Zhob
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The district is named after the river Zhob (meaning oozing water in Pashto). The Zhob river has a total length of about 410 km, and the only river in Pakistan that follows a north-eastern course. It springs from the Kan Metarzai range, passes about 4 kilometre from Zhob city and finally flows into the Gomal river near Khajuri Kach. Zhob city was previously called Fort Sandeman, named after Robert Sandeman, the first Agent to the Governor General of Balochistan. The name was changed on July 30 1976 by the Prime Minister of Pakistan of that time Z. A. Bhutto. The hand-written remarks inserted by him into the visitors' book (preserved at the Zhob Militia Mess) on the occasion say, "Today we have taken a decision to eliminate last vestige of colonialism of this historical place by changing the name instead (to) Zhob of Sandeman, the British conqueror and oppressor of Pathan and Baloch people and country." Traditionally, Fort Sandeman was called Appozai, named after a village situated two km away.
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The tribes inhabiting the area are indigenous to the land. Zhob is the cradle of the Afghan race. Qais Abdul Rashid, who is believed to be one of the progenitors of the Pashtoons or Afghans, lived in the Suleiman mountains near Zhob. He was born in 575 AD and died in 661 AD. Natives call the place where he is buried "Da Kase Ghar" (the mountain of Qais). The Chinese pilgrim Hiven Tsiang who visited India in 629 AD, described the Afghans as living in Zhob. The area was ruled by Nadir Shah from 1736 to 1747 and by Ahmed Shah Abdali from 1747 to 1773. It was part of the Afghan dynasty when the British penetrated it in 1881. A number of areas now in Zhob, Killa Saifullah, and Pishin districts were ceded to British Indian Balochistan after the Durand line in 1893. They soon became a district.
Zhob district is the second oldest existing district of Balochistan, after Quetta. It was raised to district level in February 1890, under Captain MacIvor as the first Political Agent.
The district has an important geo-strategic location. It links Afghanistan, South Waziristan Agency, D.I.Khan district, Killa Saifullah, Loralai, and MusaKhel.
Zhob district is the second oldest existing district of Balochistan, after Quetta. It was raised to district level in February 1890, under Captain MacIvor as the first Political Agent.
The district has an important geo-strategic location. It links Afghanistan, South Waziristan Agency, D.I.Khan district, Killa Saifullah, Loralai, and MusaKhel.
how to get there
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Drive:
Take the N-70 highway from Multan and then merge on to N-55 near DG Khan and then onto N-50 near DI Khan. Take N-25 highway from Quetta and then merge onto N50 near Kuchluk |
Sights
Zhob River is formed by the fast flowing water from Suleiman Mountains. As a consequence, the river also flows at a great speed and passes through Balochistan
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Kapip Reserved Forest is located on the outskirts of Zhob. This natural forest land is the place of the wild olive trees that are found in the upland areas of the west and north of Pakistan
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Sabakzai Dam is an embankment dam on the Sawar Rud, a tributary of Zhob River, about 68 km South West of Zhob in Balochistan
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At a distance of 82 Kms from Zhob, at the height of 2850 meters above the level, are few huts which were used by British officers.
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