• Agriculture / Horticulture 24
• Livestock 30
• Fisheries 32
• Forestry 34
• Mining 35
• Industry & Manufacturing 36

• Water Supply 44
• Health 45
• Education 48
• Sports 53

The district is named after Mir Jaffar Khan Jamali, a Muslim League veteran from Balochistan and a close friend of Quaid-e-Azam. He contributed towards the promotion of the Muslim League cause in the area. He died on April 7, 1967 and was buried in Rojhan Jamali.

Before the creation of Jaffarabad District, during the "One-Unit" period, this district was known as sub-division Jhatpat and was a part of Jacobabad district of Sindh province. Jhatpat as a sub-division is very old. It was raised to sub-division level on 12 January 1932 with Captain Hoc Bland as the first Assistant Commissioner. On the dissolution of "One-Unit" in 1970 it was included in Sibi district and remained within the jurisdiction of Sibi district till January 1975. In 1975, when Nasirabad district came into existence, Jhatpat was included in Nasirabad district. The Usta Mohammad sub-division was a part of Sindh upto very recent years. Usta Mohammad is named after Maulvi Usta Mohammad.

Jaffarabad is at a main-road to Sindh province. Its boundaries link five districts: Larkarna, Jacobabad (Sindh), Nasirabad, Jhall Magsi, and Dera Bugti.

Area wise Jaffarabad is the second smallest of all districts in Nasirabad division. It constitutes 14.4 percent of the total division area. Its geographical area is 244,510 ha., of which only 10% is not reported. The table below shows that 85.5% is arable land, while only 10.973 ha. (45%) is cultivable waste.

It is bounded in the north by Bolan district, in the west by Jhall Magsi, in the south by Nasirabad and in the east by Dera Bugti agency.

The length of the district is about 234 Kms while the width varies from 10 to 30 kms. The railway and highway going through the district are 15 km. The Saim Shahk (canal) is at 8 kilometer distance from Dera Allah Yar. It is the boundary of the two provinces: Sindh and Balochistan.

The climate of the district is hot. The weather becomes extremely hot and humid in summer. The harshness of summer is prolonged over the months of May, June, July, August, September, and October. It is mildly hot in April. Summer begins from mid March and lasts to the end of October.

In winters the weather is pleasant all over the district. It lasts from December to January . The months of April, November and February are pleasant. The humidity is highest in summer, particularly in the area adjacent to the Pat feeder canal, where rice cultivation takes place.

Dust storms are common in hot weather; they appear in summer. Nowadays they are less frequent than before, mainly because of the increase in vegetation. Generally, they blow from the west and north and are accompanied by heavy dust columns. A dust storm may be followed by rain. The area gets inadequate rainfall, both in winter and summer. In July and August only, the rain fall is adequate, because of the monsoon rains.

According to the Agricultural Department’s classification of lands in Balochistan in five ecological zones based on the altitude from sea-level, the district falls in the area ranging till 635 meters (1500 feet) above sea level. The day and night temperatures vary substantially.

The soils of Jaffarabad contain silt, clay, silt loam, clay loam, and sandy loam. On the basis of the soil reconnaissance, soil in the command area of both sub-divisions of Jhatpat and Usta Mohammad can be classified as silty and loamy soil. The majority of the land, however, is sandy and clay loam. There is more loamy soil in dense agricultural areas. According to Fazle Karim Khan's classification of soils in Balochistan, the district comes under the category of the "soils of pediment plains".

According to the Inspectorate of Mineralogy, the area has shown no mineral potential so far.

The type of vegetation in the district includes agricultural crops, a few trees in block plantations, along the canal and road side and at some farms. The main tree species are Eucalyptus, Acacia, Dalbergia, Zizyphis, Albizzia, Azadricha and Sesbania. The shrubs include Presepis Juliflora, Panicum antidetals, Halexylon spp, Alhagae camalorum. Because of the water resources from the canal the area has agricultural crops which include vegetables and fruits grown on commercial basis.

The three major sources of provision of energy in the district are gas, electricity and fuel wood. The use of fuel wood is mainly for heating. Natural gas is available in Usta Mohammad, Jhatpat , Shobatpur, Rojhan Jamali. Gas and electricity are utilized for commercial and domestic purposes. There is a growing use of electricity for agricultural purpose. The use of electricity for cooking and heating is common in rural / urban areas. There are a few areas in the district without electricity. The use of kerosene and diesel is frequent in those areas. The use of diesel engines for pumping water is common.

According to the Forest Department spokesman, the use of fuel wood is a bottleneck in the growth of trees and bushes as every year thousands of trees and bushes are razed to the ground for fuel purposes. The use of coal is not very common for domestic purpose. In rural areas, dung cake is used for fuel and heating purpose. The consumption of oil, gas, and electricity for heating purpose is limited as the area has a mild winter season. The illegal use of electricity is common in rural areas.

The use of dung cake is very common in Jaffarabad district as an important source of energy for fuel and heating purpose. According to the housewives, dung cake is a cheap source of energy for cooking. It is not only a source of saving of resources , it is also a source of income for the common people of the district. Made of the waste of draught animals and big ruminants, it involves the sole labor of rural women, ranging from 7 year old girls to old women. They do it as a part of household labour by moulding it and drying it on roof tops and walls. Poor men are seen in Dera Allah Yar to sell dung cake bags laden on donkeys, travelling from rural areas to towns.

The blowing of dust storms brings dust pollution at times. Dust storms can continue for a few hours, sometimes clouding the sun in daylight.

Soil erosion is rare, although water-logging and salinity have ruined some land in the district (1 %).

Water pollution by chemical items is also rare. Water pollution in case of water tanks and stored water is caused by animals and/or insects. This happens in the canal area. In rural areas, water may be polluted by ill-hygienic use of water resources, and use of the source by wild/domestic animals. The living conditions in rural areas lack sanitation. The joint family system, use of combined kitchens, living room and toilet can cause a number of diseases.

The environment in the district is hardly affected by "grey" pollution, as it lacks an industrial set-up and factories. Traffic related pollution is limited to the areas around the highway and the two cities: Jhatpat and Usta Mohammad. The rest of the area is free from smoke and air pollution. However, the rice shellers cause some environmental pollution.

After Ziarat, Jaffarabad district is the smallest of the districts in Balochistan. Although small in size, its potential area available for cultivation belongs to the largest in the province. Land and the available irrigation water through feeder canals from the Indus can be considered as the most important resources for the district. It is a flat area with an average maximum temperature of over 40 C in summer and of around 20 C in winter, which makes it suitable for crops like rice, wheat, oil seeds and cotton.

The very little forest there is, is further threatened by cutting of wood for fuel purposes. The environment is however suitable for an expansion of forestry activities. Other energy sources are gas and electricity (the most important ones), while also dung cakes are used among the poor population.

The district has no potential of minerals, nor is there any industry worth mentioning. This at least makes that the district has as yet no "grey" pollution problems. Dust storms causes at times pollution of the air with dust but did not lead so far to a soil erosion problem. Water-logging and salinity in the irrigated areas is a cause for concern however.

It is difficult to indicate the specific growth pattern for Jaffarabad only, as all population figures are based on estimates of NIPS and the NIPS estimates for both Jaffarabad and Naseerabad are based on data when the two districts were one. The joint estimated annual growth rate is 5.4%, which is among the highest in the Province. However, in the first place the population growth pattern for the two districts vary slightly. In the second place, within the district the growth pattern in rural areas is higher than urban areas. The urban areas are limited to the town of Usta Mohammad and Jhatpat . According to the 1981 census, the growth rate pattern can be realized as 4.41 for Usta Mohammad subdivision, and 4.88 for the (Jaffarabad) Jhatpat sub-division.

There is no data available on the population composition in the district.

According to the 1981 census the average household size in the district is 7.1 persons, which is below the average in Balochistan. The tribal homogeneity and entrenched family system advocate a joint family relationship. The families with literacy and outside family marriages have smaller households.

The dependent population in the district consists of 46.4 percent of the total population (123,244 out of 265,342) according to the 1981 census. It was based on the groups aged from 1 to 14 and 70 years and above. The dependency ratio of women is much higher because of the lack of education, poverty and the prevailing social system. The joint family system takes care of the dependent population.

The rural dimension of the Jaffarabad population, based on the 1981 census, is 92.9 % (246,596 out of 265,342).

Houses are closely knit. The population all over the district lives in close homogeneity. Only in Quetta the population density is higher than in Jaffarabad.

Jaffarabad district is ethnically / tribally heterogeneous. There are three ethnic groups inhabiting the district. They are Baloch, Jamoot/Jat and Brauhi. The two leading Baloch tribes are Khosa and Jamali. The Khosa tribe mainly lives in the east of the district while the Jamali tribesmen live in the west. The Khosa tribe has a little numerical edge over the Jamali tribe. They are followed by Jamoot, Brauhi and Sindhi. There are Syeds in the district. There are Gola, Mengal, Sasooli, Jattak, Lehri, Bungalzai, Shahwani, and Kakar tribes beside Khosa, Jamali, and Jamoot. Among the Brauhi tribes are Mengal, Jattak, Rakhsani.

A tribe is distinguished by its political affluence. Politically, the Jamali tribe is more effective. Jamali are more well off than Khosa. Despite their numerical strength, the Jamoots are less distinct as an ethnic community because of their lower standard of living and political weakness. Most of them are tenants and petty tillers on the lands owned by Jamali, Khosa and Umrani landlords. According to the District Gazetteer of 1901 they are said to "represent a congeries either of Muhammadans, nor Afghans, Baloch or Brahvis or Syeds. They were good cultivators and less extravagant than their Baloch neighbor".

