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Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Balochistan Natural Resources

Natural Resources



Mineral Resources in Balochistan
Balochistan possesses great unexplored potential of metallic and non-metallic minerals. Presently, the minerals being exploited are:


  • Coal
  • Chromite
  • Barytes
  • Sulphur
  • Marble
  • Iron Ore
  • Quartzite
  • Limestone
  • Sulphor
  • Natural Resources

    Coal
    Balochistan coal can cater to the existing and future energy requirement of our country to a great extent. More than 90% of coal is dispatched to other provinces for use in brick kilns. Its reserves are found in

    Chromite

    Sizable deposits of this mineral are found at Muslimbagh, district Killa Saifullah. Lasbela, Khuzdar, Kharan and Chaghi districts have chromite reserves. Private sector has been engaged in mining this mineral.

    Barytes

    The biggest deposit of barytes is located near Khuzdar with a total reserve of over 2.00 million tones. Scientific mining as well as grinding of this mineral started in 1976. Almost the entire production of barites is consumed locally by OGDC and other oil drilling companies.

    Sulphur

    Sulphur deposits are available at Koh-e-Sultan in District Chaghi. Three main deposits are clustered around the Southern half of the extinct volcano, Koh-e-Sultan. The deposits are of fumaroles origin and native Sulphur is found in cracks and as impregnation in volcanic tuffs. The Chief use of Sulphur is the manufacturing of Sulphuric acid etc.

    Marble
    Large commercially exploitable deposits are found throughout district Chaghi, starting from Dalbandin and extending to the borders of Iran. Some deposits are located close to Pak-Afghan border areas namely Zardkan, Siah-Chang, Jhulli, Patkok, Maskichah, Zeh, Chilgazi and Buttak.

    Onyx, a dark green marble, found in Chaghi is of superior quality. Onyx of good quality is found in Bolan, Lasbela and Khuzdar districts.

    Iron Ore

    Chaghi, a mineral rich area, possesses nearly 30 million tonnes of iron ore. Geological Survey of Pakistan, in a report, states that there are 1 to 7 meters( averaging about 2 meters) thick hematitic sedimentary ironstone bed of Jurassic age(150 million years old) at the contact of Chiltan Limestone, and Sember formation of Cretaceous age (150-65 million years old) near Johan in Dilband area of Mastung district. The reserves have been tentatively estimated at over 200 million tonnes.

    Quartzite
    This is a relatively newly discovered mineral. Its deposits are found in Lasbela district.

    Limestone

    Limestone exists in abundance in different parts of Balochistan. Several hundred meters thick layers of limestone, at places dolomitic, occur in Chiltan Formation of Jurassic age in Quetta and Kalat. Limestone of Cretaceous age, 300 to 50 meters thick, is widely found in Balochistan. Harnai, Sor Range, and Spintangi areas have reserves of limestone.

    Sulphor

    Sulphor deposits are available at Koh-i-Sultan in Chaghi district. Three main depoit are clustered around the southern half o the extinct volcano, Koh-i-Sultan. The deposits are of fumaralic origin and native sulphor is found in vugs, cracks, and as impregnation in volcanic tuffs. The chief use of sulphor is I the manufacturing of sulphuric acid and explosives.

    Balochistan Culture and Heritage

    Culture and Heritage Print E-mail

    People
    PEOPLE
    A number of tribes constitute to make people of Balochistan. Three major tribes are Baloch, Pashtoon and Brahvi. The Balochi speaking tribes include Rind, Lashar, Marri, Jamot, Ahmedzai, Bugti Domki, Magsi, Khosa, Rakhashani, Dashti, Umrani, Nosherwani, Gichki, Buledi, Sanjarani and Khidai. Each tribe is further sub-divided into various branches. The tribal chief is called Sardar while head of sub-tribe is known as Malik, Takari or Mir. Sardars and Maliks are members of district and other local Jirgas according to their status. The Baloch, believed to have originally come from Arabia or Asia minor, can be divided in to two branches: the Sulemani and Mekrani as distinct from the Brahvis who mostly concentrate in central Balochistan. Among the eighteen major Baloch tribes, Bugtis and Marris are the principal ones who are settled in the buttresses of the Sulemania. The Talpur of Sind aIso claim their Baloch origin.

