Khuzdar District | |
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District | |
Map of Balochistan with Khuzdar District highlighted |
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Country | Pakistan |
Province | Balochistan |
Established | 1974 |
Headquarters | Kalat Division |
Government | |
• Commissioner | Mohammad Hashim Ghalzai |
Time zone | PST (UTC+5) |
Number of Tehsils | 4 |
Khuzdar (Urdu and Balochi: خضدار ) district is located in the centre of Balochistan province of Pakistan. Khuzdar is the capital of Khuzdar district. The area was originally part of Kalat District until Khuzdar was established on 1 March 1974.
Towns and cities in Balochistan are not as big as compared to other provinces generally due to scarcity of water and abundance of arid and wastelands. Khuzdar, though one of the important cities of Balochistan is a small sized city located in Khuzdar District in Balochistan, Pakistan. The city of Khuzdar is situated on National Highway linking Pakistan, Iran and Turkey. It is at a distance of about 400 km from Karachi and 300 km from Quetta, both of them being main cities of the country.
During the Arab rule this region formed the province of Turan and Khuzdar was the capital. It was an important cantonment and was the headquarters of the Arab General Commanding the Indian frontier. Later Khuzdar became a part of the Kalat State. It was the scene of a battle between the people of Jhalawan and the Khan of Kalat in 1869. The Khan of Kalat Mir Khuda Khan was victorious and built here a fort of painted pottery. Close to the town are the ruins of an old fort built by the Arabs. Khuzdar is the capital of Khuzdar district. It is a district and divisional headquarters town in Balochistan. Previously party of the Kalat district, Khuzdar was upgraded as a separate district on 1 March 1974. The district is subdivided into three tehsils: Khuzdar, Naal and Wadh. It is at the apex of a narrow valley at an elevation of 1,237 m (4.000 feet). Over 99% of the people of the area are Muslims. The population of Khuzdar district is estimated to be over 525,000 in 2005. The major tribes in the district are Bizenjo, Mardoi Jattak, Hasni, Nausherwani, Zehri, Mengal, Zarakzai, Ahmadzai' Rekizai ' Sasoli ' Kurd' . A large military complex is near completion near Khuzdar, which would make it the second largest Cantonment in Balochistan after Quetta. A university is established at the outskirts of Khuzdar, known as the heart of Balochistan. The city of Khuzdar is situated on National Highway linking Pakistan, Iran and Turkey. It is at a distance of about 400 km from Karachi and 300 km from Quetta, both of them being main cities of the country. The city is facilitated with an airport, near the university. The former college, now university is constructed on the foot-hills and is spread over an area of 200 acres (0.81 km2).