The major language in the district is Sindhi. The other languages spoken are Balochi and Saraiki and even Brauhi. The Umrani and Jamali tribesmen speak Saraiki. The elite of Jamali tribe generally speak Saraiki. The Jamoots are both Sindhi and Saraiki speaking. Syeds speak Sindhi. The majority of the population is trilingual.

The Sindhi culture has a strong influence on the population because of the closeness of the area to Sindh province. It has been part of the Jacobabad district both before and after partition of Pakistan in 1947.

Urdu is spoken as a medium of education or communication between/among two different ethnic persons. Urdu is spoken in the major town of Dera Allah Yar. There is a small Pathan population (Kakar) living here. They speak Sindhi.

The district witnessed a large number of migration flows from other areas of Balochistan in search of livelihood because of the fertility of the area. A number of Baloch and Brauhi tribes, now locals of the area, actually migrated to the area 50 to 70 years ago, after the canals were dug and the area became irrigated.

The exact number of in-migrants to the district since 1981 is not recorded in any office. But it is one of the causes of the doubling of the population over the last 15 years. Migration from Sindh to the district during the last few decades was not common. Because of the agricultural fertility and availability of water the migration from the area is very limited. The migration from neighboring districts within the province is also very limited.

A large number of workers to work in rice fields and paddies may only be seasonal settlers . There is a seasonal migration into the district in winters along the canal. "Powandas" (nomads) and people from hilly areas come in winters. They are driven by the pursuit of pasture and shelter from snowy cold weather in hills. They leave in the beginning of summer season.

A large part of the district population has dual domicile of Balochistan and Sindh. It is particular the case for Khosa, Gola and Shawani living in Jafferabad, who simultaneously own land and villages in Jacobabad district.

The civilian labour force (working and looking for work) constitutes - according to the 1981 census - 29 percent of the total population. However, actual male and female labour force participation statistics are not available. The 1981 census report on Balochistan does not cover the Nasirabad sub-division (now Jaffarabad), therefore, it is difficult to analyze it specifically. Women are actively engaged as labourers in support of household, agriculture, poultry / livestock rearing and construction duties, but clear statistics are not available.

The total number of (government) employees currently getting their salaries from the treasury office at Dera Allah Yar is 6,271. They include those serving in the district on the federal list and those who are paid unofficially. There is a labor office headed by the Assistant Director at Dera Murad Jamali for the whole division. The office does not have any system for monitoring employment figures.

The majority of the houses in the district are made of clay and red (baked) bricks. The use of red bricks is most common. These brick houses have thick mud plaster / coating. Mud and clay bricks are used in rural areas by the villagers themselves or otherwise by those engaged for construction at low labor cost. In rural areas women participate in the construction. The mud made houses resist heat. Therefore, brick houses have mud covering on surrounding walls, roofs and interior. An average house has two to three living rooms with a yard. A house may have a room used as a barn. The concepts of flush cistern, commode and/or wash basin do not exist in rural houses. The urban areas in Dera Allah Yar and Usta Mohammad have strong resemblance with the rural areas. However there are a few private owned houses, which have a flush system and modern amenities. This system exists in government owned houses too.

There are residential colonies of the Irrigation Department in Dera Allah Yar and Usta Mohammad. The one in Usta Mohammad is large and pleasant. The rest houses built by the Irrigation Department in Hairdin and Usta Mohammad are very old. They were built in 1913 and 1923. There are a number of government houses for government employees. A number of houses is very old. The town of Shoubatpur has a number of old houses belonging to the Gola elite. The Superintendent of Police (SP) and Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) houses are mud-made and also very old.

Sixty three percent of the houses in the district is owned by the occupants. Twenty three percent is rent free. Only 14 percent is rented. The availability of rented houses in the district is limited to Dera Allah Yar. Because of the joint family system and close family / tribal setup, the number of rent free houses is large.

As mentioned earlier, the houses in the district are made of clay and baked bricks with thick clay / mud topping and roofing. Doors, windows, and ventilators are made of wood. The use of iron grills is rare. The use of cement, iron, and tiles is not common. The use of mortar is mostly found in floor boards. The joints are made of wood.

There are very few old buildings in the area belonging to Jaffarabad district. There is not any important historical architecture. The houses are generally 25 to 50 year old.

Seventy-nine percent of the district area is electrified. Gas is extended to Dera Allah Yar, Shobatpur and Usta Mohammad. Few of the remaining villages have been provided with gas. For industrial and mechanical / agricultural purposes electricity is the major source of energy. Both sources are used for cooking and heating purpose. Houses without electricity rely on kerosene oil and wood. The use of dung cake for fuel is very common among poor people, even in areas with electricity and gas. The persons from the upper / middle class use diesel powered generators for agricultural and domestic purposes in the areas without electricity. The use of kerosene and gas lamps is also common. Illegal electricity connections are common in the rural areas, in the sense that people have connected themselves illegally to the power grid or sabotage their meters.

The villages are situated at short distances from one another. A housing facility constitutes commonly a kitchen, a bath-room and a toilet. In most of the houses cooking is done outside or under a shelter, due to the long period of hot weather. The government owned houses and those belonging to rich people have a separate bath-room and kitchen. Seventy-six percent of the housing environment in the district is without proper drainage, human waste disposal arrangements or a sewerage system.

The district has no shortage of water except during the season when the canal is closed to be cleaned. The problem of clean drinking water and sanitation, however, remains. There are not enough water tanks and filtration arrangements, so that water can be purified. There is lack of sanitation in both urban and rural areas. Sanitation does not come under the Public Health Department. The sewerage systems in urban areas of Dera Allah Yar and Usta Mohammad are not well managed. They are blocked by plastic bags, dust or by rice paddies.

A major development requirement in a densely populated area as Jaffarabadis the improvement of the system of drainage for human waste disposal and sewerage in rural and urban areas. The lack of clean, filtered water is presently a problem that needs urgent attention. These problems are partly caused by the high illiteracy figures, and the social systems of joint family relationship. A major investment in human resources to cope with the complexity of densely populated areas is a must.

The society of Jaffarabad district is predominantly patriarchal. Affiliation to a tribal chief amongst the leading tribes of Khosa and Jamali is not binding. In other words, the Sardari system is generally negligible in the district. Tribal affiliation for tribesmen may exist, but is less binding in case of tribal warfare and vendetta. It exists rather on family level. The society is male dominated with little choice given to women in the decision making of family and tribal affairs. The joint family system is common.

People live in close homogeneity, particularly in rural areas. The mode of living is primarily rural. The majority lives below the poverty line. The major source of income is from tenantship, small landownership, livestock raising, petty labour and for some from low scale government work.

Mostly wheat is used for making bread, while potatoes and onions are consumed as main vegetables.Wheat is the staple food.

Dress, commonly worn by women and men is shalwar and kameez, which is light to cope with excessive heat. Women’s dresses have very little embroidery on them.

The family set-up in the district is classified into rural and urban. The urban set-up, compared to the rural, is smaller. The two cities Usta Mohammad and Dera Allah Yar have an urban population, but the majority of them still live in conditions, similar to those in rural areas. A common family or household comprises a husband, wife and four to eight children. The joint family system is entrenched in rural areas. The dwellers prefer to be identified with a tribe or clan, rather than the family they belong to. The nuclear family system is increasingly found in the households where its members are more literate.

Jaffarabad district, when compared to other areas of Balochistan, is by large an open society. Male dominance is prevalent. Marriages are arranged. Particularly in the rural areas a limited number of educated or working women may express their willingness or unwillingness for a match. Nevertheless, they still remain under the patriarchal set-up where their fate is determined by their fathers, brothers, or near male relatives. It is widely observed that when uneducated girls get married, they are not consulted. The age for the marriage of a girl ranges from 14 to 18 years. Early age and adolescence marriages are more commonly found in the group of uneducated girls. The area with the lowest female literacy rate shows the largest number of marriages at adolescence age and the largest number of girls given in marriages to those elder in age. Childhood marriages are common in the rural areas.

Vulvar (bride-price) is practiced in the area. Money is paid by the groom for a proposal, but the amount is not very big. The amount of vulvar may be spent on buying dowry for the bride by her guardians/parents. The payment of vulvar is imputed to the male side by the female members at the time a proposal of marriage is made. There are no rules fixed about the amount of vulvar. It varies from case to case. It may be paid by the bridegroom, his parents / guardians or relatives. The demand for vulvar is usually raised, when a proposal is repeated to the bride's side; the one proposed to is very beautiful; the proposer is very rich and/or the bride becomes his second wife.

There is a system of "Wata Sata" (exchange marriages). The system is strongly practiced in the lower and middle class of the society. In the majority of the cases under the system, a girl is married to a man in exchange for a bride for her brother. The system facilitates marriages at lesser expenses and therefore poor people prefer it to vulvar.

Under the vulvar and Ata Wata system, girls proposed to are left with no choice, and have to bow down their heads for marriage without their consent. After the marriage of their daughters, the parents become almost indifferent towards their daughter’s welfare. They remain at the mercy of their husband and in-laws. It is observed that under an exchange system of marriages, retaliation may be shown by the husband side against his wife in case his sister is not happy with his wife's brother. A second marriage on the side may result in marriage breakup, ill treatment of his wife, or tit for tat in retaliation.

