Balochistan under the Treaty of Gandamak. During 1879-84 AD, efforts were made to extend the British influence over the Khetrans and Musakhels of the, now Musakhel, territory. The Musakhels took part in outrages committed by the Kakars under Shah Jahan in 1884, but surrendered to the British government on the conclusion of the expedition in the same year. On 1st November 1887, the whole area was declared part of British India. Zhob agency was formed in 1890 and Musakhel territory was annexed to it. Musakhel was made a tehsil in 1892 and was transferred to Loralai district in October 1903.
In 1905, the Musakhel tehsil comprised 61 villages and the total population, according to 1901 census, was 15,537 (8,374 males and 7,163 females). The principal tribes represented were: Isot Afghans (1,941); Jafar Afghans (1,026); Panri Afghans (10,144) including the Musakhel clan (9,748) the principal divisions of which were the Belkhel (7,662) and Laharzai (2,086); and Saiads (271). The chief language spoken was Pushto.
Musakhel remained a tehsil of Loralai district till 1st January 1992 when it was notified as a district as a result of splitting Loralai district into 3 districts, Loralai, Musakhel, and Barkhan. Although Musakhel is an old human settlement there is no remarkable archaeological site.
Sibi (Urdu: سبی) is a district in the Baluchistan province of Pakistan.[1] The main mountains range are Zen, Bambore and Dungan. The climatic and topography of Sibi District is quite varied compared to other districts of Baluchistan. It is also known as the "Hot spot" of Pakistan where the temperatures in the summer exceed far above normal over 50 °C. The district has two sub-divisions, Sibi and Harnai, which are further organized into tehsils and sub-tehsils: Sibi, Harnai, Kutmandi and Sangan.
History
Until the end of the 15th century the district had been a dependency of Multan and had been part of Ghaznavid Empire ruled by petty chief named Nasiruddin Kubacha Around 1500 it was taken by Shah Beg of the Arghun Dynasty and so came under the control of Kandahar. However during the period of Mughal rule the territory was once again ruled from Multan. In 1714 the territory was conquered by the Kalhoras of Sindh, but they were then displaced by the Durranis. During the rule of the Durranis the local governors were generally selected from the Barozai clan of the Panni Afghans.[2] In the 19th century it fell under Marris and Bugtis hand. To finish rebellion in the area, the British signed the Treaty of Gandamak in 1879.
The district of Sibi was established in 1903 during British Rule its area was larger than the current district and lay between 27°55' and 30°38'N and 67°17' and 69°50'E lying south of Loralai District, north of the Upper Sind Frontier District, west of Dera Ghazi Khan District and east of Kachhi, Bolan Pass and Quetta- Pishin. The total area of the district was 11,281 square miles (29,220 km2), but this included Marri Bugti county (7,129 square miles) which not directly administered by the British, leaving 4,152 square miles (10,750 km2) that were directly administered by the British [3] The population according to the 1901 census of India was 74,555 or 18 persons per square mile, the district contained four tehsils these were:
Tahsil -----------Area (sq mi) --Population
Kohlu -----------362 ------------1,743
Sibi -------------1,343 ----------20,526
Shahrig --------1,595 ----------16,573
Naseerabad---- 852 ------------33,713
Total -----------4,152 ----------74,555
1n 1974 the district was subdivided to create Naseerabad and Kohlu districts, in 1983 Dera Bugti District, and in 1986 Ziarat District. Until 2000, except for Naseerabad, these new districts were part of Sibi Division of Pakistan. In 2000 the third-tier "divisions" structure of government was dissolved.
Population
In 1901 the total population was 34,974. 90% of the population were Muslims and 10% were Hindus.Now a day the majority of Sibi District consist of Balochs that include Domki, Marri, GoLa, Chandio, Silachi, Gishkori, Bangulzai, Gorgage,and Ghulam Bolak and minor population of pashtoon only in tehsil sibi, there are living in over villages namely khajjak, marghzani, luni, dephpal and some are migrated in sibi town this is factual position of sibi.
