Sibi
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Sibi is a small town in western Balochistan. It has been a meeting point for Baloch chiefs and public for centuries - even today, every 4-5 February a horse and cattle show is held at the annual meeting of all the chiefs of Balochistan.
Sibi is a historical city of Balochistan. It is sometimes also known as Sivi, named for a Hindu princess, from the Hindu tribe Sewa, which lived here before 1880. Later, the British laid out plans for Railways and made Sibi an important post. British named the new town as Sandemandabad, after Sir Robert Sandeman, popular British officer who ruled Dera Ghazi Khan and had organized pacts with Khan of Kalat to establish ties with Baloch tribal chiefs. The history of the town goes back to 13th century. Due to its exposed position between the mouths of the Harnai and Bolan passes it had suffered frequent assaults and sieges - including one by the British in 1841. During British rule the town became an important junction on the Sindh-Peshin railway where the Harnai line and the Quetta loop line meet. Sibi is often visited as a stopover during the journey from Sukkur to Quetta. |
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Sibi is an agricultural city - the Panni Pashtuns own 98% of the land, while 2% land is owned by Baloch.
how to get there
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Fly:
Fly to Quetta International Airport from any domestic or international location and then drive to Sibi |
Train:
Take a train to Quetta railway station from almost all Pakistani cities and towns. Then you may drive down to Sibi |
Drive:
Take the N-65 (East) highway from Quetta. Take N-65 (West) highway from Sukkur |
Sights
The 15th-century ruins of Mir Chakar's Fort lie on the outskirts of Sibi. There's also an old traditional accommodation for camel caravans constructed by Sardar Sohbat Khan.
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The British built a residency and Victoria Memorial Hall here, now known as Jirga Hall. This hall has been converted into a museum with archaeological artifacts found at Mehrgarh.
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Mehrgarh is 9,000 years old and the second oldest Indus Valley civilization. It is one of the earliest sites with evidence of farming and herding in South Asia, and is located near Bolan Pass.
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The Bolān Pass is a mountain pass through the Toba Kakar Range of Balochistan, 120 km from the Afghanistan border. It connects Sibi with Quetta both by road and railway.
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Bibi Nani
Bibi Nani is an area in the road between the towns of Quetta and Sibi. The area name is derived from a Sufi figure that was buried in its suburbs and is also the location of a Hindu shrine.
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