    Brahvi speaking tribe include Raisani, Shahwani, Sumulani, Bangulzai, Mohammad Shahi, Lehri, Bezenjo, Mohammad Hasni, Zarakzai (Zehri) , Mengal and Lango, most of these tribes are bi-lingual and are quite fluent both in the Balochi and Brahvi Languages. The Pashtoon tribes include Kakar, Ghilzai Tareen, Mandokhel , Sherani, Luni, Kasi and Achakzai.

    Language
    LANGUAGES
    Balochistan, despite its scarce population, has an uncommon racial and tribal diversity. Most of the people in the cities and towns understand and speak more than two languages. In adddition to Balochi, Pashtoo and Brahvi, the majority of the population understand and speak Urdu, the national language. In Kachhi and Sibi districts, people speak Seraiki and Sindhi. Quetta city, the confluence point of all linguistic groups accommodates not only Urdu, Balochi, Pashtoo, Brahvi and Sindhi speaking people but Punjabi, Darri and Persian speaking ones as well. Dehwar tribe of Sarawan sub-division in Kalat, also speaks a language derived from Persian.

    Culture
    CULTURE
    Cultural landscape of Balochistan portrays various ethnic groups. Though people speak different languages, there is a similarity in their literature, beliefs, moral order and customs. The cementing factor is religion which provides a base for unity and common social order.

    Brahvi, Balochi and Pashtoon tribes are known for their hospitality. Guest is accorded is held in high esteem and considered a blessing from God. Better off people even slaughter sheep or goat for their guest. Sometimes, it so happens that where there are more houses, the guest is assumed to be the guest of the whole village. This open heartedness is the loving feature of the tribal people and is not as deep in the city or town dwellers.


    Another adorable feature of Balochistan culture is faithfulness and sincerity in all relationships. There is no place or respect for unfaithful people in prevalent moral order. If fidelity is reciprocated with disloyalty or betrayal it is never forgotten.

    Marriage
    MARRIAGES
    Marriages are solemnized in presence of Mullah (a religious teacher) and witnesses. Life partners are commonly selected within the family (constituting all close relatives) or tribe. Except a negligible fraction of love marriages, all marriages are arranged. Divorce rate is very low.

    A lot of marriage rituals are celebrated in different tribes. In some tribes, the takings of “Valver”, a sum of money paid by the groom to his to be wife’s family, also exist. But this custom is now gradually dying out since it has given rise to many social problems. The birth of a male child is taken as a source of p ride since he is though t to be the defender of this family and tribe.

    Dress
    DRESS
    The mode of dress among the Balochi, Pashtoon and Brahvi tribes is very similar having a few minor dissimilarities. Turban is the common headwear of the men. Wide loose shalwar (a bit similar to loose trouser) and knee-long shirts are worn by all. The dress of the woman consists of the typical shirt having a big pocket in front. The shirt normally has embroidery work with embedded small round mirror pieces. Big ‘Dopatta’ or ‘Chaddar’, a long rectangular piece of cloth cascading down the shoulders and used to cover head, are used by the women.

    Festival
    FESTIVALS
    There are religious and social festivals celebrated by the people of Balochistan. Two major religious festivals are Eid-ul-Azha and Eid-ul-Fiter. On these festivals people adorn their houses, wear new dresses, cook special dishes and visit each other. Eid-Meladun-Nabi is another religious festival. It is a celebration of the Holy Prophet’s birthday. Numerous colorful social festivals are also source of jubilation. Sibi festival that traces its roots to Mehergar, an archeological site of ancient human civilization, attracts people from across the country. It is attended by common folks, ministers and other government officials. Folk music performance, cultural dances, handicrafts stalls, cattle shows and a number of other amusing activities present a perfect riot of color. Buzkashi is a peculiar festival showing valour of Balochistan people. It is celebrated on horse-back by two teams that use their skills to snatch a goat from the each other.


