1. GEOGRAPHY
1.1 Name, Location, Boundary and Area
Under the British rule, in 1890, Zhob was formed as Political Agency. It derives its name from the Zhob River, which flows near Zhob town. The Pushto expression Zhob denotes 'oozing water', a reference perhaps to the spring which constitutes the source of Zhob River. The district, as well as the town, acquired the name Zhob in 1975. Previously it was known as Fort Sandeman, in deference to Sir Robert Sandeman, then Agent to the Governor General in Balochistan, who extended the British rule in the region.
The district lies between 30 ° 30¢ to 32 ° 05¢ north latitudes and 67 ° 26¢ to 70 ° 00¢ east longitudes. It is bounded on the north by Afghanistan and South Wazirestan agency of FATA, on the east by the tribal area adjoining Dera- Ismail -Khan district of NWFP and Musakhel district, on the south and south-west by Loralai and Killa Saifullah districts. Total area of district is 20297 square kilometers.
Under the British rule, in 1890, Zhob was formed as Political Agency. It derives its name from the Zhob River, which flows near Zhob town. The Pushto expression Zhob denotes 'oozing water', a reference perhaps to the spring which constitutes the source of Zhob River. The district, as well as the town, acquired the name Zhob in 1975. Previously it was known as Fort Sandeman, in deference to Sir Robert Sandeman, then Agent to the Governor General in Balochistan, who extended the British rule in the region.
The district lies between 30 ° 30¢ to 32 ° 05¢ north latitudes and 67 ° 26¢ to 70 ° 00¢ east longitudes. It is bounded on the north by Afghanistan and South Wazirestan agency of FATA, on the east by the tribal area adjoining Dera- Ismail -Khan district of NWFP and Musakhel district, on the south and south-west by Loralai and Killa Saifullah districts. Total area of district is 20297 square kilometers.
1.2 PHYSICAL FEAURES/TOPOGRAPHY
Topographically, the district is covered with mountains and hills intersected by the broad valley of Zhob and its tributaries. The Toba- Kakar range covers the western half of the district extending from the boundary of Afghanistan up to the Zhob River. The Suleman range locally called as the Kas-e_Ghar lies on the eastern boundary of the district. The famous Takht-I-Sulaiman or Solomon's. Throne is the highest peak of this range. It is about 3441 meters above sea level and located just outside the boundary. The Sindh Ghar, Tor Ghar and Sur Ghar ranges are also situated in the eastern side of the district. The two mountainous regions are of different character. The great part of the district, beyond the left bank of the Zhob, consists almost entirely beyond the district boundary. The general elevation of the district is 1500 to 3000 meters. On the south of Zhob valley, a succession of parallel ridges running from north-east to south-west divide the drainage of the Zhob from that of the Bori valley in the Loralai district. |
1.3 RIVERS AND STREAMS
The two principal drainage channels of the district are the Zhob and the Kundar Rivers, both flow into the Gomal River. The general direction of the rivers is from Southwest to northeast. The Zhob River rises at Tsari Mehtarazai pass, the watershed a distance of about 400 kilometers. The broad plain of the Zhob River is occupied by the alluvial formation. The Kundar River rises from the central and highest point of the TobaKakar range, a few kilometers northeast of the Sakir. It constitutes boundary between Pakistan and Afghanistan territory for a considerable length.
The other subsidiary rivers or streams are the Baskan, Chukhan, Sri Toi, Sawar, Surab, etc
The two principal drainage channels of the district are the Zhob and the Kundar Rivers, both flow into the Gomal River. The general direction of the rivers is from Southwest to northeast. The Zhob River rises at Tsari Mehtarazai pass, the watershed a distance of about 400 kilometers. The broad plain of the Zhob River is occupied by the alluvial formation. The Kundar River rises from the central and highest point of the TobaKakar range, a few kilometers northeast of the Sakir. It constitutes boundary between Pakistan and Afghanistan territory for a considerable length.
The other subsidiary rivers or streams are the Baskan, Chukhan, Sri Toi, Sawar, Surab, etc
1.4 CLIMATE
The climate of the district is hot and dry in summer and cold in winter. June is the hottest month with mean maximum and minimum temperature of about 37°C and 23°C respectively. January is the coldest month with mean maximum and minimum temperature of about 13°C and -1°C degree respectively. The dust- storms occur in summer from July to September accompanied by thunderstorms. In winters the wind blows from the west and is very cold. The winds from the Southwest and east are also common, the later invariably brings rain. The wind from the north occasionally blows during September to April bring drought and damage standing crops. Rainfall is scanty and varies with the altitude. Most of the rainfall is received during winter seasons. 1.5 FLORA Principal trees and plants found in Zhob district are wild olive (shinay), pistachio, chilgoza or edible pine and wild almond in high lands. Other trees include willow, tamarisk (along the embeds of streams) pastawana (grewia oppostifolio) and spalnai (calotropis gigantea). 1.6 FAUNA Wild animal are wolves, jackal, hyena, fox, deer and porcupine. Leopards and black bear are occasionally found in the high hills in Suleman range. Wild pigs are seen along Zhob River while straight horned markhor, wild sheep are present in moderate numbers in Shinghar Mountains. Among the game bird chakor, partridge and pigeon are numerous in higher altitudes. Sand grouse, quail and bustard are found in plains. Other birds are dove, hoopoe, and starling and vegetal. Jay black bird, wood pigeon, cuckoo and thrush live in high ranges while wild duck and pelican are seen along the Zhob River in winter. Snake and scorpion are common everywhere in Zhob. Fish (Mahsir) are found in every running stream and in Zhob River, some of which weigh up to 8 lbs. 2. AGRICULTURE AND RELATED SECTORS 2.1. Agriculture Most part the area is hilly and barren with every limited water resources for agriculture purposes. However, during recent years tube wells have become quite abundant with the result that agricultural activity has registered a rise and a total of 36170 acre of land is under cultivation in the district. Sowing and harvesting are still largely carried out in traditional manner but the use of agricultural machinery is increasing day by day. However, there is very little scope for a radical increase in the area under cultivation as the area is mostly "Barani". There are two cropping seasons, Kharif and Rabi. Rabi crops are sown between October and mid February and harvested in June. Kharif crops are sown from April to July and harvested by the end of October. 2.2. Irrigation Only 16,206 acres of land is irrigated throughout the district. Majority of the area in the district is irrigated by springs. The following forms of irrigation are found in the district: 1. Perennial Irrigation Schemes - 35 2. Flood Irrigation Schemes - 10 3. Delay Action Dam/Storage Dam - 5 4. Flood Protection Schemes - 6 2.3. Forestry The district has big potential for social and natural forestry and vegetation cover in the district is quite extensive. There are two forest reserves in the district. The total area under forest cover (including social forest) is around 10,010 hectares. Commercial forestry in the district is for the production of pine nut and timber. The pine- nut forests are very profitable. Commercial forestry or cutting of timber for commercial purposes exists in Sherani sub-division. 2.4. Horticulture Grapes are grown in abundance on the foothills of the mountains. Other is almond, apricot and apple. 2.5. Livestock Livestock raising is an important source of livelihood for the rural population and this has a great potential. There are four veterinary hospitals in the district, with 57 veterinary dispensaries. There is also one Artificial Insemination Center (A.I) and one |