A form of retaliation against the wife may result in "Shiakari", where the woman is murdered for being alleged in adultery with another man (see Siakari). Marriages are broken as the result of retaliation.

As mentioned, the society is predominantly a patriarchal society. Decision making is in the hands of the men. Decisions made by the men are binding for women. There are no special organisations to cater for the social needs and problems of the common men. Particularly addressing women’s problems has been the appointment of Lady Health Visitors under the Prime Minister Scheme. These visitors are working for the well-being of women by providing counseling. There are NGOs for primary education, such as SCOPE (Society for the Organisation and Community Promotion of Education) with its base in Dera Allah Yar, that can be helpful to promote female welfare and education/literacy, which - in turn - can further social organisation.

The traditional level of co-operation, shrank with the development of the district. Co-operation at times of death and marriage still exists. People contribute to arrange for meals for a number of days. Other traditional institutions and norms, which existed in the past have either collapsed or are not functioning any longer. The sense of group homogeneity and self-reliance among a tribe or intra-tribe have ceased to a great extent and therefore the sense of common support for a problem is fading away. Factors responsible for that primarily include the people’s reliance on government for fund and support. For example, in older days during the flood season, for the construction of a small safety spur around the village or the construction of a pool for storing water at a village, or to level agricultural fields for irrigation, everybody would join in the effort by bringing in oxen driven ploughs, labour force, etc. Now these practices exist no more. Due to the growing reliance on aid assured by the MNA / MPAs / Councilors, the low per capita income, and the tribal polarization, the attitude of the people remains indifferent towards their fellow tribesmen and others. The traditional customs of cooperation have faded away without the development of new ones. Although the family / tribal cooperation in case of vendetta is limited, it may still occur in case of upper tribal families.

There are a number of associations for youth and tribal welfare such as Jamoot Qoomi Movement, Jamoot Students Association, Gola/Buledi Students Association and others.

A number of welfare associations exist. They include "Anjuman Falah-o-Behbood Pahnwar Senhri" "Tanzeem Noujawanan Manjipur Tehsil Jhat Pat", "Mille Development Association for Jaffarabad, "Dehi Taraqiati Council Usta Mohammad".

The majority of people living in Jaffarabad district belong to the Sunni sect of the Islam. A considerable number of Shia also lives in the district. The ratio of Shia population in Jaffarabad is large compared to the division. No census statistics exist on population division on religious grounds, besides the main religions. Therefore, it is difficult to analyse the exact number of the Shia population. There are two religious schools of Shia at Soubatpur and Usta Mohammad.

The district has a large number of Hindu people. They live in Dera Allah Yar and Usta Mohammad. A large number of Hindu shop-keepers in Dera Allah Yar goes to Jacobabad, the hub of Hindus in Sindh, in the evening. They are indigenous to the land, and can speak native languages. They are predominantly Sindhi speaking.

The two major festivals observed are Eid-Fitr and Eid-Azha. They are occasions of great jubilation and joy. The other festivals are "Eid-Miladuld Nabi, Sab-e-Barat", and "Muharam". Feasts and alms given to / distributed amongst poor, needy and relatives.

The Hindu population observes "Diwali" and "Holi". The number of Hindus living in Jaffarabad district has reduced since the Independence. In the past, there were large numbers of Hindus living in the area. They have migrated either to Sindh or to India.

The population of Jaffarabad district, is comparatively less religiously conservative. It is religiously liberal and flexible. The main indicators therefore are the attendance in mosques, at routine prayers, in fasting and the religious knowledge. There is a big respect for "Pirs" (religious bigwigs) and "Syeds" amongst the Sindhi speaking population.

The incidence of sectarian differences is small. There are less cases of sectarian violence than cases of family / tribal violence. Although, following the Ayodhya incident in India in 1991, after the Babri mosque was desecrated, there was retaliation against Hindus.

There are several shrines in the district. The important ones are those of Maulvi Qadir Bakhsh and Faizal Faqir. The shrine of Qadir Bakhsh is at 4 kilometer distance from Shoubatpur. The shrine of Faizal Faqir is at a distance of three kilometers from Gandaka. An annual "Meela" (function) is held at the Faqir shrine. The tomb of Shoubat Khan Gola, inside the Shoubatpur town, and tomb of Sakhi Dur Mohammad are considered as less important. People visit shrines for the fulfillment of their desires and hopes. Visits to shrines predominantly take place on Thursday evenings.

There are two major lines of conflict resolution in the district: a government and a private one. The government line works through judicial decisions: Judicial Magistrates, Civil Judges and Session Judges at Dera Allah Yar and Usta Mohammad.

The former government "Jirga" system was more effective. The Jirga was a traditional system of justice which had actively been practiced in Balochistan to settle legal cases and disputes where the law and order situation posed a threat. The system, in practice since British rule, was modified under the Special Provision Ordinance (Criminal Provisions 11) of 1968 to make it more convenient for justice. The system was abolished in 1991. Nonetheless the government can still form a Jirga (comprising of notables etc) for a conflict resolution and can later on legalise the decision taken at the Jirga level.

The private line however has proved to be a more effective mode of conflict resolution than the government channel. There is a "Merh" system, where one of the parties in conflict can go to the other party. The offer for "Mehr" is initiated by the offender’s side. It entails that one side begs for mercy, thus indicating to be guilty of the incident leading to dispute. The side may be accompanied by a number of notables as a token of endorsement for settlement and broker for conditions. An offer for Mehr may be accepted with or without conditions or penalties, the former being more common. The offer may be rejected.

There is also a way of conflict resolution which is known as "Biradiri system" (Brotherhood), where close family / tribe persons or notables from or outside the family / tribe can mediate and settle the disputes.

It is widely observed, that in conflict resolution there are conditions imposed on one party or both. It can be payment of a sum, land or by marrying the women to the side inflicted. The private settlement of disputes is believed to have played a more important role in bringing peace and justice to the parties suffered. Those brokering the settlement are responsible for the parties to abide by its conditions.

A large number of weapons is in possession of the people. According to the SP office report, both traditional and advanced weapons have been used in different situations. They include traditional rifles and 12-bore shot-guns, and advanced weapons such as Kalashnikovs (a popular automatic weapon). The use of rocket launchers, "shakeel" and mortar guns is not reported in the past years. The advanced weapons however, are not in the possession of common man. They generally belong to either outlaws or tribal chiefs (carried by their bodyguards). Very few of the Kalashnikovs are licensed by the authorities to influential persons. A semi-automatic weapon "kalakov" (Chinese and Russian made) weapon is used in the district by body-guards and outlaws with some modification of the pin-holder which makes it almost automatic. The license for a kalakov is issued by the District Magistrate.

The carrying of weapons in the area is restricted and less frequently encountered because of the classification as "A area" under the police jurisdiction. After the district was put under section 144, carrying of weapons was prohibited. Police searches for weapons are more frequent in the district than in other districts in Nasirabad division. The number of arrests for unlicensed carrying of arms is also higher in the district.

The entire society of Jaffarabad district is male dominated and patriarchal. Since it is the man, who faces enemies and decides the political fate of the family and tribe, he assumes a predominant role in both community and family decision making. The rate of literacy amongst women is very low. The role and status of women is ultimately subordinate to male chauvinism. Because of the illiteracy and unawareness, the women enjoy fewer civil amenities or fundamental rights than men. The human rights of women are violated on a large scale.

Women thus have a minor role in decision-making. They share the economic burden of the family as they contribute to the household and work outside the house in the fields. Nonetheless, their work is not considered an economic contribution and no credit is given to them by husband or elders for their significant contribution. They are commonly seen in rural areas looking after horses, camels and sheep; assisting in cultivation and doing the traditional embroidery. They play a small role in the family and in the tribe. Societal trends force them to remain illiterate and to endure problems related to polygamy and "vulvar" and to a generally low social status.

Politically a woman is without any say. Her vote bank however, has been a growing influence in the district. Special care had been taken by the candidates in the last elections to attract women’s votes to ensure their success. There is an increase in the percentage of the casting of votes by women since elections began in 1985. There are 29 polling stations for women, being the same number as those for men, and an equal number of male and female supervisors perform their duties on combined polling stations (see registration of votes and polling stations table in chapter 4.1). Currently there are two lady representatives in the District Council, two in each of the Committees of Usta Mohammad and Jhatpat, and 54 in the Union Councils in the two sub-divisions of Usta and Jhatpat.

The number of polygamy cases is high in the district. The first wife’s consent is not requested by men for a second marriage. Changes in the status of women are observed in areas with more literacy among women. Literate women are more independent in decision making and have more authority. There are growing trends amongst girls and women for education, but there is a lack of schools. This can be seen by the number of girls in boys schools. Women play an important role in household and agricultural affairs. However, keeping household duties such as fetching drinking water, collecting animal waste for making dung cakes, and being utilized for bride-price and in exchange marriages are all signs of the low status of women.

Killing for "siakari" is a common norm in Jaffarabad district. However, based on a number of cross-section reports and research, it is found that actual cases of siakari are rare. It is rather the pretence of siakari under which each year a number of persons, particularly women, are innocently put to death. Those who sustain injuries and survive carry the stigma for the rest of their lives, being disdained by society. The innocent victims of siakari receive little protection from law and society.

