Balochistan, Pakistan

This article is about the province of Pakistan. For the geographic region, see Balochistan. For other uses, see Balochistan (disambiguation).

Balochistan (/bəˈlɒtʃɪstɑːn, bəˌlɒtʃɪˈstɑːn, -stæn/; Balochi: بلۏچستان^{[citation needed]}; Urdu: بلوچستان, Urdu pronunciation: [bəloːt͡ʃɪst̪ɑːn] ^ⓘ) is a province of Pakistan. Located in the southwestern region of the country, Balochistan is the largest province of Pakistan by land area but is the least populated one. It is bordered by the Pakistani provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to the north-east, Punjab to the east and Sindh to the south-east; shares international borders with Iran to the west and Afghanistan to the north; and is bound by the Arabian Sea to the south. Balochistan is an extensive plateau of rough terrain divided into basins by ranges of sufficient heights and ruggedness. It has the world's largest deep sea port, the Port of Gwadar lying in the Arabian Sea.

Balochistan بلوچستان
Province
Province of Balochistan
Quaid-e-Azam Residency Princess of Hope Hanna Lake Koh-i-Chiltan Kund Malir Canyons of Balochistan Pasni
Flag Seal
Location of Balochistan in Pakistan
Coordinates: 27.7°N 65.7°E / 27.7; 65.7
Country	Pakistan
Established	1 July 1970
Capital and largest city	Quetta
Government
• Type	Self-governing province subject to the federal government
• Body	Government of Balochistan
• Governor	Sheikh Jaffar Khan Mandokhail
• Chief Minister	Sarfraz Bugti
• Chief Secretary	Shakeel Qadir Khan
• Legislature	Provincial Assembly
• High Court	Balochistan High Court
Area
• Total	347,190 km2 (134,050 sq mi)
• Rank	1st
Population  (2023)[1]
• Total	14,894,402
• Rank	4th
• Density	43/km2 (110/sq mi)
GDP (nominal)
• Total (2022)	$20 billion (4th)[a]
• Per Capita	$1,621 (5th)
GDP (PPP)
• Total (2022)	$80 billion (4th)[a]
• Per Capita	$6,485 (5th)
Time zone	UTC+05:00 (PKT)
ISO 3166 code	PK-BA
Main language(s)	Urdu, English (official) Spoken Languages: Balochi, Pashto, Brahui, Sindhi
Notable sports teams	Quetta Gladiators Quetta Bears Balochistan cricket team
HDI (2019)	0.475 [4] low
Literacy rate (2020)	54.5% [5]
Seats in National Assembly	20
Seats in Provincial Assembly	65
Divisions	8
Districts	35
Tehsils	134
Union Councils	978[6]
Website	www.balochistan.gov.pk

Although it makes up about 44% of the land area of Pakistan, only 5% of it is arable and it is noted for an extremely dry desert climate.^[7][8] Despite this, agriculture and livestock make up about 47% of Balochistan's economy.^[8]

The name "Balochistan" means "the land of the Baloch". Largely underdeveloped, its economy is also dominated by natural resources, especially its natural gas fields. Aside from Quetta, the second-largest city of the province is Turbat in the south, while another area of major economic importance is the port city of Gwadar on the Arabian Sea, an emerging future business hub.^[7][9]

History

Main article: History of Balochistan

Early history

Map showing the sites and extent of the Indus Valley civilisation. Mohenjo-Daro and Mehrgarh were among the centres of the Indus Valley Civilisation in the modern-day province. Balochistan marked the westernmost territory of the civilisation, which was one of the most developed in the old Bronze Age in the world.