    Courtesy by Doctor Ruqaiya Saeed Hashmi Minister of Inter Provincial Coordination

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    Sunday, January 2, 2011

    Balochistan




    Balochistan



    Flag
    Location of Balochistan
    Coordinates: 30°07′N 67°01′E / 30.12°N 67.01°E / 30.12; 67.01Coordinates:
    30°07′N 67°01′E / 30.12°N 67.01°E / 30.12; 67.01
    Country Pakistan
    Established 1 July 1970
    Provincial Capital Quetta
    Largest city Quetta
    Government
    - Type Province
    - Body Provincial Assembly
    - Governor Zulfikar Ali Magsi
    - Chief Minister Aslam Raisani (PPP)
    Area
    - Total 347,190 km2 (134,050.8 sq mi)
    Population (2005)[1]
    - Total 7,800,000
    - Density 22.5/km2 (58.2/sq mi)
    Time zone PKT (UTC+5)
    Main Language(s)
    Provincial Assembly seats 65
    Districts 30
    Towns
    Union Councils 86
    Website balochistan.gov.pk

    Balochistan (Urdu: بلوچستان) is the largest province (by area) of Pakistan, constituting approximately 44% of the total land mass of Pakistan. According to the 1998 census, Balochistan had a population of roughly 6.6 million.[2]

    Its neighbouring regions are Iran to the west, Afghanistan and the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province to the north, Punjab and Sindh provinces to the east. To the south lies the Arabian Sea. The main languages in the province are Balochi, Brahui, Pashto and Urdu.[3] The provincial capital is Quetta and Gwadar is the developing port city. The Baloch and Pashtun people constitute the two major ethnic groups; a mixed ethnic stock, mainly of Sindhi origin, forms the third major group (Sindhi Baloch).[3] Balochistan is rich in mineral resources; it is the second major supplier of natural gas in Pakistan.


    Balochistan is located at the south-eastern edge of the Iranian plateau. It strategically bridges the Middle East and Southwest Asia to Central Asia and South Asia, and forms the closest oceanic frontage for the land-locked countries of Central Asia.

    In terms of geographical size, Balochistan is the largest of the five provinces of Pakistan at 347,190 km² (134,051 mi²), which composes approximately 44% of the total land area of Pakistan. The population density is very low due to the mountainous terrain and scarcity of water. The southern region is known as Makran. The central region is known as Kalat.

    The Sulaiman Mountains dominate the northeast corner and the Bolan Pass is a natural route into Afghanistan towards Kandahar, used as a passageway during the British campaigns to Afghanistan.[4] Much of the province south of the Quetta region is sparse desert terrain with pockets of towns mostly near rivers and streams.

    The capital, Quetta, is located in the most densely populated district in the northeast of the province. It is situated in a river valley near the border with Afghanistan, with a road to Kandahar in the northwest.

    Very cold winters and hot summers characterise the climate of the upper highlands. Winters of the lower highlands vary from extremely cold in Ziarat, Quetta, Kalat, Muslim Baagh and Khanozai the northern districts to mild conditions closer to the Makran coast. Summers are hot and dry, especially the arid zones of Chaghai and Kharan districts. The plain areas are also very hot in summer with temperatures rising as high as 50 °C (122 °F).The highest record breaking temperature of 53 °C (127 °F) has been recorded in Sibi on 26 May 2010.[5] Previously 52 °C (126 °F) has been recorded in sibi. Other hot areas includes, Turbat, and Dalbandin. Winters are mild on the plains with the temperature never falling below the freezing point. The desert climate is characterised by hot and very arid conditions. Occasionally strong windstorms make these areas very inhospitable.

