Balochistan, Pakistan

Balochistan is a large province in the southwestern part of Pakistan. It is the biggest province in the country by area but has the fewest people. Balochistan touches many places: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to the northeast, Punjab to the east, and Sindh to the southeast. It also shares borders with Iran to the west and Afghanistan to the north, and the Arabian Sea lies to the south.

The land in Balochistan is mostly a rough plateau with many hills and valleys. It has a very dry desert climate, and only a small part of it can be used for farming. Even so, farming and raising animals are important for the economy, making up almost half of the province's work and wealth.

One special feature of Balochistan is the Port of Gwadar, a big deep-sea port on the Arabian Sea. This port is very important for trade and connections with other countries.

Etymology

The name "Balochistan" means "the land of the Baloch people". The exact meaning of the word "Baloch" is not fully known. Long ago, before the Arab conquests in the 7th century CE, the Baloch people lived in Kerman in what is now Iran. Later, they moved eastward into an area called Makran. By the time of the Seljuks in the 11th century, this region became known as Balochistan.

History

Main article: History of Balochistan

Ancient

Map showing the sites and extent of the Indus Valley civilisation in Pakistan, including Mehrgarh.

Balochistan is a large area in Pakistan that sits on the southeastern part of what is called the Iranian plateau. One of the oldest farming places in the world, called Mehrgarh, was here around 7000 BCE. It was one of the first settlements before the Indus Valley civilisation.

During ancient times, the area was part of bigger empires like the Achaemenid Empire. People from different groups lived there, such as the Oreitae and Ichthyophagi, meaning “Fish-eaters.” The Greek writer Alexander the Great passed through a harsh desert area called Gedrosia in this region.

Medieval

In the middle ages, Arab forces came into the area and later, many people from different groups settled there. The Ghaznavids controlled parts of Balochistan, but later it became more independent again. An Italian traveller named Marco Polo wrote about an independent Muslim state in the area during the 13th century.

A historical sketch of Bolan Pass, Balochistan, Pakistan

Baloch migrations

The Baloch people first showed up in history around the year 1000 CE in a place called Kerman. Big groups of Baloch people moved into the area around the 14th century. Stories and poems from the Baloch tell us about leaders who guided these groups.

Pre-modern

In the 15th century, more Baloch people moved into areas like the Punjab Plains. There were big fights between different Baloch tribes during this time. Later, new leaders and groups came to power in different parts of Balochistan.

Quetta Railway Station

Colonial

In 1876, Balochistan became part of British India after an agreement with the leader of Kalat. The British took control of some areas after wars with nearby countries. Two big earthquakes caused a lot of damage in Balochistan during this time.

When British India was divided in 1947, Balochistan decided to join Pakistan. Some leaders agreed to this, but others were not happy. Over time, all the different areas of Balochistan joined Pakistan.

After independence

After Pakistan was created, some areas of Balochistan joined one after another. In 1958, Pakistan bought a place called Gwadar from Oman. Since 2003, some groups in Balochistan have been asking for more control over their area. Most people, however, still want to stay part of Pakistan.

Geography

Astola Island

Balochistan is located in the southwest part of Pakistan and is the largest province by area, covering 347,190 square kilometres (134,050 mi²). It makes up 44% of Pakistan’s total land. Balochistan shares borders with Afghanistan to the north and northwest, Iran to the southwest, and the Pakistani provinces of Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Arabian Sea lies to the south.

The capital city, Quetta, is found in the Sulaiman Mountains in the northeast part of the province. Balochistan has many natural resources and is an important area for trade routes.

The climate in Balochistan changes depending on the area. The high mountains have very cold winters and hot summers, while the plains are milder in winter and very hot in summer, with temperatures sometimes reaching 50 °C (122 °F). Some places can get very windy and harsh.

Government and politics

Main article: Government of Balochistan, Pakistan

Balochistan has a parliamentary form of government, like the other provinces of Pakistan. The ceremonial head of the province is the Governor, who is appointed by the President of Pakistan. The Chief Minister, the province's main leader, is usually the head of the largest political party or group of parties in the provincial assembly.

Balochistan Governor's House, Quetta

The Provincial Assembly of Balochistan has 65 seats, including some reserved for women and non-Muslims. The judicial branch is led by the Balochistan High Court in Quetta.

Besides major national parties like the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Pakistan Muslim League (N), and the Pakistan Peoples Party, local nationalist parties such as the National Party and the Balochistan National Party (Mengal) also play important roles.

Divisions of Balochistan

Administrative divisions

Main article: List of districts in Balochistan, Pakistan

For easier management, Balochistan is split into divisions, each led by an appointed commissioner. As of June 2021, there are eight divisions, including Loralai Division. These divisions are further split into 36 districts.