Balochistan occupies the very southeasternmost portion of the Iranian plateau, the setting for the earliest known farming settlements in the pre-Indus Valley civilisation era, the earliest of which was Mehrgarh, dated at 7000 BCE,^[10] within the province. Balochistan marked the westernmost extent of civilisation. Centuries before the arrival of Islam in the seventh century, parts of Balochistan were ruled by the Paratarajas, an Indo-Scythian dynasty. At certain times, the Kushans also held political sway in parts of Balochistan.^{[citation needed]}

The Hindu Sewa Dynasty ruled parts of Balochistan, chiefly Kalat.^[11][12] The Sibi Division, which was carved out of Quetta Division and Kalat Division in 1974, derives its name from Rani Sewi, the queen of the Sewa dynasty.^[13]

The remnants of the earliest people in Balochistan were the Brahui people, a Dravidian speaking people. The Brahuis retained the Dravidian language throughout the millennias.^[14]

Although during the Stone and Bronze Age and Alexander the Great's empire an indigenous population existed, the Baloch people themselves did not enter the region until the 14th century CE.^[15] A theory of the origin of the Baloch people, the largest ethnic group in the region, is that they are of Median descent.^[16]

Arrival of Islam

In 654, Abdulrehman ibn Samrah, governor of Sistan and the newly emerged Rashidun caliphate at the expense of Sassanid Persia and the Byzantine Empire, sent an Islamic army to crush a revolt in Zaranj, which is now in southern Afghanistan. After conquering Zaranj, a column of the army pushed north, conquering Kabul and Ghazni, in the Hindu Kush mountain range, while another column moved through Quetta District in north-western Balochistan and conquered the area up to the ancient cities of Dawar and Qandabil (Bolan).^[17] It is documented that the major settlements, falling within today's province, became in 654 controlled by the Rashidun caliphate, except for the well-defended mountain town of QaiQan which is now Kalat.

During the caliphate of Ali, a revolt broke out in southern Balochistan's Makran region.^[18] In 663, during the reign of Umayyad Caliph Muawiyah I, his Muslim rule lost control of north-eastern Balochistan and Kalat when Haris ibn Marah and a large part of his army died in battle against a revolt in Kalat.^[19]

Pre-modern era

In the 15th century, Mir Chakar Khan Rind became the first Sirdar of Afghan, Iranian and Pakistani Balochistan. He was a close aide of the Timurid ruler Humayun, and was succeeded by the Khanate of Kalat, which owed allegiance to the Mughal Empire. Later, Nader Shah won the allegiance of the rulers of eastern Balochistan. He ceded Kalhora, one of the Sindh territories of Sibi-Kachi, to the Khanate of Kalat.^[20][21][22] Ahmad Shah Durrani, founder of the Afghan Empire, also won the allegiance of that area's rulers, and many Baloch fought under him during the Third Battle of Panipat. Most of the area would eventually revert to local Baloch control after Afghan rule.

Colonial era

A historical sketch of Bolan Pass, Balochistan, Pakistan

In 1876, northern Baluchistan became one of the presidencies and provinces of British India in colonial India.^[23] During this time from the fall of the Durrani Empire in 1823, four princely states were recognised and reinforced in Balochistan: Makran, Kharan, Las Bela and Kalat. In 1876, Robert Sandeman negotiated the Treaty of Kalat, which brought the Khan's territories, including Kharan, Makran, and Las Bela, under British protection, even though they remained independent princely states.^[24] After the Second Afghan War was ended by the Treaty of Gandamak in May 1879, the Afghan Emir ceded the districts of Quetta, Pishin, Harnai, Sibi and Thal Chotiali to British control. On 1 April 1883, the British took control of the Bolan Pass, south-east of Quetta, from the Khan of Kalat. In 1887, small additional areas of Balochistan were declared British territory.^[25] In 1893, Sir Mortimer Durand negotiated an agreement with the Amir of Afghanistan, Abdur Rahman Khan, to fix the Durand Line running from Chitral to Balochistan as the boundary between the Emirate of Afghanistan and British-controlled areas.^{[citation needed]} Two devastating earthquakes occurred in Balochistan during British colonial rule: the 1935 Quetta earthquake, which devastated Quetta, and the 1945 Balochistan earthquake with its epicentre in the Makran region.^[26] During the time of the Indian independence movement, "three pro-Congress parties were still active in Balochistan's politics apart from Balochistan's Muslim League", such as the Anjuman-i-Watan Baluchistan, which favoured a united India and opposed its partition.^[27][28]

