Quetta city Profile by Directory Pakistan.

Introduction to City:

Quetta is the tenth most populous city in Pakistan with a population of over 1.1 million. It is situated in the south-west of the country, surrounded by mountains. It is the capital of the province of Balochistan where it is the largest city. Quetta is at an average elevation of 1,680 metres (5,510 feet) above sea level, making it Pakistan’s only high-altitude major city. The city is known as the “Fruit Garden of Pakistan” due to the numerous fruit orchards in and around it, and the large variety of fruits and dried fruit products produced there.

Located in northern Balochistan near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and the road across to Kandahar, Quetta is a trade and communication centre between the two countries. The city is near the Bolan Pass route which was once one of the major gateways from Central Asia to South Asia. Quetta played an important role militarily for the Pakistani Armed Forces in the intermittent Afghanistan conflict. It is currently home to 500,000 undocumented Afghan refugees.

Etymology:

The name Quetta is a variation of the Pashto word Kwatkōṭ, or kōta meaning “fortress”.Quetta was formerly known as Shalkot.

History:

The immediate area has long been one of pastures and mountains, with varied plants and animals relative to the dry plains to the west.

From 11th century, the land of Quetta was owned and ruled by the Kasi Pashtun tribe. It was captured by Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi during his invasion of South Asia. In 1543, Mughal emperor Humayun came to Quetta en route to Safavid Persia, leaving his son and future Mughal emperor Akbar here. In 1709, the region was a part of Afghan Hotak dynasty and stayed a part until 1747 when Ahmed Shah Durrani conquered it and made it a part of Durrani Empire. The first European visited Quetta in 1828, describing it as mud-walled fort surrounded by three hundred mud houses.

In 1876 Quetta was occupied by the British and subsequently incorporated into British India.In 1856, British General John Jacob had urged his government to occupy Quetta given its strategic position on the western frontier. British Troops constructed the infrastructure for their establishment.

By the time of the earthquake on 31 May 1935, Quetta had developed into a bustling city with a number of multi-storey buildings and so was known as “Little London”. The epicenter of the earthquake was close to the city and destroyed most of the city’s infrastructure, killing an estimated 40,000 people.

Geography:

Climate

Quetta has a cold semi-arid climate (Köppen BSk) with a significant variation between summer and winter temperatures. Summer starts about late May and goes on until early September with average temperatures ranging from 24–26 °C (75–79 °F). The highest temperature in Quetta is 42 °C (108 °F) which was recorded on 10 July 1998. Autumn starts in mid-September and continues until mid-November with average temperatures in the 12–18 °C (54–64 °F) range. Winter starts in late November and ends in late February, with average temperatures near 4–5 °C (39–41 °F). The lowest temperature in Quetta is −18.3 °C (−0.9 °F) which was recorded on 8 January 1970. Spring starts in early March and ends in mid-May, with average temperatures close to 15 °C (59 °F). Unlike more easterly parts of Pakistan, Quetta does not have a monsoon season of heavy rainfall. Highest rainfall during 24 hours in Quetta is 113 millimetres (4.4 in) which was recorded on 17 December 2000, Highest monthly rainfall of 232.4 millimetres (9.15 in) was recorded in March 1982, also the year of the highest annual rainfall, at 949.8 millimetres (37.39 in). In the winter, snowfall has become quite erratic (December, January and February).

The city saw a severe drought from 1999 to 2001, during which the city did not receive snowfall and below normal rains. In 2002 the city received snow after a gap of five years. In 2004 and 2005, the city received normal rains after three years without snowfall while in 2006, 2007 and 2009 the city received no snow. In 2008 Quetta received a snowfall of 10 centimetres (4 in) in four hours on 29 January followed on 2 February by 25.4 centimetres (10 in) in 10 hours the city’s heaviest snowfall in a decade. During the winter of 2010 it received no snow and saw below normal rains due to the presence of El–Nino over Pakistan

Demographics:

The population of the city is around one million. In 2016, it was estimated at 1,140,000 but the 2017 Census revealed a total of 1,001,205. This makes it the largest city in Balochistan province and one of the major cities of Pakistan. The scholars disagree about the demographics of the city. According to some, the city has a Pashtun plurality followed by Baloch people, other indigenous people of Balochistan, Hazaras and lastly the settlers from other areas of Pakistan.Others think the city has a Pashtun majority followed by Balochs, Hazaras, Brahui, Punjabis and Muhajir people. Urdu being the national language is used and understood by all the residents and serves as a lingua franca.