Sibi District is Administratively Divided into two Sub Divisions i.e Sibi & Lehri.
Public Representatives of Sibi:- Sardarzada Mir Bakhtiar Khan Domki is the elected MPA of Constituency while Mir Ali Mardan Khan Domki District Nazim. Mir muhammad aslam gishkori is selected as district naib nazim by district caoncil while he is the u/c nazim of mall chandia. Mir asghar khan marri is the elected nazim of tehsil sibi. sardarzada Mir bijar khan domki is the nazim of tehsil lehri.
Transport
Sibi is on the western edge of Pakistan and is well connected with the country by a wide network of roads, railways and airways.
Railways
Sibi Railway Station is junction railway station. The railway track was lined in 1890s during the British era to link Sibi with rest of the country. The routes are Sibi from linked with Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Quetta, Multan, Faisalabad, Hyderabad, Rohri, Sukkur, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Kot Adu, Gujrat, Jacobabad, Gujranwala, Khanewal, Nawabshah, Attock, Jhelum, and Nowshera.
Roads
Sibi is well connected by roads to the rest of the country. Sibi is connecting with Quetta, Karachi, Jacobabad, Sukkur and Hyderabad route.
Bolan (Urdu: بولان) district is in the centre of Balochistan province of Pakistan. The Bolan area remained under one district Kachhi until 31 December 1991. The Deputy Commissioner’s office started functioning on 17 May 1992, Bolan became one of the four districts of Naseerabad Division - until the abolition of Divisions in 2000. The district is named after the historic Bolan Pass. The pass, 85 kilometres long, extends from Kolpur, the highest place in Bolan district with an altitude of 2,200 metres above sea level. The area included in the Bolan district is 8,036 km². Tehsils and Mozas of the Bolan district are: Machh, Dhadar, Nari Bala, Sanni, Khattan, Bhag and Lehri.
Bolan (Urdu: بولان) district Well known as Kachhi is in the centre of Balochistanprovince of Pakistan.[1] The Bolan area remained under one district Kachhi until 31 December 1991. The Deputy Commissioner’s office started functioning on 17 May 1992, Bolan became one of the four districts of Naseerabad Division - until the abolition of Divisions in 2000.
Administration
The district is administratively subdivided into the following tehsils:
Bhag
Dhadar
Machh
Sani
Population
For centuries the main tribe of Bolan was Kurd and the chief of Bolan and the most prominent personality of Bolan was Sardar Dinnar Khan Kurd. The population of Bolan districts in 2005 was estimated to be over 450,000. Muslims constitute over 99% of the population. There is a small Hindu minority in Bhag sub-division. The major Baloch tribes of the district are: Satakzai, Kurd,Rind, Raisani and Abro. Airy and Sheikh also main population of tehsil Bhag.
Main Tribes
Kurd, Satakzai, Rind, Raisani and Abro.
Bolan District
— District —
Country Pakistan
Province Balochistan
Capital Dhadar
Established December 1991
Government
- District president Mir Ismail Satakzai
- General Sectary Khalil Ahmed Sumalani
Area
- Total 8,036 km2 (3,102.7 sq mi)
Population (2005 Estimate)
- Total 450,000
Time zone PST (UTC+5)
District Council
Number of Tehsils 6
Balochistan, the largest of the four provinces of Pakistan, spreads over an area of 347,190 Sq, Kms., forming 43.6 per cent of the total area of Pakistan. It has clustered population and is smallest in proportion as compared to that of other provinces. Its population, according to 1998 census, is xx million, having a low density per square kilometer. Physically, Balochistan is an extensive plateau of rough terrain divided into basins by ranges of sufficient heights and ruggedness. Broadly, Balochistan geographic area can be divided in to four distinct zones: Upper high lands, lower high lands, plains, and deserts.
The upper highlands, known locally as Khorasan, rise as high as 3,700 meters, with valley floors about 1,500 meters above sea levels.