    [edit] Demographics

    As of the 1998 census, Balochistan had a population of 6.6 million inhabitants, representing approximately 5% of the Pakistani population.[2] Official estimates of Balochistan's population grew from approximately 7.45 million in 2003[3] to 7.8 million in 2005.[1] According to the 2008 Pakistan Statistical Year Book, households whose primary language is Balochi represent 54.8% of Balochistan's population while 29.6% of households speak Pashto, making Balochi and Pashtu the two dominant languages in the region. Other languages include Brahui, Sindhi, Punjabi, and Saraiki.[6] Balochi-speaking people are concentrated in the sparsely populated west, east, south and southeast; Brahui speakers dominate in the centre of the province, while the Pashtuns are the majority in the north. The Kalat and Mastung areas speak Brahui. Quetta, the capital of the province, is largely populated with Pashtuns, with a significant Baloch presence. In the Lasbela District, the majority of the population speaks Sindhi, Balochi, or Lasi. Sindhi is also widely spoken in the Nasirabad District and the cities of Sibi and Dera Murad Jamali.[citation needed] A large number of Afghan refugees moved to Quetta after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. Near the Kalat region and other parts of the province there are significant numbers of Baloch Brahui speakers. Along the coast various Makrani Balochi speakers predominate. A large number of Afghan refugees can also be found in the province, including Pashtuns, Hazaras and Tajiks. Many Sindhi farmers have moved to the more arable lands in the east.[citation needed]

    Historical populations
    Census Population Urban

    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%

    [edit] Society and culture

    Balochistani culture is primarily tribal, deeply patriarchal and conservative. Baloch society is dominated by tribal chieftains called Mirs, Sardars and Nawabs, who are the ruling elite of Balochistan and have been criticized for blocking the educational development and empowerment of the Baloch people[citation needed][weasel words] lest the status quo be challenged.

    Honor killings are commonplace[7] but still discouraged by the majority of the population[citation needed]. In one recent incident in August 2008, the Asian Human Rights Commission reported that five women (including three teenagers) in a remote village had been beaten, shot and buried alive in a ditch for the crime of seeking to choose their own husbands. One of the tribesmen involved was the younger brother of a provincial minister from the ruling Pakistan People's Party, and local police therefore refused to take any action.[8]

    After human rights activists brought the case to national and international attention, Israr Ullah Zehri, who represents Balochistan in the Pakistani Parliament, defended the killings and asked his fellow legislators not to make a fuss about the incident. He told Parliament, "These are centuries-old traditions, and I will continue to defend them. Only those who indulge in immoral acts should be afraid." But many Baloch literate are against the horrific crimes which took place in Balochistan. According to majority of Baloch, the person or tribe head should be brought to the court and must be punished. Many Baloch or Balochis have denied the fact that Karo Kari is part of Balochi culture. They claim it was a nomadic cultural practice which was stopped many years ago, but because of poor administration by the Pakistani government and to demilitarize the Baloch, such acts are now taking place.[9]

    [edit] History

    Balochistan was the site of the earliest known farming settlements in the Indus Valley Civilization, the earliest of which was Mehrgarh dated at 6500 BCE. Balochistan in Pashto is known as 'Godar which was hellenized in to Gedrosia due to the fact that the Greeks derived the names of these Iranian lands from the Bactrian language. The Balochi people referred to their own land as Moka or Maka, a word which later became Makran. The word Balochistan is derived from the Persian language and was originally termed to mean "ignorant". However, with the spread of the Persian language, the name Balochistan seems to have stuck. Balochistan it seems was always sparsely populated by various tribes of Iranic]] origin for centuries following the decline of the nearby Harappa-Mohenjo-daro civilization to the east. The spread of the Balochi language led to the eventual decline in the numbers of Brahui the original Arachosian tribes of the region.