According to Reuters and the BBC, there are as many as 500,000-600,000 Hazaras living in Quetta and its surrounding areas.

Administration:

At the local level, the city is governed by a municipal corporation consisting of 66 ward members which elects a mayor and a deputy mayor.In addition, Quetta development authority is responsible for provision of municipal services for the city.

Economy of Quetta:

The economy of Balochistan, one of the four provinces of Pakistan, is largely based upon the production of natural gas, coal, and minerals. Agriculture and livestock also dominate the Baloch economy. Horticultural development is a fairly recent, yet growing phenomenon. Other important economic sectors include fisheries, mining, manufacturing industries, trade and other services being rendered by public and private sector organizations in the province.

Outside Quetta, the infrastructure of the province is gradually developing but still lags far behind other parts of the country. 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 southern Arabian Sea coastline are other forms of income and sustenance for the local populations. Due to the tribal lifestyle of many Pashtun, Baloch and Brahui people, animal husbandry is important, as are trading bazaars found throughout the province.

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. 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 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 investments 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).

Transportation:

Quetta is on the western side of Pakistan and is connected to the rest of the country by a network of roads, railways and its international airport close to its center.

At an altitude of 1,605 metres (5,266 feet) above sea level, Quetta International Airport is the second highest airport in Pakistan. Pakistan International Airlines has regular flights to and from the other major cities of Pakistan including Islamabad, Gwadar, Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar.

Quetta Railway Station is one of the highest railway stations in Pakistan at 1,676 metres (5,499 feet) above sea level. The railway track was laid in the 1890s during the British era to link Quetta with rest of the country. The extensive network of Pakistan Railways connects Quetta to Karachi in the south, by a 863 km (536 mi) track, Lahore in the northeast (1,170 km or 727 miles) and Peshawar further northeast (1,587 km or 986 miles). A metalled road runs alongside the railway that connects Quetta to Karachi via the nearby town of Sibi to Jacobabad and Rohri in the plain of the River Indus.

Education:

Quetta serves as the learning centre for the Balochistan province. The city has a number of government and private colleges, including the following:

• Balochistan Agriculture College

• Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences(BUITEMS)

• Bolan Medical College

• Islamia High School: It was frequently visited by Quaid-e-Azamin 1937 and was nicknamed as Chhota Aligarh (Little Aligarh) by him

• Pakistan Command and Staff College

• Sardar Bahadur Khan Women’s University

• St Francis Grammar School

• Joseph’s Convent School, Quetta

• Tameer-e-Nau Public College

• University Law College(ULC)

• University of Balochistan

• National University Of Science And Technology NUST Quetta Campus

• OPF Public School

• Pakistan School of Infantry and Tactics

• Quetta Institute of Medical Sciences

• Science College, Quetta

Sports:

Football is the most popular sport among the people of Quetta. Football clubs from Quetta include: Quetta Zorawar, Muslim FC, Balochistan United W.F.C., Hazara Green Football Club, Baluch Football Club and Quetta Bazigars Club. Balochistan United W.F.C. won the 2014 National Women Championship.

Bugti Stadium is the home of Balochistan cricket team, a first-class cricket team which competes in domestic tournaments, and the Quetta based team Quetta Gladiators compete in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). They were the champion of the PSL 2019.

Boxing is highly popular as well.Muhammad Waseem is a professional boxer from Quetta. In Body Building Nisar Ahmed Khilji has Mr. Balochistan and Mr. Pakistan Titles and Pakistan representation in International Body Building Contests. In hockey, Quetta has produced Zeeshan Ashraf and Shakeel Abbasi, who were members of the Pakistan’s national hockey team.

Facilities:

The Shaheed Nauoroz Stadium is the largest stadium in the city. The city also has Ayub National Stadium, a multipurpose stadium used for football and cricket and Bugti Stadium for cricket.

Local facilities were created in the city for mountain climbing and caving as well as water sports. Hayatullah Khan Durrani (Pride of Performance) is the chief executive of Hayat Durrani Water Sports Academy, Balochistan’s first and only Rowing, Canoeing, Kayaking, Sailing, rough swimming and boating academy where all such facilities provide free to the youth members at Hanna Lake.

Villages:

• Kali, Hajika, 190 km south from Quetta

Quetta Chamber of Commerce & Industry Quetta Balochistan (QCCI).

