• Agriculture / Horticulture
• Livestock
• Fisheries
• Forestry
• Mining
• Industry & Manufacturing

• Water Supply
• Health
• Education
• Sports

After outbreak of the Afghan war in 1878, Zhob became a focus of the British attention when the Kakars of Zhob under the command of various sardars – the most important being Shah Jahan, Shahbaz Khan, Dost Muhammad and Bangul Khan – resisted the British authority and tried to destroy the communications. In October 1884, an expedition was sent into Zhob area to seek submission from the local dissidents. After various encounters with the Kakars of Zhob the British occupied the territory and Zhob was declared a political agency in 1890. Captain MacIver was appointed first Political Agent to Zhob. However, tribesmen of Zhob always posed difficulties for the British government. In 1924, the British Political Agent to Zhob was murdered by tribesmen and during World Wars I and II military posts in the area were under continuos threat of attacks by the tribesmen.

Killa Saifullah has been home of the Jogizai family. After the submission of Shah Jahan, the Badshah of Zhob, to the British in 1888 at Gwal Haiderzai, Killa Saifullah area was annexed to Muslim Bagh (then Hindu Bagh) tehsil – established in 1890 – but later it was declared a sub-tehsil in 1893 and a tehsil in 1903. Muslim Bagh (formerly called Hindu Bagh) is believed to be named after a garden planted by a Hindu saint.

The district has some archaeological sites mainly attributed to the Mughals. The ruins of an old fort called Mughalo Killa or "the fort of the Mughals" were found to the west of the Karezgai village, about 3¼ kilometres from Muslim Bagh, below which there is a spring of water which was reopened about 125 years ago. Fragments of ancient pottery were found in these ruins and it is said that old silver and copper coins were also found. The ruins of a fort called Khanki lie near Shina Khura about 25 kilometres east of Muslim Bagh. Local tradition asserts that the fort was held by Miro, a Mughal governor, who was miraculously overthrown by Sanzar Nika, the progenitor of the Sanzarkhel Kakars. There are also ruins of an old fort called the Mughalo Brunj in Murgha Faqirzai. Similar ruins occur near Toiwar, Sharan, Ismailzai and on the Zhar hill near Akhtarzai. There also exist ancient karezes, said to have been made in Mughal times, which may be considered as relics of archaeological interest. These include Karez Akhtarzai, Karez Soghai and Mustafa Karez in Killa Saifullah sub-division and 2 karezes in Sra Khulla, about 6½ kilometres from Muslim Bagh.

The entire Killa Saifullah district remained a part of Zhob district as Upper Zhob sub-division up to 14^th December 1988. However, Badinai, sub-tehsil of Killa Saifullah district, was previously included in Kakar Khurasan as sub-division of Zhob with the name Kashatoo. About two years ago it was transferred to Killa Saifullah district. At present, Killa Saifullah district comprises Killa Saifullah sub-division – including Killa Saifullah tehsil and Badinai sub-tehsil – and Muslim Bagh sub-division – including Muslim Bagh tehsil and Loiband sub-tehsil. Kan Mehterzai is a monumental place in the district where Asia’s highest railway station is located.

The Divisional Forest Officer has estimated that about one third of the total geographical area is under permanent pasture as range land. This gives a sufficient grazing capacity (0.9 Ha./LU) for livestock development.

The hills of the district belong mainly to the Toba Kákar range. In Killa Saifullah sub-division, the principal ranges are the Torghar [Shagána Kotal (2,070 m), Azak (2,557 m), Baliaraghar (2,958 m)]; Spínghar which separates the Khaisor valley from the Zhob valley [Shina-ghára (2,646 m), Shorghar, Spínghar (2,936 m), Yavháshki (2,964 m)]; and the southern hills [Churmaghar (2,113 m)]. The principal hills of Muslim Bagh sub-division include Kand (3,288 m) in the extreme west, which in the north is known as Barsha or Nigánd (2,877 m); Súrghund (3,234 m) in the south-western corner; Marzaghán [Atoka (3,007 m)] in the south; Malkand and Sraghar in the north; the Torghar (2,958 m); Yavháshki (2,964 m) on the western spur of the Spínghar range; Thor (2,827 m), Súrghundi (2,528 m), Sharan (2,608 m) and Sakír (3,086 m).

The main drainage of Killa Saifullah district is carried off from west to east by the Zhob river and several of its tributaries. The Zhob river in its upper reaches, is known as Lahar. The northern slopes of the Torghar range are drained by the Kundar, Wali Murgha and a number of hill torrents which traverse the northern portion of the sub-division. In Killa Saifullah sub-division, the principal tributary is the Toi. In Muslim Bagh sub-division, its principal tributaries are the Kamchughai and Rod Faqirzai from the north and Marzaghan from the south.

The greater part of the district is covered with hills and rocks, intersected on the south by the Zhob valley. The valley is an immense stretch of alluvial plain extending from Kan Mehterzai pass onward to the Gomal river in the form of a crescent. The boundary between Quetta valley and Zhob valley is the dividing line between the Continental Watershed and the Central Asian watershed at Kan Mehterzai pass. The rivers in Quetta valley drain into Central Asian watershed. Zhob river drains into the Indus via Gomal river. Numerous small valleys run up from either side of the great Zhob valley into the hills. Among these hills Sharan and Khaisoro valleys are situated. A considerable part of the soil in these valleys consist of virgin land. Pasture lands are frequently found almost everywhere in the district. Killa Saifullah is at an elevation of 1,550 meter above sea level (masl), Muslim Bagh at 1,795 masl and Kan Mehterzai at 2,170 masl.

The mean annual rainfall ranges between 125 and 500 mm, most of which comes in winter from the western depressions. A considerable part of winter precipitation comes as snowfall. The rainfall is less than potential evapotranspiration, hence, the area is semi-arid. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the total annual precipitation in 1995 was 279.1 mm at Zhob. By the extent of vegetation in Killa Saifullah it can be assumed that the level of precipitation here is more than that in Zhob.

To date no meteorological station has ever been established in the district by the Pakistan Meteorological Department. Zhob is the neighbouring district of Killa Saifullah and has almost similar geographic characteristics, therefore, data from Zhob station have been given here just to have an idea of the situation. In 1993, the total annual rainfall in Zhob district was 217.3 mm which increased to 392.1 mm in 1994 and again decreased to 279.1 mm in 1995. On the basis of geographical assimilation, it may be assumed that Killa Saifullah does have approximately equivalent rainfall levels. Winter rainfall provides water for Rabi crops, i.e., wheat, barley and cumin.

According to the Atlas of Pakistan, soil in Killa Saifullah district is of two types. Alongside the Muslim Bagh-Killa Saifullah road, soil is mainly loamy, part gravely valley-fill with some rock outcrops and some sand dunes (Camborthids and some Lithic Camborthids). Soil in all the remaining area of the district is made of rock outcrops and is loamy, very shallow steep high mountain soils of mainly arid and semi-arid zone (rock outcrops and Lithic Camborthids).

In Killa Saifullah sub-division, six kinds of soil are known: pakha, which is the best, is composed of rich clay; atana, also called as matana, which comes next and answers to the mat in other parts of Balochistan, i.e., a soil made by silt deposits; sagana, a sandy loam which requires frequent watering; sharamugh, a soil of saline composition; klaka, a hard soil; and ragha containing gravel and shingle, these last two are inferior and not ordinarily fit for cultivation. Pakha is found in Ismailzai, Ghorizai and Haiderzai; the atana in Pasenzai, Akhtarzai, Alozai and Alikhel; the sagana in Batozai, Sibzai, Ghibzai, Zarkae and in Mirzai and Shadozai vialas which contain also the sharamagh; the klaka is found north of the Lora and the ragha in Saghra and towards the Pitao hill.

The Muslim Bagh sub-division has three kinds of soil called pakha-spina, reti or sagna and dabarlana or zhaghlana. The pakha-spina, as the name implies, is a rich white loam found in the Muslim Bagh circle at Urgasa, Karez gae and Loe Karez; at Kazha and Shina Khura in Kazha circle; in the Khurasan circle, mostly in uncultivated tracts; in Murgha Mehterzai circle, at Murgha and Kan Mehterzai; and in the Babu China circle at Babu China, Murgha Faqirzai and Zhar Ghezh. The reti is a sand soil suitable for ghost (millet) crop and is found in Kam Karez in the Muslim Bagh circle and at Shina Khura in Kazha. The dabarlana is an inferior stony soil containing gravel and is found mostly in the Babu China circle, also at Rod Kamchughai in Murgha Mehterzai. It does not ordinarily give crop yields without manure.

The Directorate of Mineral Development has reported that presently chromite and magnesite are being mined in Killa Saifullah district while prospecting licenses have been issued for mining of asbestos, gabro and granite. The Directorate has also indicated deposits of soapstone and limestone and occurrence of calcite, manganese and coal.

1.6 Vegetation

According to the Divisional Forest Officer, natural vegetation in the district includes showan (olivea cusedata), shung (wild ash), ghaz (tamarix galica), willow, crysopogan, sympogan and various grasses. Among the trees and plants which can survive the climatic conditions of Killa Saifullah district, remarkable species are lachi (Euclyptus), sufaida (popular), toot (mulbery), bakain, more pankhi, Quetta pines and suroo. About one third of the total geographical area of Killa Saifullah district is estimated to be range land.

The majority of the population uses fuel wood for cooking and heating while dung cakes are also used as an energy source for cooking. Kerosene lamps are used for lighting by about half of the population and the remainder of the population uses electricity for lighting purposes. Provision of electricity has eased operation of tubewells, however, some tubewells are still operated by diesel engines. In Killa Saifullah district, 29 villages have been supplied electricity up to February 1997. Up to mid 1996, electricity was provided to 4,572 consumers out of which 3,413 were domestic connections, 397 commercial and 762 connections were given for running tubewells. Most of the fuel wood is collected from woodlands in the district. The fuel wood is sold at a rate of rupees 80 for 40 kilograms.

Killa Saifullah does not have access to gas through pipelines; however liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is available in cylinders for cooking. The Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) has allotted its agencies in the district but the sole agency in Killa Saifullah town remains closed. In Muslim Bagh, there are 3 SSGC agencies. One cylinder of 10-11 kg of LPG costs rupees 310. LPG is also available through refilling in smaller cylinders of 2½ kg for 75 rupees. These agencies of SSGC cumulatively sell about 2,000 cylinders per month.

Killa Saifullah district, for the most part, comprises small towns where civic facilities are nothing but a dream. Garbage and sewerage water can be seen on the streets and dirt is a common characteristic of human settlements in the district. Despite its low population density, the district faces problem of solid waste disposal in the towns. People throw their domestic garbage just outside their houses in the streets and drainage in most cases is not channelled. The Union Councils, specially of Killa Saifullah and Muslim Bagh, seem helpless in this regard. To date, noise pollution is not a problem and the main environmental threat is grey (solid waste) pollution which not only contaminates the air but also the drinking water. It poses a serious threat to the health of the inhabitants.

The total geographical area of the district is not known. The available data seem highly inconsistent as the cultivated land must be greater than that given in the official statistics. Average annual rainfall ranges between 125-500 mm, therefore the district is semi-arid. Climate is normally temperate in Killa Saifullah. To have accurate data on climate, a meteorological station should be established in the district. At present the only environmental threat to the district is caused by lack of sanitation.

Fuel wood and dung cakes are used as sources of energy for cooking. Electricity is available to about half of the population. A few minerals are being exploited in the district while occurrence of others has been indicated.

From an overview of the district resources it might be concluded that there is much potential for agricultural development if efforts are directed towards provision of technical inputs and electricity for operation of tubewells. Irrigation water is not a problem as underground water can be exploited for this purpose as long as a balance is maintained between discharge and recharge of water. There is a need for development of irrigation as well as water supply schemes and availability of agricultural inputs – like fertilisers, seeds and pesticides – on affordable prices.