    The Baloch began to arrive from their original homeland in north-west Zagros Mountains, in Syria, Anatolia and Iran, claiming to be an offshoot of the MedesKurds who would mainly populate the western end of the Iranian plateau. Under influence of Islam, many Baloch—like the neighbors the Pashtuns, believed that their origins were Semitic and not Indo-European Iranic, This stands contrary to linguistic and historical evidence. The Baloch claim that they left their original homeland in far norhtwestern Zagros Mountains around Aleppo, Syria at some point in the 1st millennium CE and moved to Balochistan.[10] It is considered that they are an Iranic group which has absorbed some Semitic, genes and cultural traits. The great Persian epic of Shahnama does record the Baloch in the Qazvin-Zanjan region of Persia in the 6th century AD, when they were engaged in battle by the Persian king Chosroes I Anoshervan, apparently at the exact time when the Baloch were making their long distance trekking from their old homeland in northwestern Iranian Plateau to the current one, in southeastern parts of the same that is known today as Balochistan. The immigrating Baloch tribes eventually absorbed all the local people in Makran, southern Sistan and the Barahui country, becaming a sizeable group to rival in size the other Iranic group in the region,the Pashtuns. and the

    It is fascinating to note that the large district and tribe of Belijan/Beluchan still exist in northwest Zagros, stetching from just east of Sivas, south toward Aleppo. The current inhabitants and the tribe identify themselves as Kurds--the cultural and linguistic cousins of the modern Baloch.

    In the 7th century, the region was divided into two parts: the south was made part of the Kermān Province of the Persian Empire and the north became part of the Persian province, Sistan. In early 644, the Islamic Caliph, Umar, sent Suhail ibn Adi from Busra to conquer the Kerman region of Iran. He was then made governor of that region. From Kerman, he conquered the western Balochistan region, near the Persian frontiers.[11] South-western Balochistan was conquered during the campaign in Sistan the same year.

    During the reign of Caliph Uthman in 652, Balochistan was re-conquered during the counter-revolt in Kerman, under the command of Majasha Ibn Masood. This was first time western Balochistan became directly controlled by the Caliphate[12] In those days western Balochistan was included in the dominion of Kerman. In 654, Abdulrehman ibn Samrah, governor of Sistan, 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 North-western Balochistan and conquered the area up to the ancient city of Dawar and Qandabil (Bolan).[13] By 654, the whole of what is now the Balochistan province of Pakistan was controlled by the Rashidun Caliphate, except for the well-defended mountain town of QaiQan which is now Kalat. However, this town was later conquered during the reign of Caliph Ali.[14] and paid taxes on agriculture. Abdulrehman ibn Samrah made Zaranj his provincial capital and remained governor of these conquered areas from 654 to 656, until Uthman was murdered.

    During the Caliphate of Ali, a region of Balochistan, Makran, again revolted. Due to civil war in the Islamic empire, Ali was unable to deal with these areas until 660, when he sent a large force, under the command of Haris ibn Marah Abdi, towards Makran and Sind. Haris ibn Marah Abdi arrived in Makran and conquered it by force, and then moved northward to north-eastern Balochistan and re-conquered Qandabil (Bolan). Finally, he moved south and conquered Kalat after a fierce battle.[15] In 663, during the reign of Umayyad CaliphMuawiyah I, Muslims lost control of North-eastern Balochistan and Kalat when Haris ibn Marah and large part of his army died in battle against a revolt in Kalat.[16] Muslim forces latter regained control of the area during Umayyad reign. It also remained a part of the Abbasid Caliphate.