The Chamber of Commerce & Industry Quetta was established in 1972. There were 42 pioneer Members who took the initiative to start the process. The Chamber is registered with Director Trade Organization GoP under section 3 of Trade Ordinance 1961, with the registration & publishes of Memorandum & Articles of Association. At the moment our registration figure has crossed from eleven thousand & our utmost efforts are to protect rights of Business Community of Balochistan.

Shopping at Quetta:

There are different places and bazaars in Quetta city where anyone can go and do shopping. The main bazaars are in different areas of the city that is Jinnah Road, Abdul Sitar Road, Masjid Road, Liaqat bazaar, Prince Road and different mauls are available in different areas to facilitate citizens.Other than these the CSD and Bolan Shopping centre in the Cant area are canter of attraction for the citizens.Talking of shopping in Quetta, You can’t avoid Mari Abad Area. Mari Abad is the area having Hazaras in Majority. You will amaze to know there are also many shopping centres here too. Suraiya Centre, Dubai Centre is one of its examples. From Kitchen gadgets to cloths, from children garments to winter wears, from cosmetics to utensils you will find a range of products having affordable prices as compare to other bazaars in Quetta. It’s really inspiring to know that shopping centres here offers bridal cloths too. These bridal cloths are classy and unique in all aspects just the way a girl wants to be on her special day. It is notable that new born shopping centres are managing that big range of bridal cloths here in Mari Abad. Taking you more deep in to Mari Abad Shopping centres let’s talk about the foot wares. Footwear from customized ones to branded ones like Bata is available. Very good, long lasting, sophisticated designed shoes are purchasable at good prices. The main thing about Mari Abad Shopping is its clean and secure environment. Quetta Women from all over the Quetta came to Mari Abad shopping centres and have their desired shopping packages. Have a visit there; we are sure you will have some good shopping memories.

• Shopping in Quetta is possible by visiting different markets by visiting Fruit and vegetable market located at main bus stand. Another more convenient market for grocery is at south of Mizan Chowk where variety of fruits and vegetables are available, you can also buy nuts and dried fruits which is the speciality of Quetta. The peaches, grapes, cherries, melon, mangoes are also sold by mobile vendors when in season, along with pomegranates from across the Afghan border.

• If you are looking for carpets and rug the Rug Market in Masjid Road and Zarghoon Road gives you variety of sizzling designs and colours with pleasing prices.

• Book land and shops in the Archer Road has reasonable good stock of English and Urdu language books with different topics and novels. You can also find here the textbooks of all the educational boards.

• Cheltan government Handcrafts Centre, Baluchistan Handcraft & Carpet and Swiss plaza below the airline office are the place where one can find the variety of beautiful handcrafts and get idea of quality and prices. These Handcrafts are made by Balochi women and have a special attraction for tourists.

• There are different Jewel shops with wide variety and prices of gold and silver jewellery in the Sitar road and Liaqat bazaar. The wedding and casual dress shops are also in these areas. Cosmetic shops with different range of prices are providing different materials of different companies. Other then these small shops there are different big shops and centres in different areas of the city like Dawood Shopping centre, Achakzai Shopping Complex Syed Ahmed cloths, roman Centre and city Centre.

• The modern ways of shopping using credit and debit cards and online shopping is also possible in the modern and newly built shops and markets in the Quetta city.

• Shopping in Quetta is amazing. You just need to have pocket full of money and good sense of what you want actually. We bet Quetta Shopping spots won’t disappoint you.

Water Resources Research Centre (WRRC), Quetta:

The WRRC Quetta has been established in Baluchistan to solve the water related problems of the province. The province experiences extreme weather conditions and low and erratic rainfall, therefore its land is mostly barren and deserted. Apart from traditional irrigation practices in canal command areas, Baluchistan does have the significance of possessing the traditional kareze irrigation system. The Centre has been assigned the role to initiate problem oriented research activities, in different disciplines of water sector, with a view to optimize water utilization with maximized efficiency. The WRRC, Quetta has been conducting and planning research activities for artificial recharge of depleting aquifers in Baluchistan through construction of leaky dams, check dams, watershed management; installation of wind mills and high efficiency irrigation systems; and productive use of wasteland and water resources for improving agriculture, horticulture, forestry and rangelands. 

Objectives:

• To study the siltation and sedimentation problems in the delay action dams.

