Balochistan is the geographically largest province of Pakistan. It covers an area of 347190 km² .It is called Balochistan due to the majority of Baloch people in this province. It meets Sind and Punjab in its east, while its north meets FATA (Federally Administrated Tribal Areas), its west meets Iranian Balochistan and its South meets the Arabian Sea. Major languages of this province are Balochi, Sindhi, Brahvi, Pashto and Persian (Farsi). Quetta is its capital city. Balochistan has unlimited natural resources such as minerals, gas etc.
Population density is not very high because this province has scarcity of water and mostly it contains hilly areas, hard rocks and mountains. Its soutren region is called as Makran while in its center Kalat exists. Bolan Pass that is the natural connecting pass between Afghanistan and Balochistan, this area is dominated by the Suleman Mountains. Gawadar is the most popular beach of Pakistan and it is going to be the duty free port like Dubai in the map of business and trade world. Weather of Balochistan is very hot in summer while it becomes cold in winters. Heavy snow fall occurs in winters. Total population of balochistan is approximately ten million; among them 62% population consists of Baloch and Brohi tribes while other includes Pashtons, Hazaras, Sindhis and Persians. Balochistan contains the world’s largest deposits of gold and copper in the area of Reko, Dig, Chagai District. Balochistan is not a modern area of Pakistan because it is ruled by the tribesman who believes in honor killings, they are running their own traditions, rules and regulations. The tradition of walking over burning coals has also born in Balochistan by late Nawab Akber Bugti. This tradition is gaining popularity by the people around the Pakistan as it is considered that through this tradition truth and lie can be judged easily.
Provincial assembly of Balochistan consists of total 65 seats among them 16% are reserved for women while 4 % reserved for the non-Muslim.
Districts:
Balochistan is divided into the following main administrative and working districts.
Awaran, Barkhan, Bolan, Chagai, Dera Bugti, Gawadar, Jafarabad, Jhal Magsi, Kalat, Kech, Kharan, Kohlu, Khuzdar, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Safiullah, Lasbela, Lora lai, Mastung, Musa Khel, Naseerabad, Nuashki, Panjgur, Pishin, Quetta, Sibbi, Zhob, Ziarat.
Important cities:
Quetta is the capital city of Balochistan and it is the largest city of Balochistan.
Other main and important cities are:
Barkhan, Chaman, Dera Allah Yar, Dera Murad Jamali, Gawadar, Hub, Kalat, Kharan, Khuzdar, Lora Lai, Mastun, Naushki, Pasni, Sibbi, Turbat, Zhob.
Economy of Balochistan mainly depends on its mineral, coal and gas resources as it is the second largest gas supplier of Pakistan. Gawadar has opened new resources to earn and make money in Balochistan, fishing, to some extent tourism are the other sources of income. Balochistan is not as much developed as other province of Pakistan.
Balochistan has tribal traditions that do not allow women to go along the men in the modern world, regardless all these conservative traditions and customs trends are getting changed gradually and there are equal chances for women and men to play their roles as a constructive citizen. Balocjistan doesn’t stand with the other provinces of Pakistan if we talk about its education, there are only five large public and small number of private universities, they are:
ü Balochistan University of Engineering and Technology
ü Balochistan University of Information Technology and Management Sciences
ü Comman and Staff College
ü Sardar Bahadur Khan Women University
ü Quetta University.
