Balochistan

News: The Balochistan train hijacking on March 11, 2025, has drawn global attention as a deadly escalation in Pakistan’s longest-running insurgency.

About Balochistan

• Balochistan is the largest and most sparsely populated province of Pakistan.
• It lies in the southwestern region of the country.
• It is bordered by Iran to the west, Afghanistan to the northwest, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab to the northeast, Sindh to the southeast, and the Arabian Sea to the south.
• Capital: Quetta
• History and Ethnic Composition: 
  • The region has a rich history dating back to the Stone and Bronze Ages, with civilizations like Mehrgarh (7000 BCE) flourishing in ancient times.
  • Although it was part of Alexander the Great’s empire, the Baloch people themselves migrated to the region around the 14th century CE.
  • Today, the province is home to two major ethnic groups—Baloch and Pashtuns (Pathans)—along with a mixed population of Sindhi origin. The major languages spoken include Balochi, Brahui, Pashto, and Sindhi.
  • Balochistan was officially recognized as a separate province in 1970.
• Geography and Climate
  • Balochistan is characterized by rugged mountain ranges, arid deserts, and coastal plains.
  • The province is divided into four major physical regions:
    • Upper Highlands – Includes the Sulaiman Range in the east and the Toba Kakar Range in the northwest.
    • Lower Highlands – Covers the Makran, Kharan, and Chagai ranges in the west and Pab and Kirthar ranges in the southeast.
    • Plains – Found along the coastal region and extending northward into the mountains.
    • Deserts – The Chagai, Kharan, and Makran deserts, along with the Lora and Mashkel swamps.
  • Balochistan experiences an arid climate, with hot summers and cold winters. Most of the region remains dry due to its limited exposure to the Asian monsoon system.
  • Rivers & Water Bodies:
    • Hingol River: Largest River in Balochistan, draining into the Arabian Sea.
    • Dasht River: Major River in southwestern Balochistan.