Since independence, four population censuses have been conducted: in 1951, 1961, 1972 and 1981. The new census was due in 1991 but due to political forces it could not be executed. The data provided by previous censuses do not present a consistent trend. The Planning Commission indicated under-enumeration of population in the 1961 census by 7.5 percent. Usually male enumerators are assigned to interview the respondents, male members of the household in most cases. This may give rise to the issue of invisibility of females in the census data, specially in the productive sector. Female family members are usually less reported due to a social desirability factor (preference for male children). Female participation in the productive sector is also ignored. The enumerators of the census, as well as the supervisory officials, were government employees working according to fixed routines, whilst not being very careful about the validity of the data. Supervision has also been ineffective and manipulation of the census data has been a common practice. Keeping in view all the facts, reliability of all these censuses can be questioned.

The population growth rates for the area of Killa Saifullah district have been inconsistent right from the initial censuses. During the inter-censal period 1951-61 a reasonable growth pattern (2.7%) has been observed while in the next 11 years (1961-72) this rate increased to 6.3 percent. The population growth rate during 1972-81 has been 8.2 percent which indicates an over-enumeration of population. In 1981, the population of Killa Saifullah district – excluding Badinai sub-tehsil – which was eligible to vote constituted 36.3 percent of the total population while in 1997 it is 42.4 percent. It indicates gross discrepancies in population enumeration. On the other hand, the recent rate of growth (3.1%), which has been calculated on the basis of projections of population for 1995, made by NIPS, is absolutely consistent with that of the Pakistan (3.1%). In 1981, total fertility rate in the entire Zhob district – of which Killa Saifullah district was a part – was 8.2. It explains, to some extent, the high growth rate for the district during the inter-censal period 1972-1981 but the highly fluctuating growth trend cannot completely be explained until NIPS assumptions for population projections and other vital population statistics are known. Unfortunately no census has been carried out after the inception of Killa Saifullah district, hence, it is very difficult to comment about population growth trends in the district.

As the detailed population figures are not available for Badinai sub-tehsil, it is not possible to comment on the whole district. In the area comprising Muslim Bagh sub-division and Killa Saifullah tehsil, about one third (36.3%) of the total population was eligible to vote (21 years of age and above) while adult population (18 years of age and above) was 42.3 percent. Women of the child bearing age (15-49 years) were 17.8 percent of the total population. Amongst the population of 15 years and above, two third (66.6%) were married, 30.1 percent never married and 3.3 percent were widowers. Divorcee were in negligible numbers (22 only), indicating a highly negative attitude of the people towards divorce.

According to the 1981 census, the average household size in the areas comprising Muslim Bagh sub-division and Killa Saifullah tehsil was 8.5.

These calculations excludes the population of Badinai sub-tehsil as no detailed figures are available for Badinai. According to the 1981 census, majority (51.7%) of the population is dependent, either below the age of 15 or 65 years of age and above. The child dependency (ratio of people under age 15 to those ages 15-64) is 112.6 percent while the old-age dependency (ratio of people age 65 or older to those ages 15-64) is 5.4 percent. An overall age dependency of 118.0 percent is a significant burden on the, ideally, earning population. This situation increases the economic pressure for the families which may result in child labour and malnutrition of both women and children; the most neglected strata of the society.

The definition of "urban area" has been changing in the various censuses. In 1972, urban areas included Municipal Corporations, Municipal Committees, Cantonment Boards and Town Committees. Other places having a concentrated population of at least 5,000 persons, where the community sense was well developed and the community maintained public utilities, such as roads, street lighting, water supply, sanitary arrangements, etc., were also treated as urban areas. These places were generally centres of trade and commerce with a population being mostly non-agricultural and having a comparatively higher literacy rate. As a special case, a few areas having the mentioned urban characteristics but with a population less than 5,000 persons were also treated as urban. The 1981 census defined the urban locality on the basis of type of local government institutions. All the localities which were either Metropolitan Corporation, Municipal Corporation, Municipal Committee, Town Committee or cantonment at the time of census, were treated as urban. The definition of urban areas in 1961 census is not given in the census reports. This variation and non-availability of the definition of urban area for some censuses has made comparative analysis difficult.

According to 1981 census, not a single locality in Killa Saifullah district was designated as urban. However, the towns of Killa Saifullah and Muslim Bagh were designated as urban localities in 1961 and 1972 censuses. The highest urban population ratio can be observed at the time of 1961 census (7.3%) which decreased to 4.7 percent in 1972. This unprecedented change in proportion of urban population can only be explained in terms of changing definition.

In Killa Saifullah, most of the human settlements are located alongside the Quetta-Zhob highway. Although no locality has an official urban status, the towns of Killa Saifullah and Muslim Bagh may be called the only urban areas in the district. Other important localities include Babu China, Kan Mehterzai, Ghut Teza, Ragha Bakalzai, Kazha, Datobah, Rod Jogizai, Tubli, Tanishpah, Ghorizai, Alikhel, Badinai and Kashatoo. In 1981, there were 166 inhabited mauzas/villages. The population of 4 individual mauzas was above 5,000 while 132 had a population less than 1,000. See chapter 7.3 for the spatial distribution of schools all over the district.

The Pushtuns constitute an overwhelming proportion of the population in the district while the remaining include Punjabis, Balochs, Brahvis, Sindhis, Hindko, Saraiki and others. Pushto is spoken in 98.9 percent of the households in the district. Most of the Pushtun population belongs to the Kakar tribe. Kakars living in Killa Saifullah district are divided into two major sub-tribes: Sanzarkhels and Santia. The major branches of Sanzarkhel Kakars in the district include Jogizai, Rahatzai, Sargarhi, Mehterzai, Jalalzai, Musazai, Malaizai, Mardanzai, Akhtarzai, Faqirzai and Allozai while the major branches of Santia Kakars include Mehterzai, Sultanzai, Mullazai and Bakalzai.

The majority of the population is permanently residing in villages. However, nomadic type of intra and inter district migration is practised to some extent in Killa Saifullah. It may also be called seasonal migration as the livestock farming communities of the district migrate to warmer areas in winter. Presently no data are available on the extent of migration in Killa Saifullah district.

After political disturbance in Afghanistan, millions of Afghans migrated to various border areas of Pakistan. Although these migrants were given the status of refugees, they, after some period of time, left their camps and spread all over the country. At present no statistics are available about these immigrants. A camp of Afghan refugees was established in Killa Saifullah district near Nasai village. Their unaccounted presence all over the country, and specifically in Balochistan, is one of the major reasons for postponement of the census scheduled in 1991. It is assumed that their presence in Balochistan will artificially increase the population of a specific ethnic group, hence, converting the others into minorities.

There is no data available for Killa Saifullah district as far as labour force is concerned. However, figures for Zhob district – of which the entire Killa Saifullah district was a part –in 1981 may give some idea about labour force in Killa Saifullah district. In 1981, the civilian labour force (working and looking for work) constituted 28.1 percent of the population in Zhob district. More than half (51.1%) of the male population and a small percentage (1.3%) of the females participated in the labour force. The urban and rural labour force participation rates were 17.8 and 29.1 percent respectively. The major economic activity "Agriculture, Forestry, Hunting and Fishing" was mentioned by a significant majority (77.4%) of the working population. Agriculture and livestock raising are the main economic activities in which most of the labour is self-employed however tenants are also occasionally hired. Livestock farming is the second important sector in terms of labour force involvement, followed by government and social services. The majority of the labour force in the district is local and migrant labour is minimal.

The visible labour force in the district consists of males only. Women are rarely involved (or mentioned) in productive sectors like agriculture and livestock farming. Handicrafts are the major productive domain of women in Killa Saifullah district. As part of their domestic activities they also fetch water for household needs.

The main reason behind the invisibility of female labour force is the socio-cultural milieu of the district. Women are not allowed to move around outside their homes. Purdah is practised by most of the females; however the veil here means just a big chaddar (piece of cloth) covering the women from head to toe. Urbanisation is very slow in the area thus the consequent socio-cultural change, allowing and sometimes necessitating the women’s active participation in the labour force, is also slow. Nonetheless women’s household work itself comprises multiple activities, which keeps them busy all day long.

At present no isolated data are available regarding housing in Killa Saifullah district. According to the 1981 census, the total number of households in the area of Muslim Bagh sub-division and Killa Saifullah tehsil was 16,234 with an average household size of 8.5. It was observed that most of the people live in single-room houses, made of mud. Construction of boundary walls is not considered necessary in mountainous areas.

No data is available on tenure of houses however, a few old buildings can be seen in Killa Saifullah and Muslim Bagh which are stated to be about 70-80 years old. Almost all of the houses are occupied by the owners while only a few shops have been rented out in Killa Saifullah and Muslim Bagh towns.

Almost all houses, except the houses of tribal chiefs and the well-to-do businessmen, are built with mud or with mud and stone. While in the valleys people are using mostly mud for construction, mud and stones are used in mountain areas. It is well known that mud houses give more effective protection against the extremes of weather. Roofs are constructed with wooden beams crossed by wood and covered with bushes or reed mats plastered with mud. Iron girders are also used for roof construction in Killa Saifullah and Muslim Bagh towns. Recently, corrugated iron sheets are also gaining some popularity for roof construction. Baked bricks and cement constructions are uncommon in private houses. The new government buildings are made with baked bricks and cement. The old government buildings are constructed either with mud or stone bricks.

Kerosene lamps are used in most of the houses as source of light. Electricity is available in 29 villages of the district. In these villages electric appliances are used for light and rarely for cooking. In Killa Saifullah, a total of 4,572 electric supply connections were given up to February 1997, out of which 3,413 were domestic connections. Keeping in view the number of households (16,234 in 1981) in the district, electricity supply coverage seems quite insufficient. Very few people have electric generators for their own use.

Wood and dung cakes are the main fuel for cooking. Liquid petroleum gas is available in cylinders only and is mainly used for cooking. At present about 2,000 cylinders, each containing 11 kg of LPG, are being consumed per month in the whole district. Fuel wood is collected by both men and women. Women prepare dung cakes from animals manure. Some people make a living of collecting fuel wood from woodlands and selling it in towns.

In the absence of any isolated data on housing characteristics in Killa Saifullah district, it is difficult to give an accurate account of housing in the district. However, according to observation most of the houses in Killa Saifullah and Muslim Bagh towns have a separate kitchen and bathroom while these facilities are a rarity in the other areas. Latrines are not available in most of the houses and flush system latrines are a rare exemption. Most of the houses are single-room units and many people do not have boundary walls outside their houses.

Most of the people obtain drinking water from tubewells, open surface wells and springs. The Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) has completed 52 water supply schemes till June 1997, out of which 48 are functional providing drinking water to 32.4 percent of the population. In a few water supply schemes, drinking water is supplied to the houses through pipelines, while in others community tanks have been constructed at relatively central places from where people fetch water. In case the source of drinking water is not located inside the house, usually it is the duty of the women or children to fetch water for household needs. The Water and Sanitation Section of the Local Government and Rural Development Department (LG&RDD) has recently completed a project in collaboration with UNICEF which covered the installation of 160 deep well hand pumps for drinking water throughout the district.

Most of the houses in Killa Saifullah and Muslim Bagh towns have dry latrines while only a few houses have latrines with flush system. There is no sewerage system, therefore drainage water is often collected in the streets. The Union Councils of Killa Saifullah and Muslim Bagh have arrangements for collection and disposal of household garbage but these arrangements are limited to the town areas only and are inadequate.

The population in Killa Saifullah district is predominantly Pushtun. The population growth rate is estimated at 3.1 percent. The population density is 20.1 people per square kilometre. The average household size in Killa Saifullah was 8.5 in 1981 and more than half of its population is dependent. Highly inconsistent population growth trends indicate unreliability of census data. There is an immense need for a more carefully executed census. The under-enumeration of women, specially of female children, and cultural norms, which result in their invisibility in all walks of life, should be kept in mind while making policies and devising strategies.