Siakari literally means adultery. A siakar is the name of a person guilty of doing it. The killing of a siakar is a centuries old norm, still practiced in close tribal/rural societies. A man and woman found in illicit relations are put to death. Killing a woman alleged as siakar is more common than killing a man. A woman is more vulnerable for two reasons. One, she is already confined to the boundaries of a house and depending on male protection, thus cannot escape. Two, once declared as siakar she finds no asylum outside.

Persons are decoyed for siakari. A man may decoy someone by inviting him to his house in the night and killing him subsequently as having illegal relations with his wife. The motive behind might be to get rid of his wife for another marriage or to get rid of the person to whom he owes a big amount of money.

Child labour exists in rural and urban areas in different ways. A large number of children is employed in tea-stalls, hotels, and shops on daily, weekly or monthly wages. In a number of cases the wages are received by the parents / guardians. The absolute majority of them belong to the poor and needy families with parents without any formal education.

Both, girls and boys are deployed in case of grazing, cutting fodder, and gathering wood. Girls in rural areas are exclusively engaged in household duties like fetching water. without receiving any formal education. Girls can be commonly observed in areas without drinking water facility fetching water in goat-skin bags on donkey backs from large distances.

From a sociological point of view it is a sort of child abuse when a child is engaged in household duties, without going to school. A large number of children works outside in the fields, grazing cattle and poaching wild chicks. They are engaged in household duties instead of going to school. A large number of them drop out of primary school.

There are two carpet making centers at Usta Mohammad and Dera Allah Yar. Around 50 boys work in the centers learning carpet weaving with monthly stipends of 200 Rs. to 400 Rs. They are all above the age of 12. Previously the number was higher, but after the carpet industry faced charges of child labour, the younger ones were fired.

There is a lack of government support for apprenticeship. The major source of apprenticeship for boys is the private motor workshops, tailoring shops, carpentry, cooking, and bicycle repair shops, where they receive informal training. Such training is observed as helping them in future apprenticeship. In case of girls, it is embroidery work, which they learn traditionally at home. The government sector and NGOs can play an important role in the promotion of apprenticeship for children so that they can have a professional / technical qualification to help them later on in life.

The society is rather open. The ratio of mobility in the district is high without any threat of vendetta. Tribes living in the district are not engaged in bloody tribal feuds among themselves. There are wealthy landowners in Usta Mohammad and Jhatpat sub-divisions, but their role is not very binding on tribesmen. The role of sardars is limited.

The traditional customs of co-operation have changed over the years . The "biradari" (brotherhood/family system) under which a family, relative or neighbour may be supported financially, politically, and morally on occasions of marriages, child-birth, death and calamity, still exists. A number of associations for youth on tribal basis are operating in the district.

The people are not strict religious. Fasting is not very common during Ramadan. The percentage of adults having performed "Haj" (pilgrimage to Mecca) is small.

Jaffarabad is the only district in the province without "B status" or Levy controlled jurisdiction. There is no regular jail in the district. There is a growing need for a penitentiary with factory / manual work facilities.

The four tiers of the Local Government in Jaffarabad are District Council, Town Committee and Municipal Committee and Union Councils. They provide a micro level democracy and institutions but their performance is less effective than expected as they lack funds.

There are two sub-divisions in the district Usta Mohammed and Jhatpat. There are two tehsils Usta Muhammad and Jhatpat and two sub-tehsils Kandaka and Pahwar Sanri. There are no Levy Thanas and 10 Police Stations. There are a total of 21 Patwar circles (9 in Usta. Mohammad and 12 in Jhatpat). The total number of Mozas is 230. The distribution of Mozas in sub-divisions is as follows: Usta Mohammad 136 and Jhatpat 94.

Jafferabad has 29 polling stations for men, 29 for women and 15 combined ones. The combined polling stations are used mostly because of the lack of female staff available for polling duties. The 7 combined polling stations in the Nasirabad district cater for the PB 22 (actually in Jaffarabad district). There is a National Assembly seat (NA 203) for the two districts of Nasirabad and Jaffarabad. The total number of registered voters in 1996 for both districts was 417,554.

The concept of Local government can be traced to the Basic Democratic System founded by the late President Ayub Khan. The institutions were dissolved after Z. A. Bhutto stepped into power in 1970. The Local government institutions were reactivated by President Zia throughout the country to elect the following tiers of the Local Unions and Tehsil Councils. Elections for the Local bodies in Balochistan were held in 1979, 1983, 1987, and 1991. On December 19, 1996, the local bodies have been dissolved and currently new elections are being prepared.

The local government administration (under the provincial Local Government and Rural Development Department) at district level is headed by an Assistant Director (AD). Under the AD come the Development Officers (DO) at each sub-division. Also serving under the AD is a civil engineer, as well as a number of clerical staff. There are Chief Officers (BPS 17) who are the executive officer at District Council or Municipal Committee level.

The local government administration functions in mutual co-operation with the chairman office of the District Council. See annex 4 for the functions of local government. The District Council funds are / were channelled through AD’s office. All local bodies’ officials at the district levels function under the Divisional Director (BPS 18-19).

The Union Council is the lowest tier of the Local government system. There are a total of 28 Union Council under the District Council. Each Union Council represents an average population of 12,000 to 17,000 people in the district. All members are elected, directly by the people or indirectly by the members, as is the case with the peasant and women representatives. The membership varies from 9 to 15. For details on Union Council, Municipal Committee, and District Council see annex 1.

There is one Town Committee in Shoubatpur. It has eight members. The town committee has played an important role in the distribution of a micro level democracy in the area and has generated its own funds.

There is one Municipal Committee in Usta Mohammad sub-division. It comprised 16 members. All but a few were directly elected, including two women representatives and one from each of the minority groups and from the farmers. The Municipal Committee played an important role until its funds were stopped in 1993. It has its separate office building with a Chief Officer from Local Government side.

The membership of the District Council of Jaffarabad was 33. At present there are 28 members, including the Chairman, elected by the members. There is one member each from the minority, the peasant and the worker community. There are two women representatives.

Like all other districts, there are two categories of administration at district level: the federal and the provincial administration. Local government comes under the provincial government. The role of the provincial government is substantial in reference to the management of district affairs. The total strength of (provincial) government employees in the district is 4,361. There are a total of 56 departments. The federal government administration has a smaller role.

The district administration comprises a Deputy Commissioner (DC), an Additional DC, three Assistant Commissioners or Sub-Divisional Magistrates, Tehsildar(s) and Naib Tehsildar(s). The important Departments are those of Levy, police and anti-corruption, irrigation, construction and works (C & W), livestock (animal husbandry), labour, jail, public health & engineering, local government, health, social welfare, forest and wildlife offices. Excise and taxation, treasury office and education all come under the jurisdiction of the provincial government.

The DC as head of the district has power over every department. However a major role for the DC in socio-economic planning is not observed so far, mainly for two reasons. One reason is the frequent transfers within the government administration, including the transfers of the DC himself. Another one is that the DC is very much pre-occupied with issues such as law and order and revenue. There have been examples that the appointment of the DCs depends on the liking of public representatives. If the DC fails to appease the sitting MNA, MPA or Senator, he is likely to be transferred.

Under the federal government administration the institutions which actively function at district level are the elections office, WAPDA, the post office and the railways. The WAPDA plays a substantial role in the electrification of urban and rural areas. It is doing a major job in the widening of Pat Feeder canal. The Gas office (Southern Sui Gas) is also a federal department. There are other federal government units such as Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Inter Service Intelligence (ISI), but their role is less visible.

The Superintendent of Police office was established on February 2, 1975 as the district police headquarters for the former Nasirabad district. After the bifurcation of Nasirabad in 1987 the SP office was designated exclusively for Jaffarabad. The strength of the police force in the district stands next to Quetta. The regular police force is 1,374. There is one SP, 7 Deputy or Assistant Superintendents of Police, 6 Inspectors, 5 Prosecuting Inspectors, 1 Prosecuting Deputy Superintendent of Police, 68 Sub Inspectors, 65 Assistant Sub Inspectors, 263 Head Constables, and 958 Constables. Apart from the regular force there are 118 clerical and technical staff.

Travelling on the short route of highway is safe even at night. Foreigners are only allowed to travel on highways in day light without permission for camping. They can travel across the district with escort. Cases of kidnapping and looting are few. Cases of murder are more often encountered. A number of murders are committed under the guise of "Siakari" (see above). A number of those committing crimes run into Sindh areas or Bugti area across the Pat Feeder canal.

There is no Qazi court in the district. The civil judiciary comprises a Session Judge/Additional Session Judge, Senior Civil Judge and Judicial Magistrate. Because of the fact that the entire district is a regular police area all the murder cases are dealt with by Session courts. There is a separate Additional Session Judge and a Judicial Magistrate.

The Assistant Commissioner and the Additional Deputy Commissioner still have the judicial powers under Chapter 8, 9, 11, 12 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). After abolishing of Ordinance 2 (Jirga Laws) in Balochistan, the judicial power of DM/DC, (also delegated to AC/SDM) of deciding murder cases were taken away. The AC can sentence an accused to 3 years with a fine less than 5,000 Rs. The decision of cases have become more rapid by Judicial Magistrates' courts.

There is no regular jail in the district. The one which serves as a jail/lock up to hold under-trial-inmates comes under the police department, which is under the superintendent of SDM / AC Jhatpat. It has a number of barracks to hold the inmates. The majority of the prisoners are those who are under trial in various courts at Dera Allah Yar and Usta Mohammad. The jail has an original capacity of 80 inmates but actual occupancy is around 200. The jail is surrounded by a thick high wall of over 5 meters, duly fenced at the top. Those sentenced to a longer period are shifted to Mach jail in Bolan district. Those sentenced to a shorter period are sent to the jail in Dera Murad Jamali. Arrangements for visitors have been made to see the to inmates outside through a fenced / ironed gate. Those arrested in Usta Mohammad and Shoubatpur are shifted here. Those wanted on remand may be held in the police stations of cities.