After independence

Quetta Railway Station

In British-ruled Colonial India, Baluchistan contained a Chief Commissioner's province and princely states (including Kalat, Makran, Las Bela and Kharan) that became a part of Pakistan.^[29] The province's Shahi Jirga (the grand council of tribal elders^[30]) and the non-official members of the Quetta Municipality,^[31] according to the Pakistani narrative,^[32]: 80 agreed to join Pakistan unanimously on 29 June 1947;^[31] however, the Shahi Jirga was stripped of its members from the Kalat State prior to the vote.^[32]: 81 The then-president of the Baluchistan Muslim League, Qazi Muhammad Isa, informed Muhammad Ali Jinnah that "Shahi Jirga in no way represents the popular wishes of the masses" and that members of the Kalat State were "excluded from voting; only representatives from the British part of the province voted and the British part included the leased areas of Quetta, Nasirabad Tehsil, Nushki and Bolan Agency."^[32]: 81 Following the referendum, on 22 June 1947 the Khan of Kalat received a letter from members of the Shahi Jirga, as well as sardars from the leased areas of Baluchistan, stating that they, "as a part of the Baloch nation, were a part of the Kalat state too" and that if the question of Baluchistan's accession to Pakistan arise, "they should be deemed part of the Kalat state rather than (British) Balochistan".^[32]: 82 This has brought into question whether an actual vote took place.^[32]: 82 Political scientist Salman Rafi Sheikh, in locating the origins of the insurgency in Balochistan, says "that Balochistan's accession to Pakistan was, as against the officially projected narrative, not based upon consensus, nor was support for Pakistan overwhelming. What this manipulation indicates is that even before formally becoming a part of Pakistan, Balochistan had fallen a prey to political victimization."^[32]: 82

Initially aspiring for independence,^[31] the Khan of Kalat finally acceded to Pakistan on 27 March 1948 after period of negotiations with Pakistan.^[33] The signing of the Instrument of Accession by Ahmad Yar Khan led his brother, Prince Abdul Karim, to revolt against his brother's decision due to their family rift.^[34] in July 1948.^[35] Princes Agha Abdul Karim Baloch and Muhammad Rahim refused to lay down arms, leading the Dosht-e Jhalawan in unconventional attacks on the army until 1950.^[34] The Prince indulged in Terror activities without any assistance from others.^[36] Jinnah and his successors allowed Yar Khan to retain his title until the province's dissolution in 1955.

Insurgencies by Baloch nationalists took place in 1948, 1958–59, 1962–63 and 1973–77, with a new ongoing insurgency by autonomy-seeking Baloch groups since 2003.^[37][38] While many Baloch support the demand for autonomy, the majority are not interested in seceding from Pakistan.^[39]

At a press conference on 8 June 2015 in Quetta, Balochistan's Home Minister Sarfraz Bugti accused India's prime minister Narendra Modi of openly supporting terrorism. Bugti implicated India's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) of being responsible for recent attacks at military bases in Smangli and Khalid, and for subverting the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) agreement.^[40][41][42]

Gwadar, a region of Balochistan, was a colony of Oman for more than a century, and in the 1960s Pakistan took over the land. Many people in this region are therefore Omani.^[43]

Geography

Astola Island

Balochistan is situated in the southwest of Pakistan and covers an area of 347,190 square kilometres (134,050 sq mi). It is Pakistan's largest province by area, constituting 44% of Pakistan's total landmass. The province is bordered by Afghanistan to the north and north-west, Iran to the south-west, Punjab and Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas to the north-east. To the south lies the Arabian Sea. Balochistan is located on the south-eastern part of the Iranian plateau. It borders the geopolitical regions of the Middle East and Southwest Asia, Central Asia and South Asia. Balochistan lies at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz and provides the shortest route from seaports to Central Asia. Its geographical location has placed the otherwise desolate region in the scope of competing for global interests for all of recorded history.