The entire population resides in rural areas and is deprived of most of the essential facilities. The provision of safe drinking water, solid waste disposal, feeder roads and electricity supply are some of the basic prerequisites for development of the area. Usually women and children fetch drinking water from community sources and collect fuel wood.

The major economic activity is agriculture, followed by livestock farming, construction and mining. Women are not so involved in formal sector employment. However they are allied workers in agriculture and livestock farming. They also produce very skilled handicrafts, but most of the labour input of women is unacknowledged. Because of the artificial distinction between productive and reproductive work, women’s labour is invisible in the official statistics.

The society in Killa Saifullah district is tribal, based upon the kinship system. Once the nawabs and sardars had great influence over the people but with the passage of time this influence has decreased gradually. However, the sardar families, specially of Jogizais, still enjoy somewhat superior status due to their economic affluence.

The area is said to be the cradle of Afghans, therefore the majority of the people draws their normative structure from the Pushtun culture. Although educational expansion and media exposure has introduced some changes in the society, the majority of the population is still following centuries old traditions. The custom of vulvar (bride price), generation-after-generation rivalries, hospitality and keeping fire arms are still prevalent in Killa Saifullah.

Joint and extended families are common in the district. Male siblings reside under one household even after their marriage. Although media have much propagated the blessings of the nuclear family system, socio-cultural norms and economic compromises restrain the people from adopting such a type of family system. The care of old-aged parents is considered the duty of the children and living together in a big family is considered good from an economic as well as a defensive point of view. However, a few nuclear families are found in the towns of Killa Saifullah and Muslim Bagh. Although polygamy is not a taboo – as Islam has allowed 4 wives at a time – the common practice is of monogamy, also due to incapability of most of the people to pay vulvar for their second marriage. Most of the families are patriarchal. In Killa Saifullah district, the family is a major source of an individual’s identification along with his or her sub-lineage.

Every young-man is considered to get married as soon as he crosses the puberty line but sometimes he has to wait for many years to get married if he does not have vulvar money. Although it is not the sole responsibility of the groom to arrange for vulvar, he is the victim if his family is unable to collect the amount. The amount of vulvar is decided by mutual discussion of the fathers of the bride and the groom, keeping in view the family background of the bride and her physical attraction. It is the father of the bride who keeps the total bride-price. In rare cases the bride is given dowry from her parents which, in most cases, is not very expensive. Endogamy is the most common marriage pattern, while bride-exchange is also observed. Sometimes marriages are arranged to mediate a rivalry in which a girl belonging to the aggressor’s family is wedded to a victim’s family-member. Elopement is a taboo and both the girl and the boy are murdered if found by the relatives. Punishment for adultery is likewise. The common mode of family residence is patrilocal.

The parents of the boy start searching a suitable match for their son as soon as he is mature enough to get married. Mothers have a relatively lesser role in decision making about the marriage of their son or daughter. Neither the groom nor the bride is allowed to choose his or her life partner. The decision of the parents is considered final. However, sometimes the groom is consulted before the final decision or he is allowed to tell his parents about his choice. When the parents of the groom have selected a bride for their son, they make a formal proposal to the bride’s parents who accept or reject the proposal. After both the parties agree to a marriage, details including the amount of vulvar and dates of the wedding are finalised. When all the details are decided satisfactorily, a mullah offers dua-e-khair (pray of goodness). Ukkaré (formal engagement) is performed a few days before the wedding. All the expenses for entertainment of the guests at the wedding are afforded by the groom’s family. Soon after the marriage, the groom arranges valima (marriage feast) which is attended by a large number of people from the clan and celebrities of the area. During the whole process of marriage, no meals are offered by the bride’s family. However, after the wedding takes place, the groom and his close relatives are invited by the bride’s parent to a feast which denotes that now he is a formal member of their family.

In Killa Saifullah, society is structured on kinship basis. Tribal identity is still important and the people use the name of their clan as their last name. The sardars, whose political and social power was hereditary in the past, have reshaped their influence which now springs from their economic affluence. However, Jogizais still enjoy a relatively higher status. Although many decisions are made at household level, important decision, specially of mediation, are made at clan level. Communal leadership is a function of aged people in the community. Sometimes educated individuals are accepted as community leaders, specially in collective welfare and development activities. Wealth does play some role in the social prestige but the family background is considered more important. Sometimes the Syeds of the area are accepted as mediators. Political decisions are made on the clan basis. If the clan has decided to support someone, rarely anybody violates the decision. However, this pattern is changing nowadays.

In case of conflict, parties first try to mediate through nawabs, sardars, or the Syeds. Sometimes the people go to the court of law for their complaints but mostly the conflicts are solved at the communal basis.

Co-operation has been a characteristic of gemeinschaft (predominantly rural) societies like that of Killa Saifullah. As the society here is primarily an agricultural-rural one, intense relationships are found between the individuals. The people do co-operate in agricultural tasks – like sowing, reaping and thrashing, etc. – and other communal activities. A few examples of formal types of co-operation can also be found in Killa Saifullah district.

The Balochistan Rural Support Organisation has encouraged and guided the people to form an Apple Production and marketing Association and Village Organisations. These VOs are active for the development of the area – either in the sectors of agriculture, horticulture, livestock, or infrastructure – through community participation. This programme has motivated the people towards self-reliance. Participation of women has been ensured through formation of the Women Organisation.

A newly introduced form of induced co-operation is management of water supply schemes by the community. These schemes have been completed by the Public Health Engineering Department and have been handed over to the Water Management Associations – committees formed amongst the community. These associations fix tariffs for water consumers, operate and manage the schemes and arrange for minor repairs up to 10,000 rupees, if needed.

According to the 1981 census, the Muslims constitute the majority of the population in Killa Saifullah district while the remaining population includes Christians, Ahmadis, Hindus, Parsis, Sikhs, Buddhists and others. In Killa Saifullah, sectarian violence is minimal as most of the people belong to the Sunni sect of Islam and believe in the Hanfi interpretation of the Shariah. Generally, the people have a religious attitude and practice Islam according to its fundamental principles. Inheritance is divided according to the Islamic principles and daughters are given their property rights accordingly. All Islamic festive days are celebrated with zeal and fervour.

In Killa Saifullah, attempts are made to resolve the conflicts at community level by involving nawabs, sardars or other influential people. Both the conflicting parties nominate a common arbitrator who call upon old wise men of the clan and sometimes the Syeds and also the victimised party. After listening to both sides, a decision is made which is usually accepted by all parties. If not, the aggrieved party can go to a court of law.

Religious leaders also have a considerable influence over the people which is evinced by the electoral lead taken by a religious party in 1997 general elections. These leaders not only play the role of elected representatives but also of mediators in case of a conflict.

Killa Saifullah is a frontier district which attracts illegal arms dealers. These arms, illegally imported from Afghanistan, are sold in the district without any fear of legal action. Various types of assault rifles are available in Killa Saifullah at affordable prices. Arms of other calibre and ammunitions are also freely available. This situation has resulted in law and order problems for the law enforcing agencies but the district administration seems least concerned about illegal arms. Major crimes like murder and robbery are common in the area due to the easy availability of weapons. According to the information provided, a total of 406 licences were issued in the year 1994-95. The reason for this low count of arms licences is authorities’ disregard and the people’s attitude towards the law.

Although women are secluded inside the boundary of the house they enjoy a considerable freedom in making routine decisions about household affairs. In most of the cases, women are given their share in inheritance according to the principles of Islam. A few women have joined the formal sector through government jobs, specially in the field of education. Since 1995, government has started employing middle-pass girls as women health workers under the Prime Minister’s Programme for Family Planning and Primary Health Care. Through these opportunities women are striving towards economic independence but still women are either deprived of many income generating activities or being exploited by undervaluing their activities. The help they offer in agriculture and livestock farming is unaccounted for and is considered of no economic value.

The Women Organisation promoted by the Balochistan Rural Support Programme has ensured women’s participation in socio-economic development. Women are being trained for income generating activities and awareness is growing. However, there is a need for improved utilisation of this viable platform.

The economic independence of women in Killa Saifullah district does not fully translate into social independence. The woman has multiple roles but the socio-cultural milieu either do not allow her to perform these roles satisfactorily or she has no opportunities. Sometimes her role performance is restricted to the limits which suits the male domination. For example, she is free to move around but just to graze her livestock or to fetch water and collect fuel wood. She makes many of the routine domestic decisions but decisions regarding major issues, like children’s marriages, are made by the males in the family. However, she definitely has an advisory role. Unmarried girls have no say in the decision about their marriage. Very few women were seen in Killa Saifullah and Muslim Bagh bazaars. It is not an appreciable act for women to go outside their homes alone, even for a medical check-up. She is considered protected only when a male family member, even a child, is with her. Male drivers do not like to seat their female family members adjacent to themselves.

Killa Saifullah is a male dominated society where sons are preferred. This preference results in discrimination of female children in education, health, nutrition and affection. Expenditure on female education is considered a waste. In this way women loose their chance to be financially secured and they remain dependant on the men. Due to the preference for sons, mothers without a male child are required to conceive repeatedly without an appropriate break which endangers their lives. There is no exclusive health facility for women – mother child health care centre – in the entire Killa Saifullah district. The girls are bound to get higher education in a boys college – against the local traditions. The only political role women in Killa Saifullah district can play is casting their vote, usually according to the will of their male family members. Their limited political role is evinced by their absence from the District Council and the Union Councils, except for UC Tubli, where they have their reserved seats.

The UNICEF has termed all activities which deprive a child of his or her right to get education as child labour. According to this definition all the grazing task performed by the children in Killa Saifullah district can be termed as child labour. On the other hand these children not only share the economic burden of their family by herding the livestock but also learn their family trade which may be seen as apprenticeship. Most of the working children in Killa Saifullah district are involved in livestock grazing. Very few children work at hotels, car and engineering workshops, bicycle repair shops, blacksmith shops, tunnors (loaf makers), hair cutting saloons and tailoring shops. In most of the cases children work here as apprentices and are paid a little amount as stipend.

In the localities far from settled villages, where water is not available in the house, children are supposed to fetch water and sometimes to collect fuel wood. In the livestock farming communities, they herd cattle and help in cattle raising. Sometimes children are engaged for picking fruit. Although all the tasks children perform are considered a help to their families, these activities actually keep them from going to school and are included in child labour by the UNICEF’s definition. The girls are not being allowed to go to school or taken off because their presence is needed at home, to look after younger siblings and help in household chores, collection of water, etc.

The society in Killa Saifullah district is tribal, based upon kinship. Monogamy is the prevalent mode of marriage and society is patrilocal and patriarchal. Collective decision making on development issues is prevalent, sometimes interfering with interpersonal conflicts and political decisions. Conflicts are resolved through mediation at community level or by court of law. There is a complete religious harmony among the people in Killa Saifullah district. Carrying arms is common and the crime rate is increasing. All the children assist in their family’s craft and daily household chores which sometimes keeps them from schooling. Hence, it may be called child labour according to UNICEF’s definition. The social change is inevitable and Killa Saifullah is no exception. However, the pace of this change is slow here. Old family ties remain intact and cultural values still play an important role in the life of the common people.

Women do play an effective role in routine decision making but important decisions are made by male family members. Their political participation is limited to casting votes. Awareness raising amongst men and women regarding the importance of women’s participation is required. It is due to lack of awareness that women’s role and potential is limited to the household and their mobility is affected to the extent that she cannot have access to health and educational facilities available. Women cannot freely participate in economic activities, which in turn is affecting the economic uplift of households and communities within the district.