Legend: x is responsible for collection of revenue concerned

In 1996, a new political party was formed: the Jamoot Qoomi Movement (JQM) by Gul Hasan Manjhoo. The party is formed on ethnic basis. It appeals to Jamoot tribesmen for the party candidate for PB 23. The party candidates contested elections from PB 20, 21, and 22. None of them won however.

The case with NA 203 is similar, in the sense that the role of the political parties is limited too. The winning of Nabi Bakhsh Khosa of the seat was largely due to his tribal / personal influence and not because of the party. The parties in the government however can make a difference, as was the case of the 1997 elections, when Zafrullah Jamali as the care-taker Chief Minister, had an edge over his son's opposing candidate.

The Balochistan National Party (BNP) plays a minor role in the area. The Muslim League has been influential in the area but through the elite. The party itself has failed to generate votes for the candidate against Sardars / landlords. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has a vote bank, but is not very strong.

The role of NGOs in the district is limited. The Balochistan Rural Support Program (BRSP) has a limited role in the promotion of the agricultural sector and of sanitation in Jaffarabad district. The NGOs Scope and Society for Community Support in Primary education are also active in the area.

The role of the local government is important as it serves as an entrance for the people for approaching the authorities. It assist in the promotion of democracy at micro level. The people show a demand for the restoration of Local Bodies and their funds.

The maintenance of law and order in the district is dealt with by the Police Department, which is well established and organized. The fact that the district has no "B area" makes the role of the SP office both important and demanding.

There are various sources of revenue in the district. The major source is the land revenue on rice crops. This is particularly true for Usta Mohammad. The revenue includes taxes / income sources on property, vehicle, octroi, agriculture etc.

Although political parties play some role in the district, candidature and support are mostly personally and socially determined. NGO’s only play a marginal role in the development of the district.

Agriculturally Jaffarabad district is the most fertile district of Balochistan. A number of canals and sub-canals irrigate the area. The majority of the area in the district, known as "Command Area", is fed by canals. The major crops grown in this area are rice, wheat, pulses, oil seed and recently also cotton (as the result of extension policy). The horticulture sector entails the growing of mango, citrus and guava. Although the land seems very suitable for horticulture, there is not much interest shown by the landlords, so far, to change towards it. The orchards / number of mango trees have however grown during the last five years.

The total area of the district is 244,510 Ha., out of which 241,978 Ha., i.e. 98.9% is reported. Land not available for cultivation is 21,960 (9.0%). The area under forest is 400 Ha., which is only 0.2 % of the total area. The cultivable waste is 10,973 Ha. (4.5% of the land reported). The land available for cultivation is 85.5 percent of the total reported land. See also chapter 1.1.

The area is controlled by the "Zamindari" (landlord) culture. The landlords usually hold sizable areas. The size of land, owned by them, may be small in their own name, as it is divided among family members and tenants to protect themselves against land reforms. Nonetheless, their command over the land is undisputed. A major part of the land is cultivated by tenants. The tenants do not have their own choice to grow a crop. This is decided upon by the owner. There are two kind of tenants: seasonal and permanent tenants. The latter one is larger in size. Their role in agricultural matters is also larger. Tenants are supported by tillers. Tenants are either supervised by the landowner himself or by hisfamily members.

Area-wise, wheat, rice and pulses are the most important crops in the district. Production wise fodder, wheat and rice are the most important crops. Economically, rice represents 47% of the economic value, wheat 25% and fodder 9%. See annex for specification of the agricultural statistics.

The cropping pattern is different in the two major seasons Khariff and Rabi. The Kharif season starts on 15th May and ends on 30th September, whereas the Rabi season runs from 1 October till 31 March. During the Rabi season major crops are rice, wheat, fodder, vegetables, fruits, pulses and oil seeds.

Farmers in the canal fed area cultivate rice on the entire holdings during the Kharif season, although in principle they are encouraged to cultivate it on 25% of their land only. In the canal-tail portion millet, sorghum, pulses and oil seed are grown. Because of intensified agricultural extension, to address the problem of water logging due to the continuous rice cultivation, the cultivation of rice is reduced and replaced by cotton. The cultivation of cotton is expanding year by year, but there is no output yet for marketing and at present there are no facilities for industrial processing in the district. Sugarcane growing is possible too, but there is no market for this either.

For a detailed overview of total agricultural production and the yields per hectare see the table above and annex 6. The statistics cover the approximate average yield / total production of the crop items. The exact number is very difficult to know as agricultural statistics are collected on basis of sample surveys and this method still needs improvement.

The two principal cultivation patterns are the single crop and fallow system. The single crop system includes rice, wheat, pulse and fodder. In general one does not apply inter-cropping. The land is left fallow once in a while, but this system is not very dominant.

The farming system (agricultural / horticultural) is still largely traditional, but the use of machinery is growing. Ploughing and harvesting is done more mechanical than manual nowadays.

In general the land belongs to a landlord controlling the area. The landlord has a number of tenants who are supported by tillers. Some of the permanent tenants are consulted in decision making of production and farming, but in general the landlord decides what to grow. The largest crop market for the area is Jacobabad.

The major sources of irrigation in the district are the Pat Feeder, the Khirther and the Shahi canal. The Pat Feeder irrigation system was constructed as part of the Guddu Barrage project by WAPDA and came into operation in 1969. The canal was originally constructed at a capacity of 90 cumecs (3,178 cusecs) at its point of entry into Balochistan. It covers at present a cultivable area of about 185,500 hectares. Its length is 166 km.

The Khirther canal takes off from N.W. Canal approximately 50 km down the Sukkar barrage. It was originally constructed in 1932 with a capacity of 1,164 cusecs for irrigation of 130,510 hectares in Sindh and Balochistan. The Shahi comes from Sindh and ends up in Usta Mohammad sub-division.

For Jaffarabad only, the total area covered by the irrigation scheme is 238,350 hectares, while according to the Agricultural Statistics for the 1994 -1995 season actually 189,377 hectares have been cultivated.

Agricultural mechanization in Jaffarabad district is expanding. The number of tractors, threshers, combined and adjustable harvesters, seed- and fertilizer machines, etc. is growing. However, the number of tractors registered in the district is comparatively small. According to Agricultural Statistics, in Jaffarabad there is only one tractor on every 607 hectares under cultivation, while the average for all area under cultivation in Balochistan is one tractor per 151 hectares. The number of privately owned tractors in the district is around 1000 according to the Excise and Taxation Officer of Jaffarabad, although there are only 326 registered ones according to the Agricultural Statistics. According to the statistics, Jaffarabad district has the largest number of threshers in the province (201, of which 194 are privately owned). The people are turning to agricultural mechanization because of the saving of time, manpower and labour.

The major agricultural input required is fertilizer. There are a number of fertilizers of various kinds in use at district level: Urea, Dye Ammonium Phosphatic (D.A.P.), Potassic, S.O.P., S.S.P and N.P.K. of which Urea and D.A.P. are used most. They are bought from the Agriculture Department or private sector. The supply of fertilizer is organized through middle men in the private sector. The use of chemical fertilizer within the district is widespread: 9,586 tons in 1995. The canal covered area requires a large amount of fertilizer.

Besides fertilizer, the major input for the horticultural sector is root stock, which is available at expensive rates from Punjab and Sindh, and smudging (shelter provision and smoke message for young plants) in winter. It is widely used for citrus, guava and mango plants. However, the owners are reluctant to procure such inputs, because of the expenses.

Marketing is in the hands of private enterprise. The involvement of government in marketing is still minor, its role is growing however. The Agricultural Marketing Regulation Act 1991 is in function since June 1996. Its aim is to reduce the middle man's role and strive for fixed commodities' prices, but the system is not fully operating. The role of the middle man is influential because of the little commercial and marketing knowledge the producers have. They think it convenient to sell crops to middle men or take it to Jacobabad and Sukkar, the two nearby big grain markets. The area has no market for cotton and sugar-cane.

The price control is also settled by middle men, known as "dalal" or commission agent. He is a professional in the art of settling prices between the growers and buyers. Their role however, is limited in Jaffarbad urban areas due to the existence of a Market Committee. Due to the non-availability of funds with the producers and their subsequent poor financial position in the last months of the growing season, the middle and lower class producers, having received loans from the commission agents, tend to sell their crops early to the middle men.

No statistics exist on the levels of income. In general there are three categories of landowners. Very rich, rich, and middle and lower class. The number of middle and lower class landowners is comparatively large. Their level of income is determined by the quantity and the yield from their land. The level of income from irrigated land is comparatively higher.

Based on the Agricultural Statistics of 1994 - 1995 the agricultural income can be calculated with reference to the average Quetta wholesale prices as is done in annexe 6. In average the annual income from agriculture of Rs. 4,100 per capita is above the average per capita agricultural income of Balochistan.

The Department of Agriculture at district level is headed by a Deputy Director, heading the whole divisional agricultural sector. There is one Extra-Assistant Director, three Agricultural Officers, 43 Field Assistants, and two Statistical Officers. The Pat Feeder Command area has its own staff.