The capital city Quetta is located in a densely populated portion of the Sulaiman Mountains in the northeast of the province. It is situated in a river valley near the Bolan Pass, which has been used as the route of choice from the coast to Central Asia, entering through Afghanistan's Kandahar region. The British and other historic empires have crossed the region to invade Afghanistan by this route.^[44]

Balochistan is rich in exhaustible and renewable resources; it is the second major supplier of natural gas in Pakistan. The province's renewable and human resource potential has not been systematically measured or exploited. Local inhabitants have chosen to live in towns and have relied on sustainable water sources for thousands of years.

Climate

The climate of the upper highlands is characterised by very cold winters and hot summers. In the lower highlands, winters vary from extremely cold in northern districts Ziarat, Quetta, Kalat, Muslim Baagh and Khanozai, where temperatures can drop to −20 °C (−4 °F), to milder conditions closer to the Makran coast. Winters are mild on the plains, with temperatures never falling below freezing point. Summers are hot and dry, especially in the arid zones of Chagai and Kharan districts. The plains are also very hot in summer, with temperatures reaching 50 °C (122 °F). The record highest temperature, 53 °C (127 °F), was recorded in Sibi on 26 May 2010,^[45] exceeding the previous record, 52 °C (126 °F). Other hot areas include Turbat and Dalbandin. The desert climate is characterised by hot and very arid conditions. Occasionally, strong windstorms make these areas very inhospitable.

Government and politics

Main articles: Government of Balochistan, Pakistan; List of districts in Balochistan, Pakistan; and List of cities in Balochistan

In common with the other provinces of Pakistan, Balochistan has a parliamentary form of government. The ceremonial head of the province is the Governor, who is appointed by the President of Pakistan on the advice of the provincial Chief Minister. The Chief Minister, the province's chief executive, is normally the leader of the largest political party or alliance of parties in the provincial assembly.

Balochistan Governor House Quetta

The unicameral Provincial Assembly of Balochistan comprises 65 seats of which 11 are reserved for women and 3 reserved for non-Muslims. The judicial branch of government is carried out by the Balochistan High Court, which is based in Quetta and headed by a Chief Justice.

Besides dominant Pakistan-wide political parties (such as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Pakistan Muslim League (N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party), Balochistan nationalist parties (such as the National Party and the Balochistan National Party (Mengal)) have been prominent in the province.^[37]

Administrative divisions

Divisions of Balochistan

Note: In this map, Lehri is shown within Sibi District on #27. Sohbatpur and Usta Muhammad is shown within Jafarabad District on #8.Hub is shown within Lasbela District on #17.

For administrative purposes, the province is divided into seven divisions: Kalat, Makran, Nasirabad, Quetta, Sibi, Zhob and Rakhshan. This divisional level was abolished in 2000, but restored after the 2008 election. Each division is under an appointed commissioner. The seven divisions are further subdivided into 36 districts:^[46][47]

As of June 2021, there are eight divisions. The eighth division, Loralai Division was created by bifurcating Zhob Division.^[48]