Killa Saifullah, a political agency in administrative terms, was notified as a district on 14^th December 1988. Previously it was part of Zhob district and known as Upper Zhob sub-division. About two years ago Kashatoo sub-tehsil of Zhob district was transferred to Killa Saifullah district with a new name, Badinai. After the inclusion of Badinai sub-tehsil, (whose area is not known) in Killa Saifullah district, the district was re-organised as far as administrative division is concerned. At present the district is divided into two sub-divisions: Killa Saifullah and Muslim Bagh. Killa Saifullah sub-division comprises one tehsil (Killa Saifullah) and one sub-tehsil (Badinai). Killa Saifullah tehsil is further sub-divided into 2 qanungo circles and then into 5 patwar circles. The entire Badinai sub-tehsil is a qanungo circle as well as patwar circle. Muslim Bagh sub-division comprises Muslim Bagh tehsil and Loiband sub-tehsil. The entire Muslim Bagh tehsil is one qanungo circle, further sub-divided into 4 patwar circles. The Loiband sub-tehsil consists of one qanungo circle and is sub-divided into 2 patwar circles (see Annex 1 for details).

This division was made to facilitate administration, maintenance of land record and revenue collection. Only a part of the district’s land is settled. The remaining area could not be settled mainly due to hilly terrain and the tribal set-up. The revenue record (settlement) is reviewed every 30 years with the purpose of consolidating the fragmented holdings. In Killa Saifullah district, the first settlement record was prepared in 1902 and the second in 1955. No settlement was carried out after that year.

For the purpose of settlement all the land is divided in rectangles of about 4 hectares (10 acres) consisting of two rows of 2 hectares (5 acres) each. Every rectangle is given a number and every acre in the rectangle is numbered as well from 1 to 10. A landmark carved with the corresponding rectangle number is fixed on every corner of the rectangle. The landowners of every plot in this rectangle are recorded in a register and on a map known as shajrah. Land which at the time of settlement is not claimed by anyone is considered as shamlat-e-deh (common property of the whole village). The government has declared this land to be state land which may not be used without permission of the district administration.

The first ever local government system introduced in Killa Saifullah was the Village Aid programme which was initiated in the entire Zhob district on 15^th July 1957. Although 15 male workers were appointed for this programme, it never started functioning like in other districts. This system was replaced by the Basic Democracies Order of 1959. Under the Basic Democracies system, 13 Union Councils were established in the entire Zhob district. In 1969, all these local government institutions were suspended and later totally abolished on 22^nd January 1972. A new local government system was introduced in 1975 under the Balochistan Local Government Act 1975. This law could not be enforced in its true sense as the elections proposed under this act were never held. In 1979, another local government system was introduced in the country and implemented in Balochistan under the Balochistan Local Government Ordinance 1980. This system is still enacted in the province. Under the provisions of this law, one District Council and 12 Union Councils are functional in Killa Saifullah district.

The local government at Killa Saifullah district comprises 12 Union Councils and one District Council. The mandate of local councils was to address various socio-economic development issues on local level through needs assessment, planning and implementation (see Annex 4 for functions of local government). These local councils are supervised and supported by Local Government and Rural Development Department through an Assistant Director at district level. However, it is a common complaint that instead of working as an auxiliary organisation, LG&RDD has been posing bureaucratic hurdles in the affairs of local government institutions.

Ideally, local government institutions are constituted on the assumption that in this way grass root decision making and implementation for development could be ensured; but this ideal has not been realised. Although small communities elect their representatives at local level and there is more intense interaction and exchange of ideas between representatives and the electoral college, participation of common people in the decision making process is minimal. After being elected, members of local councils rarely consult their voters on development issues. Similarly, the appraisal of development potential and planning for exploitation of this potential is not according to the bottom-up approach. Rather, a top-down decision making and implementation approach is followed. This approach leaves no room for participation of local government institutions in development planning. In addition, these institutions lack adequate funds on their own to finance development activities.

All local government institutions in Balochistan have been dissolved on 18^th of December 1996 for new elections in 1997. Now these institutions are working under the supervision of government officials. The Political Agent and the Development Officer, LG&RDD administer the District Council and the Union Councils respectively.

 4.3.1 Union Council

The Union Council is the lowest local government institution. The allocated membership of each Union Council in Killa Saifullah district varies from 11-17 members. The elected councillors in every Union Council have to elect 2 women and one peasant member in their Union Council. In the entire district only one Union Council, i.e., Tubli is reported to have a woman councillor. All the other Union Councils and the District Council have no woman councillor. There are 12 Union Councils in Killa Saifullah district (list is given in Annex 1).

Ideally, the Union Council provides an opportunity for the people of rural areas to participate in decision making at micro level. It was assumed that a council of a small community will have better chances of intense interaction and grass root appraisal of the problems of the people. However, the Union Council is not consulted in development planning for the rural areas. Usually decision making follows a top-down approach, therefore, nullifying the ideal function of Union Councils. In addition, the Union Council has never received the financial support it was supposed to receive, to be able to fulfil its functions, as described in the Local Government Ordinance of 1980.

The only income of 10 out of 12 Union Councils is a regular grant of rupees 18,000 per annum by the provincial government. This small amount does not allow the Union Council to plan development strategies for the people in rural areas. The Union Council is not consulted in development planning for the rural areas.

The Union Councils of Muslim Bagh and Killa Saifullah earned a considerable sum from octroi. In the financial year 1995-96, the Union Council, Muslim Bagh earned 1.2 million rupees and the Union Council of Killa Saifullah earned rupees 916,500 million rupees. All this amount was collected through contractors. Killa Saifullah UC aims to contract out its octroi collection for the year 1997-98 for an amount of 1.8 million rupees, however, bidding has yet to take place. The annual financial liabilities (salaries of the staff) of Killa Saifullah UC amount to 0.8 million rupees.

Both Killa Saifullah UC and Muslim Bagh UC have arranged for sanitation of the towns and garbage collection. Moreover, these Union Councils have constructed drains in the towns which are repaired regularly.

At present (1997), no Town Committee exists in Killa Saifullah district. However, the district administration has proposed upgrading of the Union Councils of Muslim Bagh and Killa Saifullah to the status of Town Committees.

At present (1997), there is no Municipal Committee in the district.

The District Council Killa Saifullah comprises 14 councillors out of which 12 are elected directly (one from each of the 12 Union Councils) while 2 councillors including one peasant and one labourer are elected indirectly by the elected councillors. The District Council is primarily responsible for the overall development of rural areas of the district (detailed functions of the local government institutions are described in Annex 4).

Apart from special grants and annual development plans, zila (district) tax is the sole source of regular income for the District Council. The income and expenditure statements were not provided by the District Council office.

At district level, the provincial government is represented by the Political Agent (PA). All the departments, functional in the district, are supposed to work in liaison with the Political Agent. He super-ordinates 3 Assistant Commissioners, one at each of the 2 sub-divisions and one as a trainee; 2 Tehsildars, one at each of the 2 tehsils; and 5 Naib-Tehsildars, one at each of the 4 tehsils and sub-tehsils, and one for Zakat and Ushar. The Political Agent is ex-officio member (in most cases, head) of almost all the important committees and forums in the district. He is responsible for the maintenance of law and order in the district, to collect ushar from farmers through a Naib-Tehsildar and to participate in development planning concerning the district.

The Political Agent, Killa Saifullah is supervised by the Commissioner of Zhob division and then by the Secretary of Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD) at the provincial level. He is an intermediary link between micro and macro level administration. Despite the fact that he is supposed to play an important role in socio-economic development of the district through co-ordination and progress review, he is rarely consulted in policy making. The District Development Committee meets regularly under the chairmanship of the Political Agent but is not very effective. The Political Agent has some additional powers which give him liberty to be flexible in applying administrative rules as and when required.

Killa Saifullah is divided into two areas as far as law enforcement is concerned. Area "A" is controlled by the Balochistan Police headed by a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) while "B" area is controlled by the Balochistan Levies Force headed by the Political Agent (PA), Killa Saifullah. There are 2 police stations; at Killa Saifullah and Muslim Bagh. Both police stations – manned by 43 policemen at Killa Saifullah and by 41 at Muslim Bagh – are responsible for maintenance of law and order in an area of about 5 kilometres radius. Up to 1992, this area was 1,500 square metres only. The increase in the jurisdiction of the police stations in Killa Saifullah may be one of the reasons behind the sudden increase in registered cases after 1992.

Levies forces control the remaining parts of the district. The Political Agent controls the levies through his Assistant Commissioners, Tehsildars and Naib-Tehsildars. There are 18 levies thanas (posts). The total strength of federal levies is 343 while the provincial levies is manned by 110 personnel. A contingent of Zhob Militia is deployed at Muslim Bagh to keep an eye on the international border with Afghanistan.

As Killa Saifullah is a tribal area, violence has been its hallmark. Crimes here include murder, robbery and physical violence. The offenders often take refuge in Afghanistan or the border areas after committing crimes. Easy availability of affordable fire arms, mostly smuggled in from Afghanistan, has further worsened the situation.

Justice is administered through regular as well as Qazi courts. Regular courts provide justice under the civil and criminal laws of the state. Previously the Political Agent and the Sub-division Magistrates had judicial powers but recently administration and judiciary have been separated. The judiciary is of the view that this action has speeded up the delivery of justice while the administration opined that justice process is slow in courts and people are suffering due to delays. However, this action has resulted in a system of check and balance between administration and judiciary.

Qazi courts were established under the provisions of the Civil Disputes (Shariat Application) Regulation of 1976 to provide justice to private parties under the provisions of shariat laws. Appeal against decisions of Qazi courts can be made before a Majlis-e-Shoora which comprises two Qazis under the chairmanship of District and Session Judges. Both types of courts work in complete harmony.

Another justice delivery mechanism was the jirga system which has now been abolished. Jirga was a very old institution which was provided a legal framework under the Civil Law (Special Provision Ordinance I of 1968) and the Criminal Law (Special Provision Ordinance II of 1968). According to these ordinances jirga was empowered to decide civil as well as criminal cases. Amongst the influential of the area, 20 members were nominated for jirga membership by the Political Agent. Two of its members were selected by each of the conflicting parties. The Jirga was headed by a nominee of the PA. The Political Agent and later the Commissioner was the appellate authority. The Civil Law (Special Provision Ordinance I of 1968) was abolished by the Government of Balochistan itself in 1988 whereas the Criminal Law (Special Provision Ordinance II of 1968) was declared null and void by a judgement of the Balochistan High Court in response to a constitutional petition. In this way the jirga system was completely abolished. According to the local sources, it surely was a time saving and economical mechanism of justice administration. However the Arbitration Act of 1940 is still applicable in the area under which arbitration can be made (a) without intervention of the court; (b) with intervention of the court; and (c) in suits already pending between the parties. Through this act, the people can get justice administered in an easy and cheaper way.

Killa Saifullah is a Political Agency, hence, many of the taxes – like motor-vehicle tax, arms licence fee, etc. – are not levied. However, local taxes like octroi and zila tax are levied by the local councils. After the imposition of ushar (Islamic duty on agricultural produce; 10% of the agricultural income), the landowners refused to pay land tax and now there is no agricultural tax indeed.

In Killa Saifullah revenue is collected through various agencies. The District Council is responsible for collection of zila tax, which is assumed to be utilised to meet development and recurrent expenditure. Similarly, the Union Councils levy octroi to meet their financial liabilities. The utility fees are collected by the provincial government through the line departments. Income tax and customs duty is levied by the federal government.

Usually, revenue generated through the local councils remains less than that required for development and even for recurrent expenditure. Major obstacles to revenue raising include lack of co-ordination between various government agencies and lack of motivation among the people.