The Agricultural Extension in Jaffarabad is headed by an Extra-Assistant or Assistant Director. The role of agricultural extension is increased as the excessive growth of rice has damaged the land, and replacement by other crops is badly needed, particularly cotton. There is a Deputy Director Research wing in Dera Allah Yar with Extra-Assistant Directors. The extension wing is under an Extra-Assistant Director.

Farmers in Jhatpat and Usta Mohahammad sub-divisions were inclined to grow sugarcane as a result of the agricultural extension. However, because of the absence of a sugar mill, the cultivationof sugarcane has been abandoned. It is assumed that, when a sugar mill would be operating in the district, farmers would shift to sugarcane instead of rice.

A sugar mill was planned, but when funds for the mill were released, the actual implementation was not completed. The pillars for the construction of the sugar mill were raised and can be seen few kilometers after D.M. Jamali city towards Dera Allah Yar.

The area is well irrigated through canal water. The Agricultural Department has two wings at Nasirabad and Jaffarabad for extension and for the Irrigation Project. There is also a research wing at an agricultural farm at Khan Pur near Usta Mohammad. The farm is to promote seed production.

There is a growing demand for agricultural extension in the area as land is ruined by excessive rice cultivation, but there is no market outlet for those crops that are proposed as an alternative, (sugarcane, cotton). Double cropping (i.e. rape seeds after rice) is becoming popular. The land is fertile for sugarcane and cotton. The horticulture can be promoted. Eighty percent of the area experiences double crops (rice and wheat rice and rape seeds) each year. The remaining 20 percent is single cropping of wheat or rice.

Comparatively, livestock is of little importance in Jaffarabad. Although the Livestock Unit density per sq. km. is among the highest in Balochistan, the ownership of Livestock Units per capita is far below the average of the whole of Balochistan. In economic terms the livestock sector may be about 12 % of the agricultural sector as drawn from annex 6.

Livestock data from the livestock censuses of 1976 and 1986 are only available in aggregated form for the whole of the former Nasirabad District. The most recent figures (1996) were taken for Nasirabad and Jaffarabad together. To arrive at a separate figure for Jaffarabad these totals were multiplied by 0.42.

The large ruminant sector provides a backbone to the villagers. They include cows / buffaloes. The use of buffaloes for dairy purpose is common in the command area of the irrigation canals where the availability of water is abundant. Cows are successfully raised in the area without fodder shortage. The area has potential for cattle farming. The "Bhaq Narri" (cow) is very popular. For the promotion of Narri breed, a cattle farm was established in Jaffarabad. The farm, known as Cattle Farm, is one of the best established farms in the country. It raises calves and distributes them among farmers at a price of Rs. 2,000 each. In the early days they were distributed for free. The oxen raised on the farm, are trained for ploughing.

The draught and transport units of livestock in the district include species like camels, horses, mules, and asses. Less use is made of cattle for draught and transport purpose in urban areas. The use of donkeys for fetching luggage and water is common in rural areas. The donkey cart is a common feature which is used for transportation of luggage and for riding.

People are fond of raising small ruminants, in particular sheep and goat. A famous kind is "Tadi". An average herd comprises seventy to hundred goats, not necessarily belonging to one household. According to the Livestock Department, the use of goat for dairy purposes is common in the rain fed area. In the command area people mostly keep cows instead of goats/sheep for dairy purposes.

The poultry sector in the district has been growing at the private sector level. There are around 40 poultry farms in the district. It is a source of income for the lower and middle class people. The poultry sector could further increase if the small & medium size farmers / cultivators are provided loans for raising poultry.

The growing of poultry in households is common in rural areas. One out of seven households in the district keeps poultry. Women are actively involved in this household poultry keeping. They look after the poultry and sell eggs / chickens in nearby markets or to middle men who deal in poultry.

Diseases in case of draught animals and large ruminants are mostly viral diseases (HS). There are two kinds of HS: Black water quarter and Anthra. Anthra is common in small ruminants. There are three kinds of parasitic diseases: liver flood, wire worm, and lung worm in large and small ruminants. Diseases like "Enterotximia", "caprice ploro phumenia", and "sheep pox" are common in small ruminants. The vaccination coverage of animals could be improved. The most common disease among poultry is "New Castle", a disease capable of killing of a large number of chickens. The attack is more likely on "farmi" (both broiler and layer) chickens than "Desi" (domestic). There is a separate Veterinary Officer for the disease control in the Dera Allah Yar, and Usta Mohammad. Mobile dispensaries are also operating.

There are a total of 23 veterinary dispensaries and three veterinary hospitals. A closer look reveals that 8 of them are not working due to lack of staff and absence of proper buildings. There are two Management Extension Officers for livestock in the district.

The Livestock Department at district level is under an Assistant Director in BPS 18. There are also three veterinary doctors in the Department: one for disease control, one for artificial insemination and one in charge of the hospital at Dera Allah Yar. The Deputy Director’s office is at D. M. Jamali.

Because of the livestock potential, NGOs and donor agencies have shown interest to support the promotion of the sector. The involved donor agencies are: International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD), and Balochistan Rural Support Programme (BRSP).

In the development of livestock in the canal command areas of Jaffarabad and Nasirabad the role of the Pat Feeder Canal Area Development Project looks promising and has been promoting livestock activities. The project earmarked a portion of funds for the livestock sectors including the delivery of extension for wide coverage to promote vaccines and disease treatments; raising of 19 dispensaries, livestock development for 150 villages, and establishment of women livestock auxiliaries. The project will extend the functioning of mobile camps.

The livestock potential in the district has not been explored. The area has potential for cattle farms. The "Zamindari Culture" (feudal / landlord-ship) exists but without a "livestock culture". The Livestock department complains of a shortage of funds. The dispensaries are in precarious conditions. Out of the 23, 8 are not working. Only two dispensaries are not mud-made (Kacha), without proper maintenance.

There is a lack of awareness amongst people for vaccination and preventive measurements.

The fishing potential in the district is limited. Fishing is possible only in Khirtar and Saim Shahk canal and its branches. According to the Fisheries Department the fishing is not easy as the current of the water is very fast. There is some potential for fishing through the development of fish ponds as some have already been developed.

There are four fish species found in the canal and fish ponds in Jaffarbad. According to the Fisheries Department, they belong to the group of fish found in hot area. They are "Rohu" (Labeo Rohita), "Morkhi" (Carrihina Mirgla), and Thella" (Catla). "Mali" (Wallago Attu) is found in canal area two. Their weight ranges from one to two kilo. They are found throughout the year.

No statistics are available on the quantity of fish caught every year. Fishing is prohibited from June 1 to August 31 each year because of the breeding season.

The techniques adopted are traditional. The fish is caught with hooks and nets in more stagnant water and mostly with hooks in the canal area. There are two kinds of netting, technically termed "Cost Nets" and "Gill Nets". They both are permitted during the catch season under license issued to the fishers by the Fisheries Departments in Dera Murad Jamali. Netting is not possible in the canal area because of the fast flowing water.

The fish caught is either sold in the bazaar or otherwise exported to areas in Balochistan and Sindh.

The Fisheries Department is headed by the Assistant Director at Dera Murad Jamali. Under him are fishery officers, watchmen and sub and assistant inspectors. There are only a few watchmen in Jaffarabad.

The area has little natural fishing potential because of the absence of rivers or large natural ponds. Fishing in the canals is difficult due to the strong current. Potential for fishing can be developed through the expansion of the number of fish ponds, as there is plenty of water. Existing ponds are a profitable business. However, small and medium landowners lack the resources to construct fish ponds. Two hectares are sufficient to generate a reasonable income.

1. Introduction

Although the district has large potential for social and natural forestry, the forest grown is very limited and neglected. Before the digging of the canals the area was a dry plain with huge bushy terrain. After the establishment of the irrigation schemes people are less inclined to grow forest. State forests are non-existing. Most trees are found along the road and canal side.

There is no commercial forestry from either government side or private enterprise. However, the area has potential for commercial forestry as it can grow bamboo, "Tali" Kikar and eucalyptus. The eucalyptus and kikar are already grown along the highway.

The major vegetation in the area, outside the agricultural area, is classified into forest area which comprises block plantation, canal side plantation, road side plantation and farm forestry. Tree species include Eucalyptus, Acacia, Dalbergia, Zizyphis, Albizzia, Azadricha, Sesbania spp: Alkagae Camalerum, Kikar (acadia Arabica), Kandi, Tamarix and Tali are rare. The growth of Meskat is common in the canal area that is affected by water logging and salinity.

Tree cutting / marketing / processing is in the hands of the private sector. According to Forestry Department sources, the government auctioning of forest trees is done through private contractors, specially in the case of widening of the canals. Illegal cutting is common in rural areas. It mostly includes small trees and bushes for household consumption and fuel.

The Department at the district level is under a Divisional Forest Officer at Dera Allah Yar. Under him are 3 range officers, 2 foresters, 20 forest guards, gardeners, watchmen and clerical staff. In addition, there are three game watchers. The Deputy Director Forestry resides at Dera Murad Jamali.

The wildlife in the area includes migratory and non-migratory species. The migratory birds include seasonal ducks and houbara bastards. In mustard seeds season, wild pigeons are common. The non-migratory birds include brown partridges. They were common in the area, but their number has reduced over the years. This is caused by excessive shooting, poaching, and netting by professional shooters / hunters. The netting and poaching of birds is common. Quails migrate in the beginning of winter till the end of summer. Ducks are common in marsh area around the canal command area. The three game watchers are responsible for the preservation of wild-life. However, wild-life is diminishing.