Demographics

Balochistan has a small number of people spread out over a large, mountainous area with little water. In 2012, the number of people living there grew very fast, more than any other area in Pakistan. By 2023, about 14.9 million people lived in Balochistan.

Languages and ethnicities

Languages of Balochistan (2023)

Balochi (39.9%)
Pashto (34.0%)
Brahui (17.2%)
Sindhi (3.81%)
Saraiki (2.19%)
Punjabi (0.59%)
Urdu (0.53%)
Others (1.50%)

The most common languages spoken in Balochistan are Balochi and Pashto. Balochi is mainly spoken in the west and south, while Pashto is common in the north. Other languages include Brahui, Sindhi, Saraiki, Punjabi, and Urdu.

Religion

See also: Hinduism in Balochistan and Baluchistan Agency § Religion

Most people in Balochistan are Muslims. There are also small groups of Hindus and Christians living in the area. The largest Hindu temple in Pakistan is located in Balochistan.

Historical populations
Census	Population	Urban

1901	810,746^: 5	N/A
1911	834,703^: 5	N/A
1921	799,625^: 5	N/A
1931	868,617^: 5	N/A
1941	857,835^: 5	13.30%^: 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%

Language in Balochistan Province (1911–2023)
Mother Tongue	1911^: 32		1921^: 31		1931^: 85		2017		2023
Mother Tongue	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	75,641	9.06%	80,706	10.09%	69,869	8.04%	500,164	4.05%	429,715	2.95%
Urdu	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%	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a
English	4,349	0.52%	5,053	0.63%	5,369	0.62%	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a
Persian	3,833	0.46%	3,591	0.45%	5,020	0.58%	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a
Pahari	2,258	0.27%	5,401	0.68%	7,901	0.91%	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a
Marathi	846	0.1%	1,124	0.14%	789	0.09%	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a
Gujarati	580	0.07%	494	0.06%	618	0.07%	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a
Rajasthani (Mewati)	324	0.04%	962	0.12%	530	0.06%	—N/a	—N/a	285	0%
Bihari	144	0.02%	490	0.06%	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a
Arabic	78	0.01%	6	0%	9	0%	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a
Tamil	55	0.01%	349	0.04%	150	0.02%	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a
Telugu	20	0%	64	0.01%	42	0%	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a
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%	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a
Shina	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	1,278	0.01%
Kohistani	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	1,014	0.01%
Balti	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	846	0.01%
Kalasha	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	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 in Balochistan (1901–2023)
Religious group	1901^: 5		1911^: 9–13		1921^: 47–52		1931^: 149		1941^: 13–18		1951		1998		2017		2023
Religious group	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%	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	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%	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	181	0%
Judaism	48	0.01%	57	0.01%	19	0.002%	17	0.002%	20	0.002%	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a
Jainism	8	0.001%	10	0.001%	17	0.002%	17	0.002%	7	0.001%	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a
Buddhism	0	0%	16	0.002%	160	0.02%	68	0.01%	43	0.01%	1	0%	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a
Ahmadiyya	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	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	98.31%	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%	1,174,036	100%	6,565,885	100%	12,344,408	100%	14,894,402	100%

Education

In 2017, about 44% of people in Balochistan could read and write. This was better than in 1998, when only about 25% could. The area has several places for higher learning, including universities and medical colleges.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Balochistan, Pakistan

The economy of Balochistan mainly depends on farming, raising animals, fishing, and getting natural gas, coal, and other important minerals. Farming and raising animals are very important, making up 47% of the province's economy. However, big floods in 2022 caused a lot of damage. Many animals were lost, and crops in many areas were destroyed. Because of this and dry weather, Balochistan needs help from other areas to get enough food.

Balochistan has many natural resources that could help improve life for its people, but these resources have not been used as much as they could be. Some big projects are underway, like building a new deep-sea port in Gwadar. This port is important for trade with China, the Middle East, and Central Asia. There are also plans to build a dam to help grow more crops and factories to make things like oil, cement, and marble.

Culture

Main article: Balochi culture

Balochistan has a rich and interesting culture. The people there, known as Baloch, have their own traditions, music, and stories that have been passed down for many years. Their culture is unique and valued by many.

Tourism

Main article: Tourism in Balochistan, Pakistan

Balochistan has many beautiful places to visit. Some popular spots include Astola Island, Bolan Pass, and Hanna Lake. Other interesting locations are Hingol National Park, Quetta, and the Ziarat Juniper Forest. These places offer a mix of nature, history, and adventure for visitors to enjoy.