Zhob

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title: "Zhob" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["tehsils-of-zhob-district"] topic_path: "general/tehsils-of-zhob-district" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhob" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]

FieldValue
nameZhob
other_nameApozai
native_nameژوب
native_name_langps
settlement_typeCity
image_skylineFile:Zhob from mountain.jpg
imagesize240px
image_captionA view of the city
mapsize150 px
pushpin_mapBalochistan Pakistan#Pakistan
coordinates
subdivision_typeCountry
subdivision_name
subdivision_type1Province
subdivision_name1Balochistan (Pakistan) Balochistan
subdivision_type2District
subdivision_name2Zhob
area_metro_km220297
elevation_m1426
population_total46,976
total_typeCity
population_as_of2023
population_density_km2auto
population_demonymZhobi
timezone1PST
utc_offset1+5
postal_code_typePostal code
postal_code85200
area_code822
area_code_typeCalling code
blank_nameHighways
blank_info
::

| name = Zhob | official_name = | other_name = Apozai | native_name = ژوب | native_name_lang = ps | settlement_type = City | image_skyline = File:Zhob from mountain.jpg | imagesize = 240px | image_alt = | image_caption = A view of the city | image_map = | mapsize = 150 px | map_alt = | map_caption = | pushpin_map = Balochistan Pakistan#Pakistan | pushpin_relief = | pushpin_label_position = | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_mapsize = | pushpin_map_caption = | coordinates = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = | subdivision_type1 = Province | subdivision_name1 = Balochistan (Pakistan) Balochistan | subdivision_type2 = District | subdivision_name2 = Zhob | leader_title = | leader_name = | leader_title1 = | leader_name1 = | area_metro_km2 = 20297 | elevation_m = 1426 | population_total = 46,976 | total_type = City | area_total_km2 = | population_as_of = 2023 | population_footnotes = | population_density_km2 = auto | population_est = | pop_est_as_of = | population_demonym = Zhobi | timezone1 = PST | utc_offset1 = +5 | postal_code_type = Postal code | postal_code = 85200 | area_code = 822 | area_code_type = Calling code | website = | footnotes = | elevation_m_min = | elevation_m_max = | blank_name = Highways | blank_info = Zhob (; ), formerly known as Fort Sandeman, is a city and district headquarters of the Zhob District in the Balochistan province of Pakistan. Zhob is located on the banks of the Zhob river. It lies 337 kilometres away from Quetta, the capital of Balochistan.

During the British colonial era, it was named Fort Sandeman after the British Indian Army officer Robert Groves Sandeman. It obtained its current name in 1976 when the then prime minister of Pakistan Zulfikar Ali Bhutto changed its name.

Tourism Spots

  1. Darga Mandezai: Kali Darga Mandezai is a vibrant village in Zhob, Balochistan, nestled near the flowing Zhob River. Home to the Mandezai tribe, it blends tradition with youthful energy. Locals take pride in their hospitality, spiritual heritage, and rising interest in education. The village also boasts open cricket grounds and playfields, where young talent comes alive under the wide Balochistan sky — making it a lively hub of culture, sport, and community spirit.
  2. Silyaza: One of the most visited picnic spots of the Zhob district, Pakistan. The stream is surrounded by the orchards of apples, grapes, and extensive fields of maize and wheat. Pashtoon tribes living here are Mandokhail.
  3. Paryan-o-Ghundi: Visiting places in this area are Oboo Shakh, Tarjana Narai, Shaly Narai, Uzgii Ghbarga, Sur Ghundai. This area is also rich with Zaitoon (Olive) forests.

History

A Chinese pilgrim, Xuanzang, who visited the region in 629 AD mentioned Pashtuns living in Zhob. The prime historical importance of Zhob is having been a cradle of the Pashtuns. Early in the 13th century the country came within the sphere of the Mongol raids organised by Genghis Khan. In 1398 AD, an expedition against the Pashtuns of the area was led by Pir Muhammad, the grandson of Amir Timur. Although no authentic information exists about any foreign occupation, many forts, mounds and karizes are attributed to the Mughals. Both Nadir Shah (1736-47 AD) and Ahmed Shah Abdali (1747-73 AD) extended their power through Balochistan and thenceforth Zhob remained under the more or less nominal suzerainty of the Durranis and the Barakzais until it came under British protection.

In the middle of the 18th century, Ahmed Shah granted a sanad (certificate) to Bekar Nika, fourth in descent from Jogi and the head of the Jogizai family, conferring upon him the title and position of "Badshah or Ruler of Zhob". This family continued to exercise authority over the Kakars until the British were first brought into contact with them.

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f5/Zhob_IMG_1277.jpg" caption="View of Zhob"] ::

Until the Zhob Valley Expedition of 1884, the area was practically unknown to Europeans. In 1889, the Zhob Valley and Gomal Pass were taken under the control of the British Government. In December 1889, the town of Zhob, then known as Apozai, was occupied by the British and named Fort Sandeman after Sir Robert Sandeman.