Revenue collection is a tough task in Killa Saifullah. Officials blame the public for non-payment of taxes, but the public demands appropriate facilities in return of the taxes paid. Tax culture is non-existent in Killa Saifullah. People take every facility for granted and expect that the government should provide them every facility without paying any cost. This trend is widespread in the district. Almost all the line departments, including WAPDA, PHED and local administration have complaints of non-realisation of the assessed revenue. 

Women’s participation in political activities is an absolute taboo in Killa Saifullah district. However, their vote is important for support of male candidates. Accordingly, they cast votes according to the will of male members of the family. Active participation is minimal; in the whole district only one woman has been elected as woman councillor (in Union Council Tubli). None of the political parties in Killa Saifullah have their women wings. Students wings of these parties, specially Jamiat Tulaba-i-Islam (JTI) and Pushtunkhawa Students Organisation, are very active and also play a role in political activities of their parent organisations. The political parties have exploited the students’ politics to accomplish their vested interests but this practice has severely deteriorated the standard of education and discipline in the educational institutions. The political parties in the district do not have their labour wings but these parties support various workers’ unions in government organisations.

To date, 17 registered non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are functional in Killa Saifullah district while some province-wide organisations like the Balochistan Rural Support Programme and Taleem Foundation are also playing a very active role in different fields of socio-economic development. Most of the NGOs are working for the welfare of youth, children and women through their educational programmes, skill training centres and rural development activities. Participation of women in these activities is still minimal.

Taleem Foundation has established two grammar schools at Killa Saifullah and Muslim Bagh. Both of the schools are up to class 6. These schools are providing quality education which is a prerequisite to socio-economic development of the area. The Balochistan Rural Support Programme (BRSP), is a continuation of the Pak-German Self-help Project. The project was established in 1983 with funds provided by the German government. The German government appointed GTZ as the implementing agency to whom the Local Government and Rural Development Department was the counterpart. In April 1991, the project organisation was changed and a NGO was established to continue the implementation of the project. The name of this NGO is BRSP.

From 1983 to March 1991, only one Union Council of Killa Saifullah district was included in the project area of BRSP. In the first phase, 1983-86, some physical infrastructure schemes and training programmes were implemented in Nasai Union Council. In 1986 the strategy was changed and villagers were invited to constitute Village Organisations (VOs) in order to receive assistance from the project. A Village Organisation is required to meet once a month to discuss their common problems and to make proposals for assistance to be required from BRSP. All VO members are required to save a small amount of money every month and deposit it into the bank account of the Village Organisation. In 1988, the BRSP introduced a component of rural finance in its programme according to which Village Organisations that save more than rupees 10,000 are given their saving as internal lending. After repayment of the loan with a mutually agreed upon mark-up, the VO is entitled to apply for a new loan. The amount of loan increases every time the VO proves its credit worthiness.

At present BRSP is functional in 4 Union Councils of the district: Murgha Faqirzai, Nasai, Muslim Bagh and Kan Mehterzai. A total of 90 Village Organisations have been constituted in these 4 Union Councils of the district. In order to ensure women participation in development activities the assistance for physical infrastructure development has been conditioned to the establishment of Women Organisations (WOs). To date 75 Women Organisations have been constituted.

The Balochistan Rural Support Programme is a multi-faceted programme. It has helped in establishment of Apple Production and Marketing Association which has won many prizes in apple exhibitions since 1991. The BRSP arranges training workshops for women in the fields of basic health, first aid, midwifery and income generation activities. It has also provided training in livestock farming, livestock health and lamb fattening. Village Specialist training is another component which enables villagers to solve their agricultural problems at local level. To date 41 village specialists have been trained. Three of these village specialists have established Agro Input Shops at Nasai, Muslim Bagh and Murgha Faqirzai with the help of BRSP. In the field of education the BRSP has helped in establishing 3 literacy centres.

BRSP gives also financial assistance for physical infrastructure schemes. For the first project of a VO, BRSP contributes 75 percent of the finance, in the second project 50 percent and in the third project of the same VO 25 percent of the finance is contributed by BRSP. Afterwards entire financing is done by the VO and BRSP provides technical assistance. Amongst the physical infrastructure schemes, 6 water supply schemes are most worth mentioning.

Some international organisations and projects have been active in the district, specially in the field of education, health, and water supply and sanitation. The World Bank and the Japanese government have provided assistance for water management through the On Farm Water Management Project in Killa Saifullah district. UNICEF has assisted the Water and Sanitation Cell of the Local Government and Rural Development which has installed 160 deep well hand pumps in the district. 

The women have no role in government administration and in the decision making process of political parties. They are absolutely absent in the local government institutions. The marginalisation of women in decision making affects the entire issue of women development. However, now the women are given some opportunities to participate in the development activities through participation in the Women Organisations under BRSP.

The law and order situation can be stated as being under control. The traditional informal jirga system provides a community based justice system which is somewhat more speedy and cheaper. Increase in revenue generation needs more vigilance and a more efficient collection structure. Provision of adequate civic facilities can motivate the public to pay taxes.

NGOs/CBOs are playing an active role in mobilising the communities. The role of the BRSP in human resource mobilisation is appreciable.

Agriculture and livestock farming are the main economic activities in Killa Saifullah followed by mining and quarrying. There are no data available about the working population of Killa Saifullah by their economic activity. However, to have some idea of the situation, figures about Zhob district in 1981 are given below. According to the 1981 census, the major economic activity in Zhob district was "Agriculture, forestry, hunting and fishing" followed by "construction" and then by "mining and quarrying". Although livestock farming has not been mentioned in the "Agriculture, forestry, hunting and fishing" sector, it is the second major economic activity in the district.

In Killa Saifullah district, agricultural land can be classified into irrigated and un-irrigated. Irrigation land has permanent sources of water like tubewells and open surface wells. Un-irrigated land is either rain-fed, locally called khushkaba or flood irrigated (sailaba). Fruits, onion, potato, melons, chillies, tobacco, vegetables and fodder are exclusively cultivated on irrigated land. Some crops are cultivated in orchards. Crops like wheat, jowar, barley, cumin, maize, pulses, melons and some of the fodder are cultivated in both irrigated as well as un-irrigated lands.

The Agriculture Department has sub-divided the net potential area available for cultivation into current fallow, net sown, area sown more than once and cultivable waste. In Killa Saifullah district, 96 percent of the area is either not yet reported, area under forest, or not available for cultivation. The arable land constitutes only 3.2 percent of the total area. However, keeping in view the number of tubewells these figures seem suspicious (see also paragraph 1.1).

Killa Saifullah district is a semi-settled area. The last land settlement record was compiled in 1955 and to date the same settlement record is being used for revenue collection as well as ownership rights. In Killa Saifullah district, land ownership is of two types: personal and communal. The communal lands are owned by the entire clan and the yield of everything cultivated on these lands is divided among the entire clan.

According to the 1990 Census of Agriculture, 77 percent of the land-holdings in Killa Saifullah district is sized below 5 hectares while only 4.1 percent of the farms were larger than 20 hectares. In non-irrigated areas the size of land holdings is relatively large, however, no account is available about these areas.

Tenancy is not very common as farm sizes are small and most of the farmers work on their fields themselves. Some large land and orchard owners employ tenants or orchard labourers. Tenancy contracts are not formal and a verbal understanding is considered enough. In case of crops the tenant retains one third of the total yield, while in case of orchards about 1,500 rupees per month are paid to the labourers. In both cases all the inputs are provided by the land owner.

Agricultural statistics are collected primarily by a Field Assistant posted in every Union Council. An Agriculture Officer at district level is responsible for compiling district data and sending it to the Statistics Wing of the Agriculture Department through the Assistant Director for Agriculture Extension. The Directorate General of Agriculture Department compiles and publishes this data in the form of Agriculture Statistics of Balochistan, every year. It has been a common complaint that the Statistics Wing of the Agriculture Department does not use the data sent by the Extra Assistant Directors. It is evident from the agricultural data collection process that data are compiled at the Union Council level, but that only the cumulative figures are provided and published. This practice not only gives an overall picture and also impedes planning for agricultural development at the grass root level.

Men are the visible agricultural workers in Killa Saifullah. Women take part in agriculture-related activities inside the household boundaries. Land owners themselves till the land and tenants are hired only if the size of the holding is large. Although mechanisation, like the use of tractors, threshers and tubewells, is increasing, most of the farming is still performed using indigenous methods. For instance, bullocks are used for inter-cropping in orchards.

The organisation of production has changed considerably due to the shift from staple food crops to orchards and vegetables, and because of the mechanisation. Presently the farmers hire tractors for cultivation and employ labourers in peak seasons only. The orchards’ produce is usually sold to a contractor three to four months before the harvest season, the contractor then takes care of picking, packing, etc. Therefore, crop-sharing tenants are employed by a small number of large landowners only. All the farmers in the area use tractors for cultivation. Bullocks are not used for farming in the area anymore. The tractor hire rate is rupees 70 per hour for ploughing. Thrashing is done mostly with tractors. In some areas thrashers from other areas come in the wheat harvest season.

According to the Agricultural Statistics 1994-95, the major source of irrigation in Killa Saifullah district are tubewells which irrigate half of the cultivated land. A small proportion of land is irrigated with open surface wells, from which water is taken out for irrigation with the help of bullocks using the "Persian" wheel or electric or diesel pumps. Karezes and springs irrigate 8.8 percent of the cultivated land in Killa Saifullah district while the remaining khushkaba or sailaba land is depending on rainfall. Karezes exist in Muslim Bagh area only. The number of tubewells has increased in recent years, bringing the total number to 1,310 in 1994-95 for the entire district.

Flood irrigation is another major source of irrigation. In flood irrigation, rain-water is collected in the fields by embankment of fields against its flow. This provides enough water for cultivation of crops like wheat, jowar and barley. The Agricultural Statistics of Balochistan 1994-95 show a majority (59.4%) of the cultivated area as irrigated land. Here it is necessary to clarify a misunderstanding: open surface wells with diesel pumps are often also called tubewells. The government has assisted water management in collaboration with the Japanese government and the World Bank under the On Farm Water Management Project (88% share by the foreign donors and 12% by GoB). The project has constructed lined water channels, to avoid wastage of water during irrigation, and water tanks (of 40,000 gallons capacity) for collection of water. The project has completed its third phase in December 1996. The first phase of the project was not implemented in Balochistan. In its second phase (1988-91), the project funded all the construction costs for water tanks; farmers were asked to share 25 percent of the total cost for water channels while the remaining (75%) was paid by the project. In the third phase, farmers were facilitated by giving them the opportunity to pay their share in instalments (40% advance, 60% in instalments).

The Irrigation Department has constructed 16 delay action dams at Shin Shob, Dize Kach, Kan Mehterzai, Gatti, Tore Skhar, Mandak, Surtal, Sangar, Inder Base, Kajeer, Kafer Toi, Behana, Ghunda Mana, Warsak, Aghbergi and Kashkalwai. A storage cum delay action dam has been constructed at Mullazai and another storage dam at Murgha Bakalzai. These dams are built basically with the purpose of water recharging of the land. The total capacity of these 18 dams is 3,094.47 acre feet, each ranging from 18 to 591 acre feet.

The major agricultural machinery being used in the district are tractors, threshers and tubewells. There has been a consistent increase in the number of privately owned agricultural machines, specially tubewells (see Annex 6). The farmers in Killa Saifullah district seem considerate about increased mechanisation of agriculture as they are buying agricultural machinery, specially tractors and tubewells. Moreover, they are using threshers – either owned by themselves or the hired ones – whenever needed. The Agriculture Department provides bulldozers at the rate of rupees 700 per hour for levelling of agricultural lands and construction of embankments. In a period of 5 years (1991-96) the total use of the department’s bulldozers was 195,986 hours through which the Department earned an amount of rupees 137,190,200. For the year 1996-97, the estimated use of bulldozers in Killa Saifullah district is 46,000 hours which will earn an amount of 32.2 million rupees.

