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.