The district of Zhob was formed in 1890 with Fort Sandeman as the capital. The population was 3552 according to the 1901 census of India. The military garrison included a native cavalry and a native infantry regiment. It was also the headquarters of the Zhob Levy Corps. In 1894, a supply of water from the Saliaza valley was established, allowing irrigation and planting of fruits and trees and providing drinking water. It cost a little over a lakh of rupees.

During the colonial era, the political agent resided in a building known as "the Castle" that lay to the north of the town and 150 ft above the surface of the plain. The military lines, bazaar, dispensaries, and schools lay below. During this time, the railway system was built. The nearest railway station in Baluchistan is Harnai, 168 mi distant. Bhakkar, the railway station for Dera Ismail Khan, is 122 mi distant. The population numbered 3,552 in 1901.

A local fund was created in 1890. The income during 1903-4 was 18,000 rupees and the expenditure 17,000 rupees. One-third of the net receipts from octroi were paid over to the military authorities. There is a small sanitarium, about 8500 ft above sea-level, about 30 mi away at Shinghar on the Sulaiman range, to which resort is made in the summer months.

There is a Pakistan Army cantonment in Zhob too. Semi-nomadic people from various provinces or Afghanistan migrate to Zhob amid the weather of the city. Tribes known for migration include Yusafzai, Tarakai, Mehsud, Wazir etc.

Demographics

Population

As of the 2023 census, Zhob has population of 46,976.

Zhob's population is predominately Pashtun. According to the census of 2017, the total population of Zhob city was 46,164, while the population of Zhob district was 310,544. The average annual growth rate was 2.52% from 1998 to 2017.

::data[format=table title="Religious groups in Zhob City (1941 & 2017){{efn|1941: Data for the entirety of the town of Fort Sandeman, which included Fort Sandeman Municipality and Fort Sandeman Cantonment.{{rp|13–14}}|name="ZhobCity1941"}}"] | Religious group | 1941 | 2017 | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Total population | 9,353 | 46,164 | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Islam [[File:Star and Crescent.svg|15px]] | 5,232 | | 45,291 | | | | | | | | Hinduism [[File:Om.svg|15px]] | 2,992 | | 150 | | | | | | | | Sikhism [[File:Khanda.svg|15px]] | 1,004 | | | | | | | | | | Christianity [[File:Christian cross.svg|15px]] | 121 | | 714 | | | | | | | | Zoroastrianism [[File:Faravahar.svg|15px]] | 1 | | | | | | | | | | Ahmadiyya [[File:Liwa-e-Ahmadiyya_1-2.svg|15px]] | | | 9 | | | | | | | | Others | 3 | | 0 | | | | | | | ::

Climate

Zhob has a semi-arid climate (Köppen BSh). Its rainfall is high enough to avoid the arid climate category found at lower elevations. Unlike most of Balochistan, Zhob does receive rainfall on occasions from the monsoon, though this occurs very erratically. |location = Zhob (1991-2020) |single line = Y |metric first = Y |Jan record high C = 22.8 |Feb record high C = 26.0 |Mar record high C = 32.0 |Apr record high C = 36.1 |May record high C = 40.0 |Jun record high C = 42.8 |Jul record high C = 41.7 |Aug record high C = 40.6 |Sep record high C = 39.6 |Oct record high C = 35.0 |Nov record high C = 29.2 |Dec record high C = 24.4 |Jan high C = 14.1 |Feb high C = 16.2 |Mar high C = 21.6 |Apr high C = 27.8 |May high C = 33.4 |Jun high C = 36.8 |Jul high C = 36.7 |Aug high C = 35.8 |Sep high C = 33.6 |Oct high C = 28.5 |Nov high C = 22.5 |Dec high C = 17.3 |year high C = 27.0 |Jan mean C = 6.8 |Feb mean C = 9.4 |Mar mean C = 14.6 |Apr mean C = 20.6 |May mean C = 25.9 |Jun mean C = 29.5 |Jul mean C = 29.5 |Aug mean C = 28.6 |Sep mean C = 26.2 |Oct mean C = 20.4 |Nov mean C = 13.9 |Dec mean C = 9.7 |Jan low C =-0.6 |Feb low C = 2.0 |Mar low C = 7.5 |Apr low C = 13.3 |May low C = 18.5 |Jun low C = 22.1 |Jul low C = 22.7 |Aug low C = 22.3 |Sep low C = 18.8 |Oct low C = 12.4 |Nov low C = 5.7 |Dec low C = 0.7 |year low C = 12.1 |Jan record low C = −8.9 |Feb record low C = -6.7 |Mar record low C = −3.0 |Apr record low C = 4.0 |May record low C = 8.0 |Jun record low C = 15.0 |Jul record low C = 14.4 |Aug record low C = 11.5 |Sep record low C = 10.0 |Oct record low C = 3.3 |Nov record low C = -4.4 |Dec record low C = −7.7 |precipitation colour = green |Jan precipitation mm = 13.4 |Feb precipitation mm = 26.6 |Mar precipitation mm = 35.0 |Apr precipitation mm = 31.7 |May precipitation mm = 15.6 |Jun precipitation mm = 23.1 |Jul precipitation mm = 62.5 |Aug precipitation mm = 33.5 |Sep precipitation mm = 11.9 |Oct precipitation mm = 4.5 |Nov precipitation mm = 8.2 |Dec precipitation mm = 7.8 |year precipitation mm =273.8 |unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm |Jan precipitation days = 2.6 |Feb precipitation days = 3.8 |Mar precipitation days = 4.6 |Apr precipitation days = 4.5 |May precipitation days = 2.3 |Jun precipitation days = 3.0 |Jul precipitation days = 5.7 |Aug precipitation days = 3.8 |Sep precipitation days = 1.3 |Oct precipitation days = 0.7 |Nov precipitation days = 1.2 |Dec precipitation days = 1.6 |Jan humidity=40 |Feb humidity=40 |Mar humidity=41 |Apr humidity=40 |May humidity=29 |Jun humidity=29 |Jul humidity=45 |Aug humidity=47 |Sep humidity=40 |Oct humidity=34 |Nov humidity=32 |Dec humidity=38 |year humidity= |Jan sun = 237.8 |Feb sun = 218.1 |Mar sun = 241.1 |Apr sun = 256.0 |May sun = 323.4 |Jun sun = 312.7 |Jul sun = 298.2 |Aug sun = 300.9 |Sep sun = 301.0 |Oct sun = 300.3 |Nov sun = 275.0 |Dec sun = 249.6 |source 1 = NOAA (extremes, sun 1961–1990),{{Cite FTP |url = ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/RA-II/PK/41620.TXT |server = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |title = Zhob(Pho) Climate Normals 1961-1990 |access-date = 16 January 2013}} |date=August 2011 | source 2 = Deutscher Wetterdienst (humidity 1959-1967) | url = http://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_416200_kt.pdf | title = Klimatafel von Zhob (Ft.Sandeman),Belutschistan / Pakistan | publisher = Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure | access-date = September 17, 2016}}