A total of 445.35 tonnes of chemical fertilisers, Urea, Nitro Phos, Ammonium Sulphate, DAP, SSP, SOP. and NPK, were used in Killa Saifullah district in 1994-95. There is no consistency in data on fertiliser usage (see Annex 6) which may be caused by unreliable statistics.

Pesticides are used for fruits, vegetables and wheat through ground sprays. Sometimes seed is also treated with pesticides. In 1994-95, 450 kilograms of pesticides were used in the whole district, an area of 520 hectares was ground-sprayed and 242 hectares was

mechanically treated while rodent control was applied to 350 hectares. Supplies are made through the Department of Agriculture and small dealers in the private sector. There are Agro Input Shops – established with the help of Balochistan Rural Support Programme – in Muslim Bagh, Nasai and Murgha Faqirzai.

Fruits and vegetables are the only marketable agricultural produce while wheat and other grains fulfil the local needs. Tomato, apple, almond, apricot and chillies are exported to the Punjab and NWFP. Although marketing to Punjab and NWFP suits the local farmers better, it sometimes produces losses to them. Once the goods have been delivered in the markets of Punjab and NWFP, the farmer loses control over prices. The rate for the goods is fixed by the market. Sometimes the farmer has to accept a price which is below his expenses. Agricultural as well as horticultural produce is sold on farm, where a middle man buys the goods and further sells it in the markets. In case of orchards, the middleman buys the produce of orchard three or four months prior to the time of harvest; he becomes responsible for safety, care and marketing of the produce.

There are no fixed prices of agricultural products. Official rates are totally invalid in Killa Saifullah district. On average, fruits and tomato have the highest prices.

Except fruits and some vegetables, all of the agricultural produce is used domestically at local level. Prices of the agricultural as well as horticultural produce are unstable, hence, unable to guarantee economic prosperity of the farmer. Hardly any data are available to calculate the level of income of the farmer households in reference to agriculture, but based on the total volume of the various produces and the Quetta wholesale prices as indicated in the Agricultural Statistics of 1994 - 1995, the per capita income from agriculture is estimated at Rs. 12,100 for the year 1995, which for the most part is dependent upon the production of tomato, almond and apples (see Annex 6).

The extension service of the Department of Agriculture is providing assistance to farmers through dissemination of technical know-how and information regarding agriculture/horticulture. The Department is also responsible for the implementation of the On Farm Water Management Project. In 1960, the Department acquired about 11 hectares of land in the Mustafa Karez area for development of an agricultural farm but due to disputes over a water channel it could not be cultivated. The Department has developed another model agricultural farm at Nasai on an area of about 10 hectares, selling seedlings of varieties of fruits and vegetables to farmers. The Trickle Irrigation Project has installed a trickle irrigation system at the Nasai model farm. There are a few demonstration plots for various crops, basically under private ownership. In 1994-95, under departmental arrangements, a total of 520 hectares was sprayed to protect plants from various insects while 350 hectares of land were treated for rodent and weed control. Store fumigation was done on 300 cubic metres. Arial spray has been proposed for the year 1997-98 but not confirmed yet. The Department sells seeds and fertilisers to the farmers at prices fixed by the government. However, spray machinery is sold at 30 percent subsidised rates. There seems to be very little co-ordination between research activities by the federal government and the knowledge dissemination process by the provincial government through the Department of Agriculture.

The Balochistan government, NGOs and private sector are the main partners providing the support structure to agricultural sectors. Federal government is also involved to some extent. The Japanese government and the World Bank have provided assistance to the farmers in Killa Saifullah district through the On Farm Water Management Project. 

Women are involved in allied agricultural activities. As this is done inside the houses it is invisible. However, women participation in development activities is to some extent being ensured through the Women Organisations under the Balochistan Rural Support Programme. Necessary action requires collective efforts from both government and NGOs. One basic requirement for better planning is collection of gender specific data on agricultural activities. This can ultimately result in improved opportunities for men and women in development of agriculture.

The supply of electricity has facilitated the use of tubewells which in turn has increased irrigation. At present the WAPDA has adopted a policy to disconnect the electricity in a feeder area where more than 20 percent of the consumers are defaulters. Although this method has improved the revenue collection, sometimes even those who have paid their dues are deprived of electricity. There should be some more justifiable procedure for dealing with defaulters so that law abiding farmers should not be punished.

Killa Saifullah district is reported to have about one third of its total geographical area as range land thus providing ample chances for livestock development. It is the second important economic activity in the district. The only available livestock figures for Killa Saifullah district are from the Census of Agriculture 1990 which in the absence of any other statistics at the district level are impossible to comment. According to these figures, sheep and goats are the most common livestock species in the district. The approximate grazing capacity is enough to support further development of livestock. 

The livestock communities have a semi-nomadic lifestyle. For most part of the year they migrate with their herds to other areas of pasturage in the province and in Afghanistan. However, agricultural development has changed their lifestyle to some extent and some of them have adopted a more settled way of life. Seasonal migration is prevalent in livestock farming areas like the Union Councils of Tubli, Sharan Jogizai and Khasnob. Some households who combine agriculture and livestock raising also migrate to other areas but only in winter season. From November to February livestock farming households migrate to Loralai area and from March to July they migrate to Kalat area or Afghanistan, adjacent to Zhob district. The Kalat area of Afghanistan, Sharan Jogizai and Tubli are inhabited by the Jalalzai tribe. The civil war in Afghanistan has not affected this migration. After the rains in August the valleys of Rod Jogizai area are offering fresh pasture. From August to October livestock farmers from other areas also migrate to this valley for grazing their herds.

In livestock farming areas about 80 percent of the households make a living out of raising small ruminants. These livestock farmers own tiny plots of irrigated land. According to the veterinary officer at Killa Saifullah, 70 percent of the livestock farmers live in the mountain areas and the average size of a herd is 150-200 heads. In other areas of the district, livestock holding is an additional activity. In Murgha Faqirzai UC almost all households possess about a dozen small ruminants. In Ragha Bakalzai village near Muslim Bagh town, livestock raising is a subsidiary activity of all households where each household possesses about a dozen small ruminants. They pay a shepherd rupees 4-5 per head per month for grazing their animals. The government has built one Basic Health Unit in the valley at some distance from the village Tubli. According to some officials this BHU was built for the livestock farmers who come and stay here for four months. Surprisingly, there is no livestock dispensary in the area which is probably a more urgent need of the people.

Women can hardly be seen grazing their animals. Mostly the children and men are livestock grazers. However, women are involved in a variety of livestock activities. They feed the animals at home, if fodder is available, and cure them by traditional methods. They keep the place for animals clean and prepare dung cakes which are used as fuel. By grazing the animals children share the economic burden of the household. However, this deprives the children of schooling, which is a basic right of every child.

According to the veterinary officer, on average some 20 percent of the farming households in the district possess at least one cow. In some areas of the district about 50 percent of the farming households own one or two cows. Cows are a major source of milk production. Buffaloes are rare. In Muslim Bagh town some people keep a small number of cows for selling the milk. Milk sold in Killa Saifullah town is brought from Loralai. Bullocks and camels are raised for farming as well as to fulfil nutritional needs of the area. However, the introduction of tractors has reduced the population of draught animals. Beef of the cattle is not only consumed locally, but the cattle is also sent to other areas for slaughter. According to the slaughterhouse statistics, local consumption amounted to 1,925 (including 165 buffaloes) cattle per annum in 1994-95. Hides are sold to the retailers and afterwards sent to Karachi for processing.

Sheep and goats constitute the overwhelming majority of the livestock population in Killa Saifullah district. Even agricultural households have tens of small ruminants. These are raised mostly in non-irrigated areas where range land provides pasture. Sheep and goats are raised for multiple purposes like milk and meat. In Killa Saifullah district, 15,185 sheep and 15,041 goats were slaughtered in the slaughterhouse in 1994-95. Women are involved in milking, milk processing, medication, cleaning of abodes, etc.

The poultry requirement of the district is partly met through import of poultry birds from other districts. However, a vast majority of the households possesses poultry birds which fulfil local needs. One government poultry farm was reported at Muslim Bagh, but its details are not available. Mortality rate of household raised poultry birds is high and the veterinary hospitals in the district do not have any vaccine or medicine for poultry. The Balochistan Rural Support Programme has provided training to women for poultry farming at the household level. The BRSP has also introduced Feomi poultry birds which lay about 200-270 eggs a piece per annum. Women are very much involved in household poultry, the income thus generated is spent by them, though catering for the whole family.

Major diseases among livestock in Killa Saifullah district include lungs worm, liver fluke, mange, mastitis, anthrax, sheep pox, entereotoxima, contagious plural pneumonia, foot and mouth disease (FMD) and tick fever. Although women and men are both involved in curing of diseases, people are not very considerate about diseases of their livestock. Non-availability of adequate veterinary services at Union Council level results in high livestock mortality. However, exact mortality rates are not known. Mostly the livestock farmers do not bring their diseased animals for treatment. They just describe the symptoms and prescription is made according to these symptoms. Through this, accurate treatment of the animals is not possible. The main poultry diseases include new castle, rani khet and gumboro.

At present two veterinary hospitals are functioning in Killa Saifullah district at Killa Saifullah and Muslim Bagh. There are 29 veterinary dispensaries. The facility of an Artificial Insemination (AI) Centre is available at Killa Saifullah and Muslim Bagh while a Disease Investigation Laboratory Unit is present at Killa Saifullah only. At the AI centres insemination is provided for Friesian, Sahiwal and Jersey breeds of cattle. Change in the fee policy affects animal treatment to a great extent. Presently, 50 percent of the total treatment cost is charged from livestock owners while it is planned to be raised to 75 percent in 1997-98 and to 100 percent in 1998-99. Vaccination was free in 1993-94 but in 1994-95 a fee of rupees two per vaccination was imposed. The government made it free of charge again in 1995-96. In 1994-95, a total of 207,450 animals were treated and 121,350 were vaccinated (see Annex 7). In order to provide veterinary services to people living in remote areas, mobile camps are also organised in winter season.

In Killa Saifullah, the Department of Livestock and Dairy Development is supervised by an Assistant Director. The total staff strength of the Department is 67, including three veterinary officers. The Department is responsible for providing veterinary treatment facilities, running dairy and poultry farms and collection of livestock data.

The provincial government is providing veterinary services and, to some extent, input supplies while price setting and marketing is done by the private sector. The federal government is providing credit services through the Agricultural Development Bank of Pakistan which can facilitate and enable the people to be involved in livestock development.

A livestock development project is also operating through the Department of Livestock and Dairy Development which is being financed by the Asian development Bank (80%) and the Government of Balochistan (20%). This project was initiated in 1992 with the objective of increasing livestock productivity by improving the breeds and introduction of improved varieties of fodder. Under this project, Village Livestock Committees have been established; workshops on various topics have been conducted; a situation analysis of households has been made; training has been given to the Village Animal Health Workers; demonstrations have been given on better fodder cultivation, ewe-flushing and late-gestation supplementary feeding; and throughout the year vaccination, treatment and worming has been done. The Balochistan Rural Support Programme has also given demonstrations on animal health and poultry farming. The women are being encouraged by BRSP to adopt poultry farming as an income generation activity.

The livestock development project is a worthwhile initiative and it should also be expanded to other areas of the district. Community level efforts guided by the BRSP may help the livestock development. 

At present there are 3 state forest or reserves which cover a total area of 13,294 hectares. The Forest Department has planted or distributed 511,660 plants and cuttings, through the public and various agencies, during the period of 1991-96. The Department can do much better in this regard if financial support is available.

According to the Divisional Forest Officer, natural vegetation in the district includes showan (olivea cusedata), shung (wild ash), ghaz (tamarix galica), willow, crysopogan, sympogan and various grasses. Among the trees and plants which accommodated to the climatic conditions of Killa Saifullah district, remarkable species are lachi (Euclyptus), sufaida (popular), toot (mulbery), bakain, more pankhi, Quetta pines and suroo. About one third of the total geographical area of Killa Saifullah district is estimated to be range land.