The highlands include Makran, Kharan and Chaghi ranges in the West and Sulaiman, Pab, Kirther in the east. The Upper High Lands fall mainly in districts Zhob, Killa Saifullah, Pishin, Quetta, Ziarat and Kalat. It comprises a number of ranges such as Sulaiman, TobakKakari, Murdar, Zarghoon, Takatu, and Chiltan ranges.
The Lower High Lands have an altitude ranging from 1970 to 3940 ft (600 to 1200 M). They are located in the south-eastern Balochistan, except eastern part of Kachi, the southern end of Dera Bugti and Nasirabad districts. Some are extension of lower high lands that exist at boundaries of Gwadar, Turbat, Panjgur, Kharan and Chaghi districts.
Balochistan has relatively small area of plains as compared to its total land area. They include the Kachi plain, situated to the south of Sibi and extending into Nasirabad Division, the southern part of Dera Bugti district, and narrow plain area along the Mekran coast stretching from Kachi to the Iranian border. The plains of Kachi, Las Bela and that of river Dasht cover sizable area. Mountains dominate the terrain, and valley floors, and piedmont plain make up only 15% of the landscape.
The western part of the province, mostly in Kharan and Chaghi districts, consists of vast plains covered with black gravel surface and broad expanses of sand dunes.
The coastal-line is about 760 Kilometers long, with a number of peninsulas and promontories. The coastal area is not effectively connected with the interior; the steep hills rise abruptly beyond the narrow costal plain. Ports, such as Somiani, Pasni and Gwadar are unsheltered. Federal and provincial governments have comprehensive development plans that feature a deep sea port at Gwadar and a coastal highway.
CLIMATE
The climate of the upper highlands is characterized by very cold winters and warm summers. Winters of the lower highlands vary from extremely cold in the northern districts to mild conditions closer to the Makran coast. Summers are hot and dry. The arid zones of Chaghi and Kharan districts are extremely hot in summer. The plain areas are also very hot in summer with temperatures rising as high as 120 degrees F (50 degrees C). Winters are mild on the plains with the temperature, never falling below the freezing point. The desert climate is characterized by hot and very arid conditions. Occasionally strong windstorms make these areas very inhospitable.
RAIN FALL
Average annual precipitation in Balochistan varies from 2 to 20 inches (50 to 500 mm). Maximum precipitation falls in the northeastern areas with annual average rain fall ranging from 8 to 20 inches (200 to 500 mm). It decreases in the south and the eastern parts and is minimum in Naukundi. Kharan and Dalbandin area, rainfall ranges between 1 to 2 inches (25 to 50mm). Evaporation rates are higher than the precipitation and generally vary from 72 to 76 inches (1830 1930 mm) per annum.
RIVERS AND STREAMS
All rivers and streams are part of three major drainage systems. Coastal drainage system is characterized by small, ephemeral streams and hill torrents. Rivers and streams that do not possess any significant perennial flow constitute Inland system that dominates the central and northwestern area of the province. Nari, Kaha and Gaj rivers are part of Indus drainage system located in the northeastern margins of the province. The flow in rivers is typified by spring runoff and occasional flash floods. The rivers beds are dry and look like small streams. Stream gradients are high and the rate of run off is very rapid. The Zhob River Basin drains towards the northeast into the Gomal River which ultimately joins the Indus River. Streams along the border of Punjab and Sindh provinces flow toward the east and southeast into the Indus River. Central and western Balochistan drains towards the south and the southwest into the Arabian Sea. Some areas located in districts Chaghi, Kharan, and Panjgur drain into playa lakes, locally called " Hamun" such as Humun-e-Lora and Hamun-e-Mashkel etc.
The important rivers in Balochistan are Zhob, Nari, Bolan, Pishin, Lora, Mula, Hub, Porali, Hingol, Rakshan and Dasht
t is this Sea voyage that gave to the Indus Land its earliest name of Meluhha because the Indus people were characterized as Malahha (Sailor) in the Babylonian records.