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 drydesert climate.[7][8] Despite this, agriculture and livestock make up about 47% of Balochistan's economy.[8]
The name "Balochistan" means "the land of theBaloch people".[9] Largely underdeveloped, itseconomy is also dominated by natural resources, especially itsnatural gas fields. Aside fromQuetta, the second-largest city of the province isTurbat in the south, while another area of major economic importance is the port city ofGwadar on the Arabian Sea, an emerging future business hub.[7][10]
Map showing the sites and extent of the Indus Valley civilisation. Mohenjo-Daro andMehrgarh 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 oldBronze Age in the world.
Balochistan occupies the very south eastern most portion of theIranian plateau, the setting for the earliest known farming settlements in the pre-Indus Valley civilisation era, the earliest of which wasMehrgarh, dated around 7000 BCE,[11] within the province. Balochistan marked the western most extent of civilisation. Centuries before the arrival ofIslam in the seventh century, parts of Balochistan were ruled by theParatarajas, anIndo-Scythian dynasty. At certain times, theKushans also held political sway in parts of Balochistan.[citation needed]
The region came under rule during the reign of KingKay Khosrow of Iran ofKayanian dynasty. TheBaloch, under the command ofAshkash,[15] conquered this land, which Makran was a part of Balochistan.[16]
The remnants of the earliest people in Balochistan were theBrahui people, aDravidian speaking people. The Brahuis retained the Dravidian language throughout the millennias.[17]
Although during theStone andBronze Age andAlexander the Great's empire an indigenous population existed, theBaloch people themselves did not enter the region until the 14th century CE.[18] A theory of the origin of theBaloch people, the largest ethnic group in the region, is that they are ofMedian descent.[19]
Arrival of Islam
In 654, Abdulrehman ibn Samrah, governor of Sistan and the newly emergedRashidun caliphate at the expense of Sassanid Persia and theByzantine Empire, sent an Islamic army to crush a revolt inZaranj, which is now in southern Afghanistan. After conquering Zaranj, a column of the army pushed north, conqueringKabul andGhazni, in theHindu Kush mountain range, while another column moved throughQuetta District in north-western Balochistan and conquered the area up to the ancient cities ofDawar andQandabil (Bolan).[20] 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 ofQaiQan which is nowKalat.
During the caliphate ofAli, a revolt broke out in southern Balochistan's Makran region.[21] In 663, during the reign ofUmayyad CaliphMuawiyah 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.[22]
Pre-modern era
In the 15th century,Mir Chakar Khan Rind became the firstSirdar of Afghan, Iranian and Pakistani Balochistan. He was a close aide of theTimurid rulerHumayun, and was succeeded by theKhanate of Kalat, which owed allegiance to theMughal Empire. Later,Nader Shah won the allegiance of the rulers of eastern Balochistan. He cededKalhora, one of theSindh territories ofSibi-Kachi, to theKhanate of Kalat.[23][24][25]Ahmad Shah Durrani, founder of the Afghan Empire, also won the allegiance of that area's rulers, and many Baloch fought under him during theThird Battle of Panipat. Most of the area would eventually revert to local Baloch control after Afghan rule.
Colonial era
A historical sketch ofBolan Pass, Balochistan, Pakistan
In British-ruled Colonial India, Baluchistan contained aChief Commissioner's province andprincely states (includingKalat,Makran,Las Bela andKharan) that became a part of Pakistan.[32] The province's ShahiJirga (the grand council of tribal elders[33]) and the non-official members of theQuetta Municipality,[34] according to the Pakistani narrative,[35]: 80 agreed to join Pakistan unanimously on 29 June 1947;[34] however, the Shahi Jirga was stripped of its members from the Kalat State prior to the vote.[35]: 81 The then-president of the Baluchistan Muslim League,Qazi Muhammad Isa, informedMuhammad 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."[35]: 81 Following the referendum, on 22 June 1947 the Khan of Kalat received a letter from members of the Shahi Jirga, as well assardars 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".[35]: 82 This has brought into question whether an actual vote took place.[35]: 82 Political scientist Salman Rafi Sheikh, in locating the origins of theinsurgency 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."[35]: 82
Initially aspiring for independence,[34] the Khan of Kalat finally acceded to Pakistan on 27 March 1948 after period of negotiations with Pakistan.[36] The signing of the Instrument of Accession byAhmad Yar Khan led his brother,Prince Abdul Karim, to revolt against his brother's decision due to their family rift.[37] in July 1948.[38] 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.[37] The Prince indulged in Terror activities without any assistance from others.[39] Jinnah and his successors allowed Yar Khan to retain his title until the province's dissolution in 1955.