    A Baloch shepherd, from a 1900 photo

    In the 15th century, Mir Chakar Khan Rind became the first king of Balochistan. Subsequently, Balochistan was dominated by the Timurids who controlled all of Persia and Afghanistan. The Mughal Empire also controlled some parts of the area. When Nadir Shah won the allegiance of the rulers of Balochistan, he ceded Kalhora, one of the Sindh territories of Sibi-Kachi to the Khan of Kalat.[17][18][19]Ahmad Shah Durrani, also won the allegiance of that area's rulers. Most of the area would eventually revert to local Baloch control, however, parts of the northern regions would continue to be dominated by Pashtun tribes. The successor of Nadir Shah and founder of the Afghan Empire,

    During the period of the British Raj, there were four Princely States in Balochistan: Makran, Kharan, Las Bela and Kalat. In 1876, Sir Robert SandemanKharan, Makran, and Las Bela) under British suzerainty. After the Second Afghan War was ended by the Treaty of Gandamak in May 1879, the Afghan Emir ceded the districts of Quetta, Pishin, Sibi, Harnai, and Thal Chotiali to the British. In 1883, the British took control of the Bolan Pass, southeast of Quetta, from the Khan of Kalat. In 1887, some of the areas of Balochistan were declared British territory. 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 the British. made a treaty with the Khan of Kalat and brought his territories (including

    There were two devastating earthquakes in Balochistan during the British colonial rule: The 1935 Balochistan Earthquake, which devastated Quetta, and the 1945 Balochistan Earthquake, which, with its epicentre in the Makran region, was felt in other regions of South Asia.

    After independence from the British, Balochistan, like much of Pakistan, has experienced development. However, due to its sparse population, it has developed at a much slower rate than other parts of Pakistan. This has led to the conflict in Balochistan.

    [edit] Government

    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 executive of the province is the Chief Minister who is normally the leader of the largest party or alliance in the provincial assembly. The unicameral Provincial Assembly of Balochistan comprises 65 seats of which 4% are reserved for non-Muslims and 16% for women only. The judicial branch of government is carried out by the Balochistan High Court, based in Quetta, and headed by a Chief Justice. For administrative purposes, the province is subdivided into 30 districts:[20]

    1. Awaran
    2. Barkhan
    3. Bolan
    4. Chagai
    5. Dera Bugti
    6. Gwadar
    7. Harnai
    8. Jafarabad
    9. Jhal Magsi
    10. Kalat
    11. Kech
    12. Kharan
    13. Khuzdar
    14. Kohlu
    15. Killa Abdullah
    1. Killa Saifullah
    2. Lasbela
    3. Loralai
    4. Mastung
    5. Musakhel
    6. Nasirabad
    7. Nushki
    8. Panjgur
    9. Pishin
    10. Quetta
    11. Sherani
    12. Sibi
    13. Washuk
    14. Zhob
    15. Ziarat

    [edit] Economy

    Balochistan's share of the national economy has historically ranged between 3.7% to 4.9%.[21] Since 1972, Balochistan's economy has grown in size by 2.7 times.[22]Quetta, the infrastructure of the province is gradually developing but still lags far behind other parts of Pakistan. Tourism remains limited but has increased due to the exotic appeal of the province. Limited farming in the east as well as fishing along the Arabian Sea coastline are other forms of income and sustenance for the local populations. Due to the tribal lifestyle of many Baloch and Brahui, animal husbandry is important, as are trading bazaars found throughout the province. The economy of the province is largely based upon the production of natural gas, coal and minerals. Outside

    Though the province remains largely underdeveloped, there are currently several major development projects in progress in Balochistan, including the construction of a new deep sea port at the strategically important town of Gwadar.[23] The port is projected to be the hub of an energy and trade corridor to and from China and the Central Asian republics.

    Further west is the Mirani Dam[24] multipurpose project, on the Dasht River, 50 kilometres (31 mi) west of Turbat in the Makran Division. It will provide dependable irrigation supplies for the development of agriculture and add more than 35,000 km² of arable land. There is also Chinese involvement in the nearby Saindak gold and copper mining project.