The cutting, marketing and processing of wood in Killa Saifullah district is in the hands of the private sector and undocumented. Fuel wood is cut in the woodlands by the local population for domestic needs. Wooden poles are used in roof construction.

The forestry activities in Killa Saifullah district are looked after by the Divisional Forest Officer stationed at Zhob. The Department has motivated the public and various government and non-government organisations for plantation. Moreover, plants and seedlings have also been provided by the Department for plantation.

According to the wildlife map, ravine deer or chinkara (Gazella gazella bennetti) and chukor (Alectoris chukar chukar) are rarely found in Killa Saifullah district. The species which have been declared endangered include Pallas’s cat (Felis manul), urial (ovis orientalis), Suleman markhor (Capra falconeri jerdoni), Houbara Bustard (Chlamydotis undulata macqueenil) and Sandgrouses. However the Divisional Forest Officer, Zhob has mentioned partridges, falcons, sesies and cranes as well.

Although honey is used in the district, bee-keeping is an alien idea in the district as people are using wild honey only.

According to the Zhob district gazetteer (1906), asbestos, coal, salt and saltpetre were found in the district. However, the Directorate of Mineral development has reported that presently chromite and magnesite are being mined in Killa Saifullah district while prospecting licenses have been issued for mining of asbestos, gabro and granite. The Directorate has also indicated deposits of soapstone and limestone and occurrence of calcite, manganese and coal. However, a detailed geological survey is needed to explore other minerals which may be present in the mountainous terrain of Killa Saifullah district.

According to the Directorate of Mineral Development’s record, there were 237 employees working in chromite mines and 24 working in the magnesite mine in 1994. However, the actual number of labourer might be more than the given because the lease owners do not report the exact number of labourer in order to evade social security contribution.

It is reported by the Directorate of Mineral Development that 13 mining leases have been issued for chromite and one for magnesite up to December 1995. Chromite mining is underway in Muslim Bagh area and the total deposits of chromite are estimated as one million tonnes. Magnesite is being mined out in Nasai area and the deposits are estimated to 0.04 million tonnes. In addition to these leases, 14 prospecting licences for chromite, 5 for magnesite, and one each for asbestos, gabro and granite have been issued by the Directorate. The largest estimated deposits are found for asbestos but for unknown reason its exploitation is minimal. 

At present role of the provincial government in mining is limited to licensing and leasing while mining, processing and transportation of minerals is handled by the private sector. The federal government can play an important role in this regard through the Geological Survey of Pakistan by exploring the hidden minerals.

There may be great mineral potential in the district which needs to be explored and exploited. At present some minerals are being mined in the district but this activity is not very beneficial for the people in Killa Saifullah district. The district earns some money as octroi and only a few local workers are employed in the mining sector. The majority of the mining labourers comes from the North Western Frontier Province (NWFP), leaving little room for local labour. This may be compensated by establishing mineral processing units in the district. A proposal for a chromite purification plant was prepared in 1972 costing 0.7 million rupees but no action has yet been taken in this regard.

There is no major industry in Killa Saifullah district. The only manufacturing enterprise is furniture making. Factors inhibiting the growth of industry and manufacturing include non-availability of skilled labour, lack of training institutions and unconcerned attitude of government functionaries.

Although the district is situated near Quetta, most of its trade links are with the Punjab province. The major quantity of fruits and vegetables is exported to various districts of Punjab. The same is the case with imports. Most of the consumer items are imported from Punjab. There are some commission agents in Killa Saifullah and Muslim Bagh who buy fruits and vegetables from the local farmers and transport these items to Punjab. Tomato, apple, almond and apricot are the major exports.

There is no tourist attraction in Killa Saifullah district. Although some archaeological sites are visit-worthy, they are difficult to reach due to inadequate road links. Moreover, tourists’ accommodation is also a problem in Killa Saifullah district.

Embroidery work is the main handicraft done by women of the area with excellent skill and craft. Mostly it is done on women’s dresses for personal use though some more skilled women receive orders to make dresses for other women of the village. This embroidery work is not sold out in the town markets. Almost all of the women are skilled in embroidery craft but only few do it for income generation. This craft can be developed as a cottage industry.

A Department of Industries exists at provincial level but it does not play any role for development of industries or small business enterprises at district level.

The only government support available for development of small enterprise and manufacturing is a banking facility. The banks provide long and short term loans to finance various trade activities. Marketing is done through private sector and there is a not very effective marketing network for export of goods from Killa Saifullah. 

Tourism is non-existent as no facilities are available in the district. Embroidery work is done by women for personal use and a small proportion of it is done for the village inhabitants. Organised efforts may be directed towards development of embroidery work as cottage industry and, consequently, economic development of women. There is no vocational institute in the district, therefore, interested candidates have no opportunity to receive any training. There has been little planning regarding skill development and provision of infrastructure either due to lack of interest or of financial resources.

Killa Saifullah, an exclusively rural district according to census definition, is well connected with other parts of the province and country by road. Both important towns, Killa Saifullah and Muslim Bagh are located on the national highway (N-50). More than half of the road length is metalled and buses, vans and pick-ups provide inter as well as intra-district transport. Because of the mountainous nature of the area, development of infrastructure and communications is a difficult as well as expensive task.

The total length of roads within the district is 405.5 kilometres out of which more than half (219.5 km) is metalled (black top). The national highway N-50 connects Quetta with Dera Ismail Khan via Kan Mehterzai, Muslim Bagh, Killa Saifullah and Zhob. The length of this highway in Killa Saifullah district is 195 kilometres. Another national highway (N-70) connects Killa Saifullah with Dera Ghazi Khan via Loralai which is 21 kilometres long in Killa Saifullah district. Both of these highways were constructed and are maintained by the National Highway Authority while the provincial Buildings and Roads (B&R) Division of the Communications and Works (C&W) Department constructs and maintains all the shingle roads and 3.5 kilometres of metalled road in the district. The shingle roads provide intra-district access to the various areas. Both the Muslim Bagh-Loiband and Killa Saifullah-Sharan Jogizai-Badinai roads provide access to Afghanistan, however, most of the cross-border traffic is using the Muslim Bagh-Loiband road. There are many fair-weather tracks, most of which were made and are maintained by the villagers themselves. According to an estimate about 85 percent of the villages are accessible by roads and tracks. 

The non-existence of adequate road links to various areas of the district results in improper marketing of horticultural produce. Moreover, due to high maintenance cost of the vehicles moving on shingle roads or tracks, transporters demand high rates of fare which further affects the costs and decreases profit. Some areas do not have any road links, hence, agriculture products cannot be marketed. In the areas where small rivulets have to be crossed, shingle roads and tracks become difficult to travel during rains.

Any exact data on transport in Killa Saifullah is hard to find. The main reason is that Killa Saifullah is a newly incepted district hence motor-vehicle registration has not started here properly. Most of the motor-vehicle owners have their vehicles registered in other districts and only a few government vehicles are registered in Killa Saifullah. Another observation is that many vehicles including cars, pick-ups and trucks are illegally imported from Afghanistan without paying any duty. These automobiles do not have any documentation, hence, are available for a relatively low price. The Department of Excise and Taxation is responsible for registration of automobiles and collection of revenue from the owners but the excise authorities seem quite heedless regarding this issue. Some vehicles have fake number plates with no authority to check them.

Transportation to the major localities, Muslim Bagh and Killa Saifullah, is easy. Most of the buses and vans plying between Quetta and Loralai or Zhob pass through Muslim Bagh and Killa Saifullah. Pick-ups are used for intra-district travel. Fare of the pick-ups varies according to the roughness of the route. The passenger intending to sit inside the cabin of the pick-up is charged about double. A journey from Quetta to Muslim Bagh takes about 2½ hours while it is one hour more to Killa Saifullah. From Killa Saifullah to Loralai is about 1½ hour journey while the same time is needed for travelling to Zhob.

There is no airport or airstrip in the entire district. The airport closest to the district headquarters is in Zhob (145 km) and the one nearest to Muslim Bagh is in Quetta (120 km).

A narrow gauge railway line (295 km long) was built by the colonial government between Bostan and Zhob in 1928. The railway line served strategic rather than commercial purposes. This slow and inefficient train service has never been commercially viable because of the insufficient number of passengers and quantity of goods transported. There used to be a biweekly service between Bostan and Muslim Bagh and a weekly service between Muslim Bagh and Zhob. The development of the road transport made the railway redundant. Pakistan Railways stopped the train service on this section in June 1985. Despite closure of the section, railway staff is still posted on this section. There were about 500 employees on this section in January 1992, of which 146 were on Killa Saifullah-Muslim Bagh section.

The district is out of the Pakistan Television’s transmission range. A low range television booster has been installed at Muslim Bagh but the signal is very weak and reception is poor. Most of the television owners watch satellite-received television programmes. Nobody pays Ptv licence fees, which seems justified as the Ptv transmission is impossible to watch. At present no record about the number of television sets is available. Same is the case with radio sets.

There is no radio station in the district. The broadcast of the Radio Pakistan Quetta is received throughout the district because of a high power radio transmitter at Yaru near Pishin.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has provided a telephonic network to some towns and villages of Killa Saifullah district through its 7 auto and manual exchanges. At present there are 2 telephone exchanges of 400 lines capacity at Killa Saifullah and Killi Ghulam Muhammad. Other exchanges are located at Nasai, Shinkai bah and Shina Lashia with 50 lines each and at Kan Mehterzai with 150 lines while the telephone exchange at Muslim Bagh has a capacity of 300 connections. The total number of telephone connections in the whole district is 527. This amounts to 37.6 percent of the total exchange capacity in the district. There are about 10 private call offices which provide inland as well as international telephone services to the public. A Customer Services Centre has been established at Muslim Bagh which provides telecommunication facilities – like telephone and fax – as well as client services like correction of telephone bills and provision of telephone connection’s application forms. Telegraphic and facsimile service, promoted by the Pakistan Telecommunication Corporation, is also available at Killa Saifullah and Muslim Bagh but internet and e-mail services are not yet available.

The revenue collection has improved during the last financial year (1995-96). Contrary to other government departments, the PTCL staff was satisfied with the revenue collection, may be due to their ability to disconnect the telephone of the defaulters. Many applications for provision of new telephone connections are pending but unacceptability of these applications, while there is capacity in the exchanges, is incomprehensible.

There are two post offices in Killa Saifullah district, one at Killa Saifullah and the other at Muslim Bagh. Three branch offices are also established by the Pakistan Postal Services Corporation at Khilgai, Kalu Killa and Sharan Jogizai. Moreover the Corporation has arranged mail service in 33 villages. Keeping in view the area and the population of Killa Saifullah district, such a small number of postal outlets seems quite insufficient. At some places one of the residents of the area voluntarily distributes the mail. In this way, it can be ascertained that mail is delivered door to door. However, delayed delivery of mail is a common complaint. Special mail services are not yet available in the district. Courier services are only available at Killa Saifullah and Muslim Bagh towns, provided by the private sector.

In Killa Saifullah, commercial banking services are provided by the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) and Muslim Commercial Bank (MCB) while the Agricultural Development Bank of Pakistan (ADBP) provides credit services to the farmers. The principal business of the banks in Killa Saifullah is commercial banking. Agricultural lending was stopped after zero percent recovery and the business community does not apply for loans due to high interest rates. 

Two branches of the Agricultural Development Bank of Pakistan are established in the district to provide loans to farmers for agricultural development. In order to give a loan, a pre-appraisal is prepared by a Mobile Credit Officer, who, after a detailed visit, prepares a financial appraisal. After financing, the bank keeps track of its investment and an evaluation of the loan utilisation is made. Usually agricultural land is mortgaged and a loan up to 66 percent of its value can be provided on which a 14.5 percent mark-up is charged. Sometimes personal guarantee is also acceptable if the loan demanded is up to 30,000 rupees.