Sr. No.	District	Headquarters	Area (km2)[49]	Population (2023)[49]	Density (people/km2)[49]	Division
1	Awaran	Awaran	29,510	178,958	6.1	Kalat
2	Barkhan	Barkhan	3,514	210,249	59.8	Loralai
3	Chagai	Dalbandin	44,748	269,192	6.0	Rakhshan
4	Chaman	Chaman	1,341	466,218	347.7	Quetta
5	Dera Bugti	Dera Bugti	10,160	355,274	35.0	Sibi
6	Duki	Duki	4,233	205,044	48.4	Loralai
7	Gwadar	Gwadar	12,637	305,160	24.2	Makran
8	Harnai	Harnai	2,492	127,571	51.2	Sibi
9	Hub	Hub	N/A	N/A	N/A	Kalat
10	Jafarabad	Dera Allahyar	1,643	594,558	361.1	Nasirabad
11	Jhal Magsi	Gandava	3,615	203,368	56.2	Nasirabad
12	Kachhi	Dhadar	5,682	442,674	77.9	Nasirabad
13	Kalat	Kalat	7,654	271,560	35.5	Kalat
14	Kech	Turbat	22,539	1,060,931	47.0	Makran
15	Kharan	Kharan	14,958	260,352	17.4	Rakhshan
16	Khuzdar	Khuzdar	35,380	997,214	28.2	Kalat
17	Kohlu	Kohlu	7,610	260,220	34.2	Sibi
18	Lasbela	Uthal	15,153	680,977	44.9	Kalat
19	Loralai	Loralai	3,785	272,432	72.0	Loralai
20	Mastung	Mastung	3,308	313,271	94.7	Kalat
21	Musakhel	Musa Khel Bazar	5,728	182,275	31.8	Loralai
22	Nasirabad	Dera Murad Jamali	3,387	563,315	166.1	Nasirabad
23	Nushki	Nushki	5,797	207,834	35.9	Rakhshan
24	Panjgur	Panjgur	16,891	509,781	30.2	Makran
25	Pishin	Pishin	6,218	835,482	134.6	Quetta
26	Quetta	Quetta	3,447	2,595,492	754.3	Quetta
27	Qila Abdullah	Jungle Pir Alizai	3,553	361,971	102.3	Quetta
28	Qilla Saifullah	Qilla Saifullah	6,831	380,200	55.7	Zhob
29	Sherani	Sherani	4,310	191,687	44.5	Zhob
30	Sibi	Sibi	7,121	224,148	31.5	Sibi
31	Sohbatpur	Sohbatpur	802	240,106	299.6	Nasirabad
32	Surab	Surab	762	279,038	366.5	Kalat
33	Washuk	Washuk	33,093	302,623	9.1	Rakhshan
34	Zhob	Zhob	15,987	355,692	22.2	Zhob
35	Ziarat	Ziarat	3,301	189,535	57.4	Kalat
36	Usta Muhammad	Usta Muhammad	N/A	N/A	N/A	Nasirabad

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Population	Urban
1901	810,746[50]: 5	N/A
1911	834,703[50]: 5	N/A
1921	799,625[50]: 5	N/A
1931	868,617[50]: 5	N/A
1941	857,835[50]: 5	13.30%[50]: 2
1951	1,167,167	12.38%
1961	1,353,484	16.87%
1972	2,428,678	16.45%
1981	4,332,376	15.62%
1998	6,565,885	23.89%
2017	12,344,408	27.55%
2023	14,894,402	30.96%

Balochistan's population density is low due to the mountainous terrain and scarcity of water. In March 2012, preliminary census figures showed that the population of Balochistan, not including the districts of Khuzdar, Kech and Panjgur, had reached 13,162,222, an increase of 139.3% from 5,501,164 in 1998. The population constituted 6.85% of Pakistan's total population. This was the largest increase in population in any province of Pakistan during that time period, almost thrice the national increase of 46.9%.^[51][52][53] Official estimates of Balochistan's population grew from approximately 7.45 million in 2003 to 7.8 million in 2005.^[54] The 2023 Census enumerated a population of 14,894,402.

Languages and ethnicities

Languages of Balochistan (2023)^[55]

  Balochi (39.91%)

  Pashto (34.03%)

  Brahui (17.22%)

  Sindhi (3.81%)

  Saraiki (2.19%)

  Punjabi (0.59%)

  Urdu (0.53%)

  Others (1.5%)

According to the preliminary results of the 2023 census, the languages with the most native speakers in the province are Balochi, spoken by 39.91% of the population (an increase of 4% compared to the 2017 census), and Pashto whose share is at 34.34%.^[56]

The Pashtuns mainly inhabit the north of Balochistan and form the majority in Quetta. Baloch on the other hand are found throughout Balochistan, but most highly concentrated in the west and south of the province.