Bee-keeping is an uncommon feature in the district. Honey is secured from natural sources of honey hives. The area has potential for bee-keeping as there are plenty of vegetation and agricultural crops, but no interest is shown by landowners for bee-keeping.

The district has a potential for forestry because of the availability of water, fertile soils, and a conducive environment for the growth of social forestry. The potential for social forestry is ample but little interest is shown by the landowners. Under the USAID funded project for social forestry (1986 to 1994), incentives were given to the farmers for the cultivation of trees. The project provided trees at a cost of Rs. 1.25 per plant to the farmers/growers, but the overall development was below expectation.

The district has a limited forestry sector which is located along the highway and canal side. There is no forest / state forest. The landowners/lords are not interested in promotion of forest as private enterprise. The growth of "Meskat" is common in the waterlogged area near the canal. Tamarix and conocorus can be grown in waterlogged areas. The natural forest in the command area of the canal is reduced as the land is cultivated for rice and wheat. Trees and bushes are cut by people for fuel consumption. There is an illegal occupation of the forest area by landlords, which the Forest Department has failed to prevent.

The growth of the population, together with the widening of canals and their branches has eroded the natural forests and with it the possibilities for forestry.

In the district presently no mining activities can be observed due to lacking mineral resources.

The industrial sector in the district is not yet developed. The failed setup of an industrial estate in Nasirabad district had a negative impact on Jaffarabad. In 1986/87 an area of 40 hectares was reserved for an Industrial Estate at Dera Murad Jamali (Nasirabad). The area was divided into a total of 235 industrial plots of either 1000 m² or 1250 m² each; 48 units were issued a "No Objection Certificate" (NOC), but on only 5 units production was actually started (3 rice husks and 2 small industries for RCC pipes). On the other plots no activity has started, because of the lack of facilities provided to the owners and the lack of industrial culture and will among those who were issued NOCs.

There are two carpet making training centres: one at Usta Mohammad and one at Dera Allah Yar. Around 80 children work here to learn the art. The children are given monthly stipends from 250 to 400 Rs. Although there are embroidery centres at Rojan Jamali, Dera Allah Yar and Usta Mohammad, they are all out of production.

In addition Jaffarabad counts the following manufacturing units: 20 shellers and hullers, 15 flour mills, 8 ice factories, 8 oil expellers and 35 brick kilns.

The only item to be exported in bulk outside the district (and province) is rice. It is exported largely to the northern areas of Balochistan and Afghanistan. Wheat is exported only in small quantities outside the district.

The scope for tourism in the district is limited. There are hardly any picnic spots to be visited with the family. A possible place to visit may be Hairdin irrigation guest houses along the canal.

Historical spots include the Shoubat Khan mosque which is a piece of 19th century architecture. It has two minarets with a splendid building. Inside the mosque, calligraphic work may be seen. The tomb of the founder of the mosque: Shoubat Khan Gola (nearby) is also worth seeing. The town of Shoubatpur is a historical site, surrounded by a wall with two entrance gates.

The old "Haveeli" built by Mir Jaffar Khan Jamali, is a monument also worth visiting. The tomb of Shaki Jamali and others buried inside, is also a spot with historicalvalue, as are the ruins of Nasir Khan Jaba, a place where the lieutenant of Nasir Khan Noori lived. They are at 5 kilometers from the city of Dera Allah Yar.

Handicrafts include embroidery work, which has been traditionally designed by women. They are actively involved in the needlework and other crafts which includes mat and sheet designing, but not in great numbers.

The area has potential for agro-industry. It has the availability of cheap labour, land, road and railway links, gas and electricity. But most of the industrial units on the Nasirabad industrial estate, which were issued NOCs have not started functioning. Partly because of the lack of infra-structure facilities available to the owners of those plots, but partly also due to the lack of industrial culture and commitment of the owners of the plots to run industrial units. There are rich and influential landowners in the area, but they are not interested in starting any industry. The estate in Nasirabad was also meant to serve Jaffarabad.

More investigation is required into what actually is the reason for investors not starting agricultural processing or other types of industry. Cotton and sugar processing industry are options to be considered as farmers follow the advise of the agricultural extension. Similarly more investigation is needed to analyze the reasons why the embroidery centres do not function.

The leading market for Jaffarabad district is Jacobabad. Additional market places are Larkana, Shikarpur and Sukkar. From Dera Allah Yar to Jacobabad is a 20 minute journey in public transport.

In this district, major cities and towns are linked with one another by metalled roads. The district, smaller in length compared to other districts of Nasirabad division, has comparatively better roads, although some of them need repair. In particular the road from Dera Allah Yar to Shoubatpur and Hairdin needs reconstruction.

There is a total of 380 kilometres of metalled roads. Out of it 15 kilometres comes under National Highways, and the rest under the B&R or C&W. There are roads in cities or villages in short length built by the MPA funds or Local government bodies, but information on the actual length is not available. The best road is from Jhatpat to Usta Mohammad. Metalled or black top roads are 4 to 6 meters wide.

There is an Excise and Taxation Officer for the districts Nasirabad and Jaffarabad at Jaffarabad. The registration includes private and government vehicles. The number of registered vehicles in the district is larger than in all other districts in Nasirabad division.

There is no airport in the district. The Fokker PIA service from Jacobabad to Karachi and other cities caters to the needs of the area. There is a PIA service by Boeing aircraft from Sukkar to other parts of the country. It takes about 1.5 hours of road journey from Dera Allah Yar to Sukkar. At the Cattle Farm there is a landing pad for helicopters.

The TV broadcasts come through the TV booster in Shikarpur. No radio station or TV station exists in the district. However, the radio is seen as a major source of entertainment and information for the population of the district. TV sets are commonly indicated by the antennas even in remote villages where electricity reaches. There is a growing number of dish antennas, showing the number of houses where TV is watched. Even those from the lower and middle class in areas with electricity are eager to buy dish antennas. No records exist on the number of the TV sets in the district nor on the number of dish antennas, but it is generally observed that the number is growing rapidly. Showing satellite television programmes is also growing in restaurants. People sit for hours watching Indian TV and other programmes

There is a telephone sub-division for the two districts of Nasirabad and Jaffarabad at D.M. Jamali. For the micro system there are three micro repeaters with towers of 60 meters at D.M. Jamali, Belpat and Lindsay. The telephone system operating through VHF facilitates connection of manual exchanges (OTC) at Shoubatpur, Bhanwar/Sanrhi and other stations. Dera Allah Yar and Usta Mohammad are linked with a direct dialing system.

The postal service in Jaffarabad is relatively well developed. There are six sub-post offices with regular services at Dera Allah Yar, Usta Mohammad, Shoubatpur, Manjipur, Kandaka and Bhanwar-Shanri. The total number of extra-departmental branches is 21of which 10 are located in Dera Allah Yar and 11 in Usta Mohammad. The sub-post offices have license renewal facilities. Urgent Mail Service (UMS) and Courier service facilities are not available within Jaffarabad. Those in need of these services go to the Jacobabad.

There are 8 bank branches in the district. All are situated in Dera Allah Yar and Usta Mohammad. There are two branches of the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), one of Habib Bank, two of the United Bank Limited (UBL), one of the Municipal Commercial Bank, and 2 of Agricultural Development Bank of Pakistan (ADBP). The ADBP and NBP are government owned banks. The ADBP is designed for credit to farmers for agricultural purposes. The government transaction is done largely through the NBP.

Electricity in the district is transmitted from Giddu and sas from Sui. There are grids in Usta Mohammad (66 KV), Dera Murad Jamali (66 KV), and Rojhan Jamali (66 KV). There are two transformers in Jaffarabad of 6 MVA and 5 MVA. Electricity supply to some of the areas of the district is provided from the grid in Usta Mohammad which has the largest ampere capacity (500). A new grid at Jhall Magsi can provide electricity to some of the areas of Jaffarabad in future. The two districts of Nasirabad and Jaffarabad for the most part come under one Electricity Sub-Division at D.M.Jamali. The one at Usta Mohammad caters for Tamboo area in Nasirabad.

From January 1992 to November 1996, a total of 89 villages have been electrified by WAPDA in Jaffarabad district, which indicates that 76 percent of the inhabited area in Jaffarabad district is connected to electricity. However, as there is confusion on the definition of what a village is, statistics indicate an electrification rate varying from 14% to 76%. Considering the number of connections (see table below) related to the average household size of 7.1, not even 10% of the population has access to electricity

*Jhatpat old and Sohbatpur old feeders supply to areas in Nasirabad and Jaffarabad. The Usta Mohammad supplies power to both Jaffarabad and Nasirabad district. If a separate total of the connections within the district boundary is taken then in Jaffarabad the total account for 6,145 domestic and 473 commercial (estimate).

The gas supply in Jaffarabad district is mainly to Dera Allah Yar, Usta Mohammad, and Shoubatpur.

The B&R guest house at Dera Allah Yar is the best facilitated and properly furnished one. The one at Hairdin is good for adventure. There is also a rest house on the highway meant for Chinese working in the district. It is known as the China Camp. Those visiting the Dera Allah Yar city are better off at Jacobabad as a number of nice hotels are found there.

Because of the small size of the district, travelling through the district is not time consuming nor troublesome. Minibus and bus services are available from dawn to dusk. Travelling is less common in late night hours because of the law and order situation off the highways.

The lower and middle class people prefer railways as it is the cheapest means of transport particularly when travelling with luggage.