Insurgencies by Baloch nationalists took place in1948–1950,1958–1960,1962–1969 and1973–1977, with a new ongoing insurgency by autonomy-seeking Baloch groups since 2003.[40][41] While many Balochis support the demand for autonomy, the majority are not interested in seceding from Pakistan.[42]
At a press conference on 8 June 2015 in Quetta, Balochistan's Home MinisterSarfraz Bugti accused India's prime ministerNarendra Modi of openly supporting terrorism. Bugti implicated India'sResearch and Analysis Wing (RAW) of being responsible for recent attacks at military bases in Smangli and Khalid, and for subverting theChina–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) agreement.[43][44][45]
Gwadar, a region of Balochistan, was a colony ofOman for more than a century from 1783 until 1958, when it waspurchased by Pakistan.[46] Many people in this region are therefore Omani.[47]
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 byAfghanistan to the north and north-west, Iran to the south-west,Punjab andSindh, andKhyber Pakhtunkhwa and theFederally Administered Tribal Areas to the north-east. To the south lies theArabian Sea. Balochistan is located on the south-eastern part of the Iranian plateau. It borders the geopolitical regions of theMiddle East and Southwest Asia, Central Asia andSouth Asia. Balochistan lies at the mouth of theStrait 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 theSulaiman 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'sKandahar region. The British and other historic empires have crossed the region to invade Afghanistan by this route.[48]
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 districtsZiarat, 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,[49] exceeding the previous record, 52 °C (126 °F). Other hot areas includeTurbat andDalbandin. The desert climate is characterised by hot and very arid conditions. Occasionally, strong windstorms make these areas very inhospitable.
In common with the other provinces of Pakistan, Balochistan has a parliamentary form of government. The ceremonial head of the province is theGovernor, who is appointed by thePresident of Pakistan on the advice of the provincialChief 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
TheunicameralProvincial 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 theBalochistan High Court, which is based in Quetta and headed by a Chief Justice.
Divisions of BalochistanNote: 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 andRakhshan. 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:[50][51]
As of June 2021, there are eight divisions. The eighth division,Loralai Division was created by bifurcating Zhob Division.[52]
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%.[56][57][58] Official estimates of Balochistan's population grew from approximately 7.45 million in 2003 to 7.8 million in 2005.[59] The2023 Census enumerated a population of 14,894,402.
According to the preliminary results of the2023 census, the languages with the most native speakers in the province areBalochi, spoken by 39.91% of the population (an increase of 4% compared to the 2017 census), andPashto whose share is at 34.34%.[60]
ThePashtuns mainly inhabit the north of Balochistan and form the majority inQuetta. 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 includeSindhi (3.81%),Saraiki (2.19%),Punjabi (0.59%),Urdu (0.53%) and others at (1.5%).
Balochi forms the majority in 21 districts and Pashto forms majority in 9 districts of Balochistan.[61] Brahui has majority in 4 districts. In theLasbela,Hub districts and inKachhi plain region a large minority of the population speaksLasi andSiraiki,[62] which are dialects ofSindhi.[63]
According to the Ethnologue, households speakingBalochi, 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.[64]
The 2005 census concerningAfghans in Pakistan showed that a total of 769,268[65] 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.[66]
According to the 2017 Census, nearly all of the population of Balochistan wereMuslims. There were also Hindu and Christian minorities in the province. TheHindu population in the province was approximately 49,133 (including the Scheduled Castes).[72][73][74] TheShri Hinglaj Mata mandir which is the largest Hindu pilgrimage centre in Pakistan is situated in Balochistan.[75] There was also aChristian minority of 26,462 individuals in the province.[73]
The economy of Balochistan is largely based upon agriculture, livestock, fisheries, production of natural gas, coal and other minerals.[84]
Though agriculture and livestock play a dominant role in the provincial economy by contributing 47% of its GDP, it faced intense damages due to the2022 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. TheLasbela district was the worst hit as the floods washed away fourt-fifth's of the homes, crops and livestock.[85] Due to the floods and severe drought conditions, the province faces food insecurity and is 85% dependent on theSindh andPunjab provinces for the supply of wheat.[86][87]
Furthermore, with the exception ofQuetta, Balochistan has been called a "neglected province where a majority of population lacks amenities".[88][89] 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.[90]
Since the mid-1970s, the province's contribution to Pakistan's GDP has dropped from 4.9 to 3.7%,[91] 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,[92] factors some allege have contributed to the insurgency.[89] However, in seventh NFC awards, Punjab province and Federal contributed to increase Baluchistan share more than its entitled population based share.[93] In Balochistan poverty is increasing. In 2001–2002 poverty incidences were at 48% and by 2005–2006 these were at 50.9%.[94] According to a report on Dawn, the rate of multidimensional poverty in Balochistan had risen to 71% by 2016.[95]
Several major development projects, including the construction of a new deep sea port at the strategically important town ofGwadar,[96] 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. TheMirani Dam on theDasht River, 50 kilometres (31 mi) west of Turbat in theMakran 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.[97] 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.[98] Several cement plants and a marble factory are also located there.[99][100][101] One of the world's largestship breaking yards is located on the coast.[102]
Natural resource extraction
Balochistan's share of Pakistan's national income has historically ranged between 3.7% to 4.9%.[103] Since 1972, Balochistan's gross income has grown in size by 2.7 times.[104] 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.[105]
^Fowle, T. C.; Rai, Diwan Jamiat (1923).Baluchistan. Directorate of Archives, Government of Balochistan. p. 100.The Hindus of Kalat town may indeed be far more indigenous, since they claim descent from the ancient Sewa dynasty that ruled Kalat long before the Brahuis came to Baluchistan.