Brahui is spoken by 17.22% mainly in the central part of Balochistan. Other languages include Sindhi (3.81%), Saraiki (2.19%), Punjabi (0.59%), Urdu (0.53%) and others at (1.5%).^[56]

Balochi forms the majority in 21 districts and Pashto forms majority in 9 districts of Balochistan.^[57] Brahui has majority in 4 districts. In the Lasbela, Hub districts and in Kachhi plain region a large minority of the population speaks Lasi and Siraiki,^[58] which are dialects of Sindhi.^[59]

According to the Ethnologue, households speaking Balochi, whose primary dialect is Makrani constitutes 13%, Rukhshani 10%, Sulemani 7%, and Khetrani 3% of the population. Other languages spoken are Lasi, Urdu, Punjabi, Hazargi, Sindhi, Saraiki, Dehvari, Dari, Tajik, Hindko, Uzbek, and Hindki.^[60]

The 2005 census concerning Afghans in Pakistan showed that a total of 769,268^[61] Afghan refugees were temporarily staying in Balochistan. However, there are probably fewer Afghans living in Balochistan today as many refugees repatriated in 2013. As of 2015, there are only 327,778 registered Afghan refugees according to the UNHCR.^[62]

Language in Balochistan Province (1911–2023)

Mother Tongue	1911[63]: 32		1921[64]: 31		1931[65]: 85		2017[66]		2023[67]
	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%
Balochi	233,240	27.94%	225,368	28.18%	267,074	30.75%	4,377,825	35.49%	5,811,185	39.91%
Pashto	227,553	27.26%	201,873	25.25%	207,181	23.85%	4,359,533	35.34%	4,955,245	34.03%
Brahui	145,299	17.41%	139,727	17.47%	127,479	14.68%	2,112,295	17.12%	2,507,157	17.22%
Sindhi	121,849	14.6%	111,412	13.93%	153,032	17.62%	562,309	4.56%	555,198	3.81%
Punjabi/Saraiki/Hindko[b]	75,641	9.06%	80,706	10.09%	69,869	8.04%	500,164[c]	4.05%	429,715[d]	2.95%
Urdu[e]	10,983	1.32%	16,267	2.03%	17,131	1.97%	100,528	0.81%	77,249	0.53%
Dehwari	7,579	0.91%	6,268	0.78%	5,233	0.6%	—	—	—	—
English	4,349	0.52%	5,053	0.63%	5,369	0.62%	—	—	—	—
Persian	3,833	0.46%	3,591	0.45%	5,020	0.58%	—	—	—	—
Pahari	2,258	0.27%	5,401	0.68%	7,901	0.91%	—	—	—	—
Marathi	846	0.1%	1,124	0.14%	789	0.09%	—	—	—	—
Gujarati	580	0.07%	494	0.06%	618	0.07%	—	—	—	—
Rajasthani (Mewati)	324	0.04%	962	0.12%	530	0.06%	—	—	285	0%
Bihari	144	0.02%	490	0.06%	—	—	—	—	—	—
Arabic	78	0.01%	6	0%	9	0%	—	—	—	—
Tamil	55	0.01%	349	0.04%	150	0.02%	—	—	—	—
Telugu	20	0%	64	0.01%	42	0%	—	—	—	—
Kashmiri	16	0%	165	0.02%	201	0.02%	17,803	0.14%	7,352	0.05%
Bengali	13	0%	70	0.01%	93	0.01%	—	—	—	—
Shina	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1,278	0.01%
Kohistani	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1,014	0.01%
Balti	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	846	0.01%
Kalasha	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	82	0%
Others	43	0.01%	235	0.03%	896	0.1%	304,672	2.47%	215,405	1.48%
Total responses	834,703	100%	799,625	100%	868,617	100%	12,335,129	100%	14,562,011	97.77%
Total population	834,703	100%	799,625	100%	868,617	100%	12,335,129	100%	14,894,402	100%

Religion

See also: Hinduism in Balochistan and Baluchistan Agency § Religion

According to the 2017 Census, nearly all of the population of Balochistan were Muslims. There were also Hindu and Christian minorities in the province. The Hindu population in the province was approximately 49,133 (including the Scheduled Castes).^[68][69][70] The Shri Hinglaj Mata mandir which is the largest Hindu pilgrimage centre in Pakistan is situated in Balochistan.^[71] There was also a Christian minority of 26,462 individuals in the province.^[69]

Religion in Balochistan (1901–2023)