Gas is not supplied to every large village. Demand exists for the provision of gas in villages such as Kandaka, Bhanwar etc. The provision of gas, however, is not given priority.

Seventy six percent of the area of the district is connected to electricity, but the number of connections suggests that less than 10% of the population indeed have access to electricity.

People in rural areas fetch water mostly from the canal, its branches or from stored water nearby. There is only shortage of water during the period when the canal is closed for cleaning. This is done once a year for a period of 45 days. According to the Public Health Engineering Department, 70 percent of the urban area of the district is supplied with water for drinking and other purposes by communal tanks.

Fresh water for drinking purpose is available only to a limited part of the population of the district at D.A. Yar. As mentioned, the majority of the population in the district rely on canal or stored water. The quality of the water is brackish. It contains clay and silt particles. There are raw water tanks in rural areas The water tanks capacity vary according to the size of the population. A tank is designed to provide 45 liters per day per person. The water is not potable. Filter units exist for cleaning of tank water in Mir Wah, Mango Suri and D.M. Jamali. A system of two tanks is introduced. In the first water is stored and detained to settle the solid waste down. The second is utilized to make water free of bacteria.

The Water Supply Administration comprises two Sub Divisional Officers (at Dera Allah Yar and Usta Muhammad). They serve under the Executive Engineer for Jaffarabad at Dera Allah Yar. Under the SDO at Dera Allah Yar are three sub engineers, under the one at Usta there are two. Besides the sub-engineers, there are operators, helpers, valvemen and clerical staff. The SDO office is responsible for the supply of drinking water in the district.

The is no ground water sub-sector in the district. All water used is surface water. The tube well system exists but at a limited level. There are a number of hand pumps with a depth of 7 to 9 meters in the area with water logging. The water fetched with the use of the hand pumps is generally sour.

Sanitation does not come under the PHE. The sanitation remains a problem at district level.

As mentioned in 7.1.2, the Public Health Engineering Department comes under the Executive Engineer, Jaffarabad at Dera Allah Yar. He is accountable for both districts. Under him are two SDOs at the district level. The Executive Engineer’s office comprises an accountant, a headman, a tracer etc.

The PHE Department does not have full jurisdiction and authority over sanitation. The district is depending on canal water for irrigation and drinking water purpose. The tube well system does exists, but at a limited level. The district population does not face lack of water, however, the availability of water becomes an issue during the period when the canal is dry for cleaning purposes. The availability of clean water is another problem. According to PHE sources, 25 percent of the population is being provided with clean water. The filtering system of water in the district through water tanks is inadequate. The cleaning of water is becoming an issue with the expansion of population.

The sewerage system is not satisfactory and lacks modern methods. The PHE sources believe the remedy for this to be in the construction of a new system for sewerage. Because of the growing population, the storage capacity of water during the period when water is stopped in the canal is insufficient.

Some general (statistical) information about the health situation in the district:

The private clinics mentioned in the above table are run by MBBS and diploma holders. They are mostly in Dera Allah Yar, Shobatpur and Usta Mohammad.

See annex 7 for an overview of all health staff in the district.

The population of the district is depending largely on the government run hospital, dispensaries, BHU etc. for free medical service. The medical resources in the district are inadequate for rural areas. There are two hospitals: one in Dera Allah Yar and one at Usta Mohammad. The hospitals provide partial services of a modern hospitals with limited lab tests, X rays etc. The hospitals have vacancies for specialists and medical officers. The hospital capacity is not geared to the needs of the population.

The district has a number of private practitioners serving in Dera Allah Yar and Usta Mohammad. They hold MBBS degrees from Sindh. Those looking for medical aid find them helpful. The charges are quite reasonable. The complicated cases are referred to Sukkar and Larkana. The people travel to Jacobabad and Shikarpur for better medical aid.

The major disease incidences in the district are malaria, typhoid, diarrhoea, gastro-enteritis, tuberculosis, and hepatitis. According to the medical history and hospital reports, the major factors responsible for incidence of these diseases are the lack of literacy and poor family hygienic conditions. Because of the lack of female literacy, there are adverse effects on family hygiene, nutrition, health, family size and education of children. The people are unaware of or less inclined to follow the concept of family planning.

The diarrhoea leads to a high rate of infant mortality each year. Attack of malaria are very common in the district, even in winter cases of malaria are reported in the hospital. The preventive measures against malaria, hepatitis and diarrhoea are negligible.

The occurrence of gastro-enteritis and hepatitis is due to the unclean and impure water people generally use. The population in rural areas depend on ponds / stored water which is not properly cleaned. They also depend on canal water for drinking purposes, which contains impurities, particularly during flood times.

Malnutrition and a lack of a proper diet bottleneck for the treatment of tuberculosis patients.

There are no special health services in the district.

The district health administration comes under the District Health Officer. The DHO office comes under the Director of Health in Dera Murad Jamali. The hospitals at Dera Allah Yar and Usta Mohammad come under the Medical Superintendent who is responsible for the functioning of staff at the hospital.

The health sector in the district needs to be further developed. Both hospitals at the district level lack proper medical care and arrangements. The services are not satisfactory. The dispensaries and BHUs outside the headquarters are faced with a lack of staff. The rate of diseases common in the area has increased over the past years because of the population growth and inadequate medical services. Especially women suffer from the lack of female doctors and trained nurses. Specific woman health issues are strongly neglected.

The people are turning to "Hakim" and other traditional healers for common and complicated diseases such as hypertension, tuberculosis, malaria, impotency and childless-ness, and diarrhoea. The Hakims are traditionally educated without any advanced degree in medicine. There are few homeopath doctors in the area. In rural areas, persons with basis qualifications of dispenser and medical technician are running their practices to whom people turn when in need of acute medical assistance.

In the table below the enrolment figures for the 4 types of schooling are given. Primary School is from 1^st to 5^th class. A Middle School starts from 5^th up to 8^th class, while a High School runs from 9^th to 10^th class.

In the district school system the absolute majority of the schools are government run schools. They come under the direct supervision of the District Education Officer. There is one male and one female DEO. The female district education officer takes care of the districts of Nasirabad and Jaffarabad. There are three categories of government run schools: Primary, Middle, and High Schools. There used to be Mosque schools in the district but they were merged into government schools in 1993. A Head Master or Head Mistress is at the head of the High and Middle schools. A primary school is run by one or two teachers.

A primary school comprises two rooms. The majority of them, including the female schools, have boundary walls. They are government owned or donated by the MPA. The total number of Primary schools for boys is 523, catering for 24,895 students. The Primary schools for girls totals 142 with 10,165 students.

There is no vocational school in the district. There is one vocational training centre for labour at D.M.Jamali, serving the whole division. It comes under the Labour Department.

A middle school comprises four classes, from 5th to 8th. There are 30 Middle schools for boys with 6,363 students. All Middle schools are government owned. Almost all Middle school buildings have boundary walls. Those without boundary walls have requested them.

There are a total of 5 Middle schools for girls with 986 students enrolled. A Middle School (if separate) is headed by a head mistress or head master.

There are a total of 19 High schools for boys and 4 for girls. The total number of students in the boys High schools are 2,610 (of which 40 are girls). The number of female students is 300. An increase in the number of schools for girls can lead to growing number of female students.

There is one intermediate college at Dera Allah Yar for girls. The college is newly established and operating in a private building. The number of students is around 35. The boys’ degree college at Usta Muhammad was established in 1972. It has a total of 600 students.

The school administration comes under a headmaster or head mistress. A head master is supported by a number of teachers, drawing masters, science teacher, clerk etc. The number and variety of staff may vary from school to school.

The school buildings (except private schools) belong to the government of Balochistan. The primary school building may be donated by MPA funds, but still become the property of Balochistan government. There is little consistency in construction and style of school buildings, though all are made of red bricks. The majority of them lack playing grounds, boundary walls (primary schools), and latrine facilities.

The education sector in the district is faced with a number of development issues. The number of middle and high schools for girls are inadequate. The number of drop outs from primary to middle schools is caused by poverty and social unawareness of the parents. This is particularly through in the case of girls. The drop out rate decreased after the government & NGOs started distributing books and cooking oil (for those regularly attending classes).

The schools are lacking qualified teachers, in particular science teachers. There is only a very limited number of math teachers. It was observed that JV teachers are running High school classes.

The Intermediate College for girls is faced with the issue of non-availability of a permanent building. It now is only temporarily open in a private 4 room building.

The trends of cheating in secondary and middle examinations have increased. The DEO have agreed upon that there is a growing amount of cheating and unfair means in Matric examination. The attendance is not very high in rural areas. This is the reason for the low standard of education in the district.

Two games: cricket and football are common among the youngsters. The interest in cricket has grown amongst youth. The cricket team of Rojhan Jamali is the best in the district. There are two regular grounds, one in Dera Allah Yar and one in Usta Mohammad. The one in the college at Usta Mohammad is utilized for sports. The grounds lack grass and are dusty during play.

The traditional games like wrestling and horse-racing may be observed in rural areas. Playing snooker is common in few shops at Dera Allah Yar and Usta Mohammad.

The Sports Officer resides at D.M. Jamali in the Commissioner's Office. He is responsible for the sports activities of the whole division, but is without funds and active support. An officer club exists in Dera Allah Yar and one at Usta Mohammad. It has tennis, squash, and badminton facilities. There are sporting facilities at the Irrigation colony at Usta Mohammad. The rights of admissions, however, are reserved and restricted.