• To conduct studies and develop strategies, for the conjunctive use of water.

• To develop methods and techniques, for the artificial recharge of the aquifers.

• To analyze the water quality status of surface and groundwater.

• To study the water utilization policies with respect to socio-economic aspects of the area.

• To study and identify the development of mini-hydel power systems.

• To conduct lysimetric studies, to establish the water requirements of different crops particularly orchards etc.

• To study and promote local participation in the adoption of cooperative system regarding water use.

Balochistan High Court:

The Balochistan High Court  is the highest judicial institution of Balochistan, Pakistan. The court is formally known as the High Court of Balochistan. It is situated in the provincial capital, Quetta.

Mir Ali Dost Bugti was the first judge of the Balochistan High Court. Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan is the current Chief Justice, having taken charge on 9 August 2021.

Bar Council

The Balochistan Bar Council is a statutory & deliberative assembly of lawyers in Balochistan for safeguarding the rights, interests, and privileges of practicing lawyers within Balochistan province, Pakistan. The Council also regulates the conduct of lawyers and helps in the administration of justice. It has been constituted by Section 3(ii) of the Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils Act, 1973 of the constitution of Pakistan. All lower court and High Court lawyers within Balochistan are licensed with this council. The Balochistan Bar Council consists of a Vice Chairman, & Chairman Executive Committee, both elected by Members of the Balochistan Bar Council each year and these Members are elected by the advocates from four (04) Groups of different constituencies across Balochistan Province. Members serve a term of five years, beginning on January 1, with elections held each November to fill seats of those whose terms will expire in the following January. The Advocate General of Balochistan acts as ex-officio Chairman of the Balochistan Bar Council.

Justices of the Balochistan High Court

The Balochistan High Court is headed by a Chief Justice. The bench consists of Justices and additional judges. The retirement age of the Chief Justice and the Justices is 62 years. The Additional Judges are initially appointed for one year. After that, their services could either be extended or they could be confirmed or they are retired.                                                                                             

Specialities of Quetta:

• Quetta is the capital city of Pakistan’s largest province Balochistan. Constituting 44% of the total land area of Pakistan, Balochistan has tremendous strategic value for Pakistan as it is located close to Afghanistan, Iran and Central Asia.

• Quetta has always retained the central place in Balochistan since it became a contiguous unit in the 15th century when Sardar Mir Chakar Khan Rind united the main Baloch tribes and also ruled over southern Afghanistan and parts of Punjab and Sindh. Subsequently, from Quetta, Balochistan was governed by Safvids, Mughals, and Ghilzais for three centuries.

• Balochistan is an entry point to the southwest of the sub-continent crisscrossed by numerous passes including Bolan Pass used as a gateway by migrants from Central Asia. It links Balochistan with Punjab and upper Sindh.

• Quetta is known as the fruit basket of Pakistan producing plums, peaches, pomegranates, apricots, apples, melons, cherries, pistachios and almonds. Saffron grows very well on mountains around 5000 high and is cultivated on a commercial scale. The yellow and red varieties of tulip grow wild around Quetta.

• Quetta’s brisk commercial activity takes place in Kandahari Bazar, Liaqat Bazar and Suraj Ganj Bazar offering world-famous Balochi mirror work, colourful handicrafts, intricately designed carpets, fur coats, jackets, sandals and other creations of traditional Balochi skills. Quetta is a hub of traditional Balochi cuisine including Sajji, Landhi, Khadda Kebab, and Namkeen Gosht.

• Quetta’s Archaeological Museum has a collection of rare antique guns, swords, coins, and manuscripts. The Geological Museum has a collection of rocks and fossils found in Balochistan.

• Quetta has nice recreation venues such as Askari Park, Liaquat Park, and Chiltan Hill viewpoint on Brewery Road offering a panoramic view of Quetta.

• The national animal of Pakistan — Markhor — has been given protection in the Hazarganji Chiltan National Park, which spreads over 325,000 acres at an altitude ranging between 2000 to 3200 meters. The park also houses birds, reptiles and more than 225 species of plants.

• Another Quetta’s primary tourist attraction is Hanna Lake, located 10 km away from the city.

• Quetta is an excellent base for further exploration of Balochistan.

• This province has hottest places in the country like Sibi and the cool towns like Quetta, Ziarat, Kan Mehtarzai and Kallat where the temperature goes below freezing point and these areas remain under a thick cover of snow in winter.