Religious group	1901[72]: 5		1911[63]: 9–13		1921[64]: 47–52		1931[65]: 149		1941[50]: 13–18		1951[73][74]		1998[75]		2017[76]		2023[77]
	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%
Islam	765,368	94.4%	782,648	93.76%	733,477	91.73%	798,093	91.88%	785,181	91.53%	1,137,063	98.52%	6,484,006	98.75%	12,255,528	99.28%	14,429,568	99.09%
Hinduism	38,158	4.71%	38,326	4.59%	51,348	6.42%	53,681	6.18%	54,394	6.34%	13,087	1.13%	39,146	0.6%	49,378	0.4%	59,107	0.41%
Sikhism	2,972	0.37%	8,390	1.01%	7,741	0.97%	8,425	0.97%	12,044	1.4%	—	—	—	—	—	—	1,057	0.007%
Christianity	4,026	0.5%	5,085	0.61%	6,693	0.84%	8,059	0.93%	6,056	0.71%	3,937	0.34%	26,462	0.4%	33,330	0.27%	62,731	0.43%
Zoroastrianism	166	0.02%	170	0.02%	165	0.02%	167	0.02%	76	0.01%	79	0.01%	—	—	—	—	181	0%
Judaism	48	0.01%	57	0.01%	19	0.002%	17	0.002%	20	0.002%	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Jainism	8	0.001%	10	0.001%	17	0.002%	17	0.002%	7	0.001%	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Buddhism	0	0%	16	0.002%	160	0.02%	68	0.01%	43	0.01%	1	0%	—	—	—	—	—	—
Ahmadiyya	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	9,800	0.15%	2,469	0.02%	557	0.004%
Others	0	0%	1	0%	5	0.001%	75	0.009%	14	0.002%	0	0%	6,471	0.1%	3,703	0.03%	8,810	0.06%
Total responses	810,746	100%	834,703	100%	799,625	100%	868,617	100%	857,835	100%	1,154,167	100%	6,565,885	100%	12,344,408	100%	14,562,011	97.77%
Total Population	810,746	100%	834,703	100%	799,625	100%	868,617	100%	857,835	100%	1,154,167	100%	6,565,885	100%	12,344,408	100%	14,562,011	100%

Education

The literacy rate of the province in 2017 was 43.6%, an increase from 24.8% in 1998.^[78]

Medical colleges

• Bolan University of Medical & Health Sciences
• Makran Medical College, Turbat

Engineering universities

• Balochistan University of Engineering and Technology, Khuzdar
• Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences, Quetta

General universities

• University of Balochistan, Quetta
• Al-Hamd Islamic University, Quetta
• Sardar Bahadur Khan Women's University, Quetta
• Lasbela University of Agriculture, Water and Marine Sciences, Lasbela
• University of Turbat, Turbat
• University of Loralai, Loralai
• University of Gwadar, Gwadar

Economy

Main article: Economy of Balochistan, Pakistan

The economy of Balochistan is largely based upon agriculture, livestock, fisheries, production of natural gas, coal and other minerals.^[79]

Though agriculture and livestock play a dominant role in the provincial economy by contributing 47% of its GDP, it faced intense damages due to the 2022 Pakistan floods. The floods killed around 500,000 of Balochistan's livestock and damaged cultivation and agricultural output in 32 out of 35 districts of the province. The Lasbela district was the worst hit as the floods washed away fourt-fifth's of the homes, crops and livestock.^[80] Due to the floods and severe drought conditions, the province faces food insecurity and is 85% dependent on the Sindh and Punjab provinces for the supply of wheat.^[81][82]

Furthermore, with the exception of Quetta, Balochistan has been called a "neglected province where a majority of population lacks amenities".^[83][84] Although the province is rich in natural resources capable of uplifting its economy, most of them have not been fully utilised for the welfare of the population and are yet to be explored or developed.^[85]

Since the mid-1970s the province's contribution to Pakistan's GDP has dropped from 4.9 to 3.7%,^[86] and as of 2007 it had the highest poverty rate and infant and maternal mortality rate, and the lowest literacy rate in comparison to other provinces,^[87] factors some allege have contributed to the insurgency.^[84] However, in seventh NFC awards, Punjab province and Federal contributed to increase Baluchistan share more than its entitled population based share.^[88] In Balochistan poverty is increasing. In 2001–2002 poverty incidences were at 48% and by 2005–2006 these were at 50.9%.^[89] According to a report on Dawn, the rate of multidimensional poverty in Balochistan had risen to 71% by 2016.^[90]