^Balochistan Through the Ages: Geography and history. Nisa Traders. 1979. p. 316.The country up to and including Multan was conquered by the Arabs and the Hindu dynasty of Sind and probably also the Sewa dynasty of Kalat came to an end.
^Quddus, Syed Abdul (1990).The Tribal Baluchistan.Ferozsons. p. 49.ISBN978-969-0-10047-4.The Sibi division was carved out of the Quetta and Kalat Divisions in April, 1974, and comprises districts of Sibi, Kachhi, Nasirabad, Kohlu and Dera Bugti. The Division derives its name from the town of Sibi or Sewi. The local tradition attributes the origin of this name to Rani Sewi of the Sewa dynasty which ruled this part of the country in ancient times.
^Badalkhan, Sabir (2013).Two Essays on Baloch History and Folklore. Balochistan Monograph Series, V. Naples, Italy: Universita degli studi di Napoli. p. 100.ISBN978-88-6719-060-7.
^Henige, David P. (1970).Colonial Governors from the Fifteenth Century to the Present: A Comprehensive List. University of Wisconsin Press. p. 89.The British began to assume control over the rough desert region in extreme western India known as Baluchistan in the 1870s.
^Peter R. Blood (1996).Pakistan: A Country Study. DIANE Publishing. p. 20.
^Foreign Affairs Pakistan, Volume 32, Issues 11–12. Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 2005. p. 257.
^Afzal, M. Rafique (2001).Pakistan: History and Politics 1947–1971. Oxford University Press. p. 40.ISBN978-0-19-579634-6.Besides the Balochistan Muslim League, three pro-Congress parties were still active in Balochistan's politics: the Anjuman-i Watan, the Jamiatul Ulama u Hind, and the Qalat State National Party.
^Ranjan, Amit (2018).Partition of India: Postcolonial Legacies. Taylor & Francis.ISBN9780429750526.Furthermore, Congress leadership of Balochistan was united and there was no disagreement over its president, Samad Khan Achakzai. On the other hand, Qazi Isa was the president of the League in Balochistan. Surprisingly, he was neither a Balochi nor a Sardar. Consequently, all Sardars except Jaffar Khan Jamali, were against Qazi Isa for contesting this seat.
^"Shahi Jirga Records".Balochistan Archives. Government of Balochistan Directorate of Archives.Archived from the original on 7 March 2014. Retrieved24 September 2021.
^abHussain, Zahid (25 April 2013)."The battle for Balochistan".Dawn.Archived from the original on 22 June 2015.Since Balochistan became part of Pakistan some 65 years ago, Baloch nationalists have led four insurgencies – in 1948, 1958–59, 1962–63 and 1973–1977 – which were brutally suppressed by the state. Now a fifth is under way and this time the insurgents are much stronger. Unlike the past, the educated middle-class youth, rather than tribal leaders, are leading the separatist movement.
^Rashid, Ahmed (22 February 2014)."Balochistan: The untold story of Pakistan's other war". BBC News.Archived from the original on 28 July 2015.The fifth Baloch insurgency against the Pakistan state began in 2003, with small guerrilla attacks by autonomy-seeking Baloch groups who over the years have become increasingly militant and separatist in ideology.
^"Balochistān".Encyclopædia Britannica. 2009.Archived from the original on 25 December 2009.
^Cf.Grierson, George A. (1919).Linguistic Survey of India. Vol. VIII, Part 1,Indo-Aryan family. North-western group. Specimens of Sindhī and Lahndā. Calcutta: Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing, India. p. 158. andScholz, Fred (2002) [1974].Nomadism & colonialism : a hundred years of Baluchistan, 1872–1972. Karachi; Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press. p. 29.ISBN978-0-19-579638-4.
^Jetly, Rajsree. "Resurgence of the Baluch Movement in Pakistan: Emerging Perspectives and Challenges," in Jetly, Rajshree. ed.Pakistan in Regional and Global Politics (New York: Routledge, 2009): 215.
^Baloch, Sanaullah. "The Baloch Conflict: Towards a Lasting Peace,"Pakistan Security Research Unit, No. 7 (March 2007): 5–6.
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.
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