Transport

Roads

Zhob is 365 km far from Quetta and 225 km far from Dera Ismail Khan. However, the road linking with Dera Ismail Khan is mostly a track passing through water streams and almost all of the road is metalloid. The Quetta to Zhob National Highway has been completed recently on the expenditure of 7 billion rupees by NHA in five years in two shifts (Quetta-Killasaifulah and Killasaifulah-Zhob). Zhob has an important link with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa because it connects Balochistan with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and then with Punjab; originally it took 12 hours or more to reach Dera Ismail Khan, but now it is distance of almost 4 hours. On this route there is a heavy traffic of cargo and goods carrying vehicles to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. The route is very convenient for transportation between Punjab and Balochistan. This road is very important for carrying goods from province Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to the sea port of Karachi.

Railway

Zhob was linked by rail with the Pakistan Railways network. In 1986 all service stopped and in 1991, the Pakistan Railways lifted the rails and permanently removed the line. There have been proposals to replace it with a broad gauge line but nothing has been implemented. The Zhob line originally split off the Chaman line north of Quetta at Bostan. A more direct route to the capital via Dera Ismail Khan and Darya Khan was also proposed. A new project was proposed in 2021 to link Quetta with Peshawar via Bostan, Zhob, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu and Kohat.

Nothing became of this proposal.

Airport

The Civil Aviation Authority of Pakistan constructed an airport at Zhob with a 6390 ft runway that links Zhob by air with the major cities of Pakistan.

Notes

References

  1. [https://web.archive.org/web/20080525230915/http://www.nrb.gov.pk/lg_election/union.asp?district=83&dn=Zhob Tehsils & Unions in the District of Zhob - Government of Pakistan]
  2. [http://www.balochistanpolice.gov.pk/zhob.php Zhob Background - Balochistan Police Website] {{webarchive. link. (4 March 2010)
  3. {{EB1911
  4. "Fort Sandeman - Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 12, p. 103.".
  5. "AREA & POPULATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE UNITS BY RURAL/URBAN: 1951-1998 CENSUSES". [[Pakistan Bureau of Statistics]].
  6. "AREA, POPULATION BY SEX, SEX RATIO, POPULATION DENSITY, URBAN POPULATION, HOUSEHOLD SIZE AND ANNUAL GROWTH RATE, CENSUS-2023, BALOCHISTAN".
  7. "BHC :: Zhob > History of District".
  8. "Balochistān (Pakistan): Province, Major Cities, Municipalites [sic] & Towns - Population Statistics, Maps, Charts, Weather and Web Information".
  9. "CENSUS OF INDIA, 1941 VOLUME XIV BALUCHISTAN".
  10. "Final Results (Census-2017)".
  11. "District Wise Results / Tables (Census - 2017) TABLE 9 - POPULATION BY SEX, RELIGION AND RURAL/URBAN".
  12. "Zhob Climate Normals 1991–2020". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
  13. "PR to establish rail link Quetta to DI Khan via Zhob". PakTribune.

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tehsils-of-zhob-district