• Balochistan’s coastline extends over 750 km ranging from Hub near Karachi to the Gwadar Bay on Pakistan-Iran border. The whole area is rich with long golden sunny beaches and a variety of sea fish.

• Gwadar is an important place in Balochistan. Its coastline is about 600 km long and the area is fast developing into an industrial zone. Three mega projects have been developed there, i.e. the Gwadar deep seaport, the coastal highway and the 132 KW electricity line.

Important issues of Quetta City:

• Quetta was previously known as ‘Little London’ for its cleanliness, pleasant weather, and natural beauty. After the arrival of the British, a garrison town was established in Quetta, considered one of the best tourist sites in undivided India.

• Today, the city portrays a picture of dirty streets, overflowed sewerage lines, and garbage dumps at every street corner. Pollution has also ruined the weather for the locals and visitors. Moreover, it has the worst air quality with poisonous gases and dust compared to other cities in Pakistan. Natural hazards and human interference, and negligence have worsened the overall environmental situation in Quetta.

• Quetta is the capital city of Baluchistan, Pakistan. In the present era, almost 140 years after its establishment, Quetta is found to be the home for approximately 3 million people. The city is determined to be accommodating 30 times more people that its original capacity. Baluchistan itself is the largest province of Pakistan because it covers 43% of geographical area of the country.

• In Quetta, urban poverty exceeds 52% of overall household that relates with the blow poverty in Baluchistan. The challenges for the country are acknowledged in terms of limited accesses that are safe for the purpose of drinking water. Certainly, in Quetta, the weak coverage of the disturbing elements is also accountable of contributing towards the development of social challenges.

• Another important concern in Baluchistan has been discovered to be impacted by a variety of natural and human-induced risks. Earthquakes, landslides, floods, sea tides, and drought are all-natural risks (Qadeer, 2014). Human-caused catastrophes, on the other hand, are referred to as civil upheaval, refugees, terrorism, and health epidemics. Furthermore, water transportation accidents are common human-caused disasters.

• Quetta’s security is jeopardized by ethnic tensions, terrorism, extremism, and other factors. These worries are to blame for the rise in both internal and external conflicts.

Conclusion:

Quetta is also spelled Kuwatah which is a variation of Kot, a Pashto word meaning “fortress.” It is believed the city’s name is derived from the four imposing hills (Chiltan, Takatu, Zarghoon and Murdaar) that surround the city and form a natural bulwark. Quetta, is the provincial capital of, the Balochistan province of Pakistan. It is also Known as the Fruit Garden of Balochistan due to the diversity of its plant and animal wildlife, Quetta is situated at an average elevation of 1,680 meters (5,500 ft) above sea level, making it Pakistan’s only high-altitude major city. The population of Quetta was 11,000 in 1891 to a total of between 1,865,137 and 2.8 million according to the 2012 reports which makes it the 6th largest city in Pakistan. There are basically two types of landscapes you get to see in Quetta; mountains-of every colour, shape, and texture- and bazaars. You can literally buy anything you want to in Quetta’s bazaars-clothes, electronics, handicrafts, jewellery, food, shoes-you name it. There is a bazaar for everything.Unlike most places, in Quetta you will find the locals wearing traditional dresses only; kurta shalwar, for men, sometimes with a waistcoat or an embroidered topi, and for women, a long balochi frock with a shalwar, which is often decorated with traditional embroidery.The weather in Quetta is very dry-the humidity is generally twenty percent or less. Quetta has cold winter climate, but is warm in summers. Quetta experiences snowfall almost every winter.Quetta has an exquisite cuisine. The locals like to eat a lot of meat-mostly lamb and mutton-and so Quetta is a meat-lover’s paradise. The kahwa (herbal tea) is a common beverage in Quetta. It has a unique flavour and is usually served sweet.The handmade ice creams you get to eat in Quetta are also incredibly delicious. They have a distinctive milky taste, and they taste way better than company-manufactured ice creams. Also, the traditional kulfis made here-and sold in the backs of cars-are also scrumptious. Sometimes topped with condensed milk and almonds, these kulfis are made from milk and nuts. They are sold only during the summer season, and are a great relief from the heat. Also, unlike the rest of Pakistan, in Quetta you can buy a kulfi from any kulfi seller and it will be delicious, I guarantee you. All kulfi sellers here sell the same quality kulfi.