    One of the world's largest copper deposits (and its matrix-associated residual gold) have been found at Reko Diq in the Chagai District of Balochistan. Reko Diq is a giant mining project in Chaghi. The main license (EL5) is held jointly by the Government of Balochistan (25%), Antofagasta Minerals (37.5%) and Barrick Gold (37.5%). The deposits at Reko Diq are hoped to be even bigger than those of Sarcheshmeh in Iran and Escondida in Chile (presently, the second and the third largest proven deposits of copper in the world).[citation needed]

    BHP Billiton, the world's largest copper mining company, began the project in cooperation with the Australian firm Tethyan, entering into a joint venture with the Balochistan government. The potential annual copper production has been estimated to be 900,000 to 2.2 million tons.[citation needed] The deposits seem to be largely of porphyry rock nature.[citation needed]

    [edit] Education

    Balochistan has the lowest Human Development Index of all the provinces of Pakistan at 0.556.[25] Balochistan's rural areas have one of the lowest literacy rates in Pakistan; around 90% of rural females in Balochistan are illiterate. Almost all the districts of Balochistan have a literacy rate below 50%. The districts with the lowest literacy rate are Musa Khel (14%), Nasirabad (15%), Kohlu (17%), Jhal Magsi (17%), Kharan (19%), Awaran (20%), Bolan (21%), Killa Saifullah (24%) and Jaffarabad (25%).[26]

    However, Balochistan's overall literacy has improved significantly over the past 30 years, as shown in the table below.

    Year Literacy rate[26][27]
    1972 10.1%
    1981 10.3%
    1998 26.6%
    2008 48.8%
    Qualification[28] Urban Rural Total Enrolment ratio (%)
    1,568,780 4,997,105 6,565,885
    Below Primary 237,827 1,149,334 1,387,161 10.00
    Primary 361,760 1,427,173 1,788,933 15.87
    Middle 325,051 971,437 1,296,488 17.62
    Matriculation 318,932 846,509 1,165,441 31.88
    Intermediate 132,248 232,865 365,113 14.13
    BA, BSc... degrees 9,726 16,490 26,216 8.57
    MA, MSc... degrees 99,303 133,422 232,725 8.17
    Diploma, Certificate... 56,319 61,464 117,783 4.62
    Other qualifications 27,614 158,411 186,025 2.83

    Balochistan's notable institutions of higher learning include: Balochistan University of Engineering and Technology (Khuzdar), Balochistan University of Information Technology Engineering and Management Sciences (Quetta), Bolan Medical College (Quetta), Iqra University (Quetta), Sardar Bahadur Khan Women University (Quetta), Tameer-e-Nau Public College, Quetta, and University of Balochistan (Quetta).

    [edit] See also

    [edit] References

    1. ^ a b Pakistan Balochistan Economic Report: From Periphery to Core (In Two Volumes) - Volume II: Full Report. The World Bank. May 2008. "The Balochistan population totalled 4.5 million in 1981/82 and 7.8 million in 2004/05..." "NIPS estimates that Balochistan’s population growth will slow down to 1.3 percent by 2025..."
    2. ^ a b "Population, Area and Density by Region/Province" (PDF). Federal Bureau of Statistics, Government of Pakistan. 1998. http://www.statpak.gov.pk/depts/fbs/publications/yearbook2008/Population/16-5.pdf. Retrieved 2009-07-20.
    3. ^ a b c "Balochistān". Encyclopædia Britannica. 2009. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/50834/Balochistan. Retrieved December 15, 2009.
    4. ^ Bolan Pass - Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition
    5. ^ http://www.pakmet.com.pk/latest%20news/Latest%20News.html
    6. ^ "Percentage Distribution of Households by Language Usually Spoken and Region/Province, 1998 Census". Pakistan Statistical Year Book 2008. Federal Bureau of Statistics - Government of Pakistan. http://www.statpak.gov.pk/depts/fbs/publications/yearbook2008/Population/16-20.pdf. Retrieved 19 December 2009.
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