Killa Abdullah District

Qilla Abdullah district lies between 30–04' to 31–17' North Longitude in the foothills of the Shela Bagh Mountain range. It is bordered by Pishin District in the east, Quetta District in the South and by Afghanistan in the west. The geographical area of the district is 5,264 km². It is composed of two sub-divisions; Gulistan and Chaman. The general character of the district is mountainous. Its northern area is covered by the Toba Plateau. The hill ranges are fairly uniform in character. They consist of long central ridges with numerous spurs. These spurs vary in elevation from 1,500 to 3,300 metres.

Qilla Abdullah is a small valley bordered by mountains. The valley floor is covered with unconsolidated alluvial sediments that are mostly composed of clay, silt, silty clay and clayey silt. All these sediments were deposited in the valley by the seasonal streams that flow across the valley (generally north to south). The soil is of loamy nature in the Gulistan area, while the soil of Tehsil Chaman is sandy clay—gravel (admixture). The sandy fraction increases towards the mountain ranges. The scarcity of water in the area and the semi-desert climatic conditions have limited trees and shrubs to grow.

The climate of the district Killa Abdullah is generally dry and temperate. The adjoining districts have somewhat deviating temperatures, owing to different elevations. The climatic conditions of the district are particularly suitable for horticulture/ agriculture. The climate is especially suitable for the growth of fruits e.g. apples, apricots, peaches, plums, grapes, cherries and vegetables such as potatoes, onions, tomatoes.

In 1839, this area along with Quetta and Pishin region became a part of British India as a result of the First Anglo Afghan War.[5] However, in 1842, the Afghans reoccupied the entire Pishin Valley, losing it again in 1879.[5] Four years later, Pishin and the surrounding areas were merged with Quetta district.[5] In 1993, it was separated from Pishin for administrative reasons and was given the status of a district.

The district is administratively subdivided into the following tehsils:[6]

• Chaman
• Dobandi
• Gulistan
• Qilla Abdullah

According to the Pakistan District Education Rankings 2017, district Killa Abdullah is ranked at number 111 out of the 141 ranked districts in Pakistan on the education score index. This index considers learning, gender parity and retention in the district.

Literacy rate in 2014–15 of population 10 years and older in the district stands at 27% whereas for females it is only 8%.[7]

Post primary access is a major issue in the district with 87% schools being at primary level. Compare this with high schools which constitute only 6% of government schools in the district. This is also reflected in the enrolment figures for 2016–17 with 19,087 students enrolled in class 1 to 5 and only 234 students enrolled in class 9 and 10.

Gender disparity is another issue in the district. Only 15% schools in the district are girls’ schools. Access to education for girls is a major issue in the district and is also reflected in the low literacy rates for females.

Moreover, the schools in the district lack basic facilities. According to Alif Ailaan district education rankings 2017, the district is ranked at number 121 out of the 155 districts of Pakistan for primary school infrastructure. At the middle school level, it is ranked at number 113 out of the 155 districts. These rankings take into account the basic facilities available in schools including drinking water, working toilet, availability of electricity, existence of a boundary wall and general building condition. 7 out of 10 schools do not have electricity in them. 3 out 5 schools lack a toilet and 2 out of 5 schools do not have a boundary wall. 1 out of 2 schools do not have clean drinking water.

• Khojak Tunnel

• 1998 District census report of Killa Abdullah. Census publication. 121. Islamabad: Population Census Organization, Statistics Division, Government of Pakistan. 2000.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Killa Abdullah District.

• Killa Abdullah District at www.balochistan.gov.pk
• Killa Abdullah District at www.balochistanpolice.gov.pk