Several major development projects, including the construction of a new deep sea port at the strategically important town of Gwadar,^[91] are in progress in Balochistan. The port is projected to be the hub of an energy and trade corridor to and from China, Middle East and the Central Asian republics. The Mirani Dam on the Dasht River, 50 kilometres (31 mi) west of Turbat in the Makran Division, is being built to provide water to expand agricultural land use by 35,000 km² (14,000 sq mi) where it would otherwise be unsustainable.^[92] In the district Lasbela, there is an oil refinery owned by Byco International Incorporated (BII), which is capable of processing 120,000 barrels of oil per day. A power station is located adjacent to the refinery.^[93] Several cement plants and a marble factory are also located there.^[94][95][96] One of the world's largest ship breaking yards is located on the coast.^[97]

Natural resource extraction

Balochistan's share of Pakistan's national income has historically ranged between 3.7% to 4.9%.^[98] Since 1972, Balochistan's gross income has grown in size by 2.7 times.^[99] Outside Quetta, the resource extraction infrastructure of the province is gradually developing but still lags far behind other parts of Pakistan.

The agreements for royalty rights and ownership of mineral rights were reached during a period of unprecedented natural disasters, economic, social, political, and cultural unrest in Pakistan. The negotiations were widely considered to be insufficiently transparent.^[100]

Culture

Main article: Culture of Balochistan

Tourism

Main article: Tourism in Balochistan, Pakistan

Places of interest

Following is a list of a few tourist attractions and places of interest in Balochistan:

• Astola Island
• Bolan Pass
• Dureji
• Gadani Beach
• Gadani Ship Breaking Yard
• Gwadar
• Hanna Lake
• Hazarganji-Chiltan National Park, near Quetta.
• Hinglaj Mata Temples
• Hingol National Park
• Hub Dam
• Jiwani Coastal Wetland
• Khuzdar
• Kund Malir
• Makran Coastal Highway
• Mehrgarh
• Moola Chotok
• Pir Ghaib Waterfall, Balochistan
• Quaid-e-Azam Residency
• Quetta
• The princess of hope, Balochistan
• Urak Valley
• Zhob
• Ziarat Juniper Forest
• Ziarat

CNIC Codes

• Kalat Division (51XXX)
• Makran Division (52XXX)
• Nasirabad Division (53XXX)
• Quetta Division (54XXX)
• Sibi Division (55XXX)
• Zhob Division + Loralai Division (56XXX)

See also

• Geography portal
• Asia portal
• Pakistan portal

• Balochistan (geographic region)
• Balochistan, Afghanistan
• Balochistan, Iran
• List of cities in Balochistan, Pakistan by population
• List of cultural heritage sites in Balochistan, Pakistan
• Insurgency in Balochistan

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1. Balochistan's contribution to national economy was 5.33%, or $80 billion (PPP) and $20 billion (nominal) in 2022.^[2][3]
2. Standard Punjabi, Saraiki, and Hindko included together for comparative purposes, as they were previously enumerated jointly as Punjabi languages and dialects.
3. Saraiki: 326,656 persons
   Standard Punjabi: 139,207 persons
   Hindko: 34,301 persons
4. Saraiki: 319,054 persons
   Standard Punjabi: 86,457 persons
   Hindko: 24,204 persons
5. Previously also enumerated as Hindi or Hindustani.

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Further reading

• Johnson, E.A. (1999). Lithofacies, depositional environments, and regional stratigraphy of the lower Eocene Ghazij Formation, Balochistan, Pakistan. U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1599. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Geological Survey.
• Philippe Fabry, Balouchistan, le désert insoumis, Paris, Nathan Image, 1991, 136 p., ISBN 2-09-240036-3

External links

• Official website
• Sibi District; Archived 11 January 2019 at the Wayback Machine
• Guide to Balochistan
• Balochistan Archives—Preserving our Past