 In Killa Saifullah most of the loans were for the installation of tubewells. In 1995-96, the lending was linked with recovery therefore the amount lent decreased drastically to 3.4 percent of the amount of the previous year. This policy failed very badly, therefore it was repealed in 1996-97. In the financial year 1996-97, a recovery target was fixed at 13.5 million rupees out of which 7.284 million rupees have been recovered up to the end of May 1997. It indicates that detaching lending from recovery is a viable policy. The figures for the Muslim Bagh branch could not be made available.

The Agricultural Development Bank of Pakistan has introduced many schemes, some of which have been abandoned due to change of government policies. The bank has financed the installation of tubewells and as a consequence the irrigated area under cultivation has increased. Financing was arranged for the purchase of tractors and pick-ups, however, under the Awami Tractor Scheme only 3 tractors were provided to the farmers in Killa Saifullah at 12 percent interest rate. Any type of agriculture based industry can be financed under the bank’s manifesto. Loans can also be made for seeds, fertilisers and agricultural machinery.

In Killa Saifullah district, 29 villages have been supplied with electricity up to February 1997. The Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) has constructed two grid station – at Killa Saifullah and Muslim Bagh – which provide electricity to these 29 villages through 6 feeders. Killa Saifullah, Allozai and Patozai feeders get electricity from Killa Saifullah grid while Muslim Bagh, Kan Mehterzai and Nasai feeders are connected to the Muslim Bagh grid. Up to mid 1996, electricity was provided to 4,572 consumers out of which 3,413 were domestic connections, 397 commercial and 762 connections for running tubewells. There has been a 127.5 percent increase in electricity connections over a period of four years. The major increase was in domestic connections.

The WAPDA is responsible for service provision and collection of revenue. There remains a continuos tussle between WAPDA officials and the consumers over non-payment of bills. The consumers have the excuse of under-development and demand for subsidies. It is difficult for the WAPDA officials to disconnect power supply because the area is tribal and people react aggressively if such an effort is made. The WAPDA officials complain about non-co-operation from the district administration. In such circumstances, the overall realisation of the assessed revenue from Killa Saifullah district is not more than 50 percent.

Killa Saifullah does not have access to gas through pipelines, however, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is available in cylinders for cooking. The Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) has allotted agencies in the district but the sole agency in Killa Saifullah remains closed. In Muslim Bagh, there are 3 SSGC agencies. One cylinder of 10-11 kg of LPG costs rupees 310. LPG is also available through refilling in smaller cylinders of 2½ kg for 75 rupees. The agencies of SSGC cumulatively sell about 2,000 cylinders per month.

There are 4 rest houses (official guest houses) in the district: one in Killa Saifullah and 3 in Muslim Bagh. The Irrigation and Power Department owns 2 rest houses; one at Killa Saifullah and the other at Muslim Bagh. The other two rest houses are owned by the district administration and the provincial Buildings and Roads division. All the rest houses at Muslim Bagh are well-furnished and well-maintained while the one at Killa Saifullah is in miserable condition.

Most of the economic infrastructure and communications are developed and managed by government, either federal or provincial. Private sector is involved in transport, courier services, gas supply and banking only. Control of all these sectors by government creates a non-competitive atmosphere which ultimately hampers socio-economic development.

Presently, the district is out of the range of Ptv transmissions. Human resource mobilisation can only be made possible through Education, Awareness and Communication (EAC), of which television is an effective medium. Though this state run medium can promote the government perspective only, Ptv can still play a very positive role in change of attitudes, like on family planning and on the importance of women’s participation, through persuasive communication.

The district is well linked by telephone and mail, although, delays in mail delivery are a common complaint. Postal services need to be improved. Commercial banking is limited to only 3 branches of the banks. The Agricultural Development Bank of Pakistan is playing a crucial role in agricultural development which, in turn, can result in overall socio-economic development of the area.

Electricity is the most demanded facility for lighting the homes and to run tubewells to irrigate a field. In this regard efforts should be made to expand the electric supply network. However there should be an effective and efficient revenue collection arrangement with the help of the local administration.

7. Social Infrastructure

Most of the ground water in Killa Saifullah is potable, however, safety of this water may be questionable. Mostly water obtained from tubewells, open surface wells, karezes and brooks is used as drinking water while in some areas PHED has constructed water supply schemes and drinking water is supplied through overhead and community tanks. Electricity and diesel operated tubewells, open surface wells and springs are used to provide water through these schemes. According to the Public Health Engineering statistics, 32.4 percent of the population has access to safe drinking water through these schemes. No previous data are available on water supply coverage of the population.

As it has been indicated above, about one third (32.4%) of the population is supplied with drinking water through 48 water supply schemes constructed by the Public Health Engineering Department. In case of overhead tanks or direct pumping, water is supplied through house connections and a monthly flat water rate is charged from the consumers. Most of the schemes are provided with community tanks from where children and adults fetch water. The remaining population obtains water from open surface wells, karezes and springs. In collaboration with UNICEF, the Water and Sanitation Cell of the Local Government and Rural Development Department has installed 160 deep well hand pumps throughout the district which has made fetching water a slightly more easy task. Basically these hand pumps have been installed on already existing open surface wells, therefore the number of sources of water has not increased. It is estimated that these hand pumps have benefited a population of 56,960 persons. In the areas far from villages, women and children fetch water for domestic use. Sometimes they use donkeys and small trolleys if they have to bring water from a distant source. However, in the villages women are not asked to fetch water from community tanks or other sources; male family members do this job, because people usually live near the water source.

Only four out of the 52 water supply schemes constructed by the Public Health Engineering Department are not functional. One reason is non-availability of operation and maintenance (O&M) budget and staff. Out of 48 functional water supply schemes, 42 have been handed over to the community and all these schemes are functioning satisfactorily.

The water supplied through schemes is not chlorinated. However, all community tanks are lined and water pipelines are laid one metre below the surface to avoid breakage and subsequent water contamination. The majority (36) of the schemes are spring based while 4 schemes are based on dug-wells. Out of the remaining 12 schemes 10 are based on electric tubewells and 2 on diesel operated tubewells. Although water supply schemes have facilitated people by providing drinking water, the overall satisfaction level seems low in the community.

Most of the water supply schemes are administered by the community. The PHED has constructed, to date, 52 schemes, out of which 48 are functional. Out of the functional schemes 42 have been handed over to the community for operation and maintenance. The water supply schemes constructed by the Public Health Engineering Department supply water in two ways; through house connections or commercial connections and through community tanks. House connections are given in the towns of Killa Saifullah and Muslim Bagh. In case of house connection a monthly flat rate of 30 rupees per connection is charged while 250 rupees per month are charged from commercial consumers. In case of water supply through community tanks no water charges are levied. In case the schemes are being operated by community, the water management Association fixes the tariff and levies water charges from consumers. The community arranges for operation and minor repairs costing less than 10 thousand rupees. The major repair (more than 10 thousand rupees) is arranged by the Public Health Engineering Department.

The quality of ground water in Killa Saifullah is good. A total of 57 test wells were drilled in Killa Saifullah district up to mid 1993 by the WAPDA, the Power and Irrigation Department, and the Balochistan Development Authority to examine the quality of water. An area of about 13,851 square kilometres in Killa Saifullah-Zhob districts was surveyed by the Hydrogeology Project of the WAPDA to assess the available ground water potential and its approximate extraction. It was reported that in the Zhob river basin there is a potential of 125 cusecs of ground water out of which only 40 cusecs are being exploited at present. Thus there is about 85 cusecs of ground water which can be exploited.

When looking at the district as a whole, there is no sewerage system, no solid waste management and no cleanliness. The towns of Killa Saifullah and Muslim Bagh are relatively in a better position, though not satisfactory. Three organisations, the Public Health Engineering Department, the District Council and the Union Councils have a mandate to provide sanitation services to people but none of these is addressing this important issue. The service provided by the Union Councils of Killa Saifullah and Muslim Bagh are for the town areas and these are also inadequate. These Union Councils have employed sanitation workers who collect the household garbage and dump it outside the towns. The District Council and the Public Health Engineering Department have the excuse of non-availability of funds; resulting in sewerage water flowing in the streets, household garbage being dumped just outside houses, and a very pungent smell is a characteristic of most of the villages in Killa Saifullah district. None of the government or non-government organisations has a plan for a motivational campaign to educate the people about sanitation and environmental pollution.

The Department has established two offices in Killa Saifullah district at Killa Saifullah and Muslim Bagh which function under the supervision of two separate Sub-divisional Officers (SDOs). However, both offices are supervised by an Executive Engineer (XEN) stationed at Zhob. The Public Health Engineering Department is mainly responsible to construct, operate and maintain water supply schemes; to look after water resources; to provide sewerage and solid waste disposal facilities; and to levy water and sanitation charges. The Department has contracted out collection of revenue in Killa Saifullah town for an amount of 69,200 for the year 1997-98. It is hoped that after handing over all the water supply schemes to the community, the Department will direct its attention to exploitation of more water resources and provision of sanitation services.

The provincial government plays a major role in the provision of water and sanitation services in collaboration with some international donors and local NGOs. The increased participation by the community in operation and maintenance of water supply schemes will not only lessen the burden on the public exchequer but will also ensure better service delivery. The Balochistan Rural Support Programme has helped in construction of irrigation schemes which are mainly meant for irrigation though water is also being used for drinking purposes.

The sites of hand pumps and water tanks need to be selected while keeping in mind the social -cultural constraints which do not allow women to fetch water from public places. Sanitation needs to be developed and training for women is required for better hygiene conditions.

The health status is not satisfactory in Killa Saifullah. Common prevalence of malaria, ARI, tuberculosis and gastrointestinal diseases indicate a lack of preventive measures and an inefficient primary health care system. The picture is even worse for the women. On the one hand the female population is culturally deprived of free movement outside their house and consequently they always need some male member of the family to accompany them. On the other hand, women-exclusive health facilities are absolutely non-existent and there is a severe shortage of female health staff, either medical or paramedical. Malnutrition of females is a cultural phenomenon in Pakistan. This not only results in poor health of females but also increases the burden on secondary health care facilities. According to the District Headquarters Hospital data, in 1996 a total of 3,730 patients visited the outpatient facility of which a small majority (51.2%) was female. Similarly female patients constituted a considerable majority (64.2%) out of 330 indoor patients at the District Headquarters Hospital in 1986. However, it is noteworthy here that many patients are not registered in the hospital record as they do not pay prescription slip fee (a sort of registration fee).

None of the primary health care facilities has sufficient medical professional and paramedical staff – like Medical Technician, Female Medical Technician, Lady Health Visitor and Dispenser – to provide health services to the people. In most cases, female medical staff is either not available or not willing to serve in the rural areas. This situation results in non-availability of adequate health services for the female population of Killa Saifullah district.

The District Headquarters Hospital at Killa Saifullah is supposed to provide specialised health service in paediatrics, surgery and dentistry but despite the existence of sanctioned posts none of the specialists is posted here. Nominal fees are charged from patients for outdoor, indoor, X-ray and laboratory services. Only one rupee is charged for an OPD slip while the indoor admission fee is rupees 5. An ambulance service is available at the rate of 2 rupees per kilometre plus fuel charges while a fixed amount of rupees 20 is charged for each of X-ray and laboratory test. Fees are being levied since September 1995 and all the income goes straight to the provincial government’s accounts through the district treasury. At present, only 3 out of 5 ambulances are functional.

Apart from government run facilities, health services are being provided by private medical practitioners also. There are 10 private clinics and 3 clinical laboratories in Killa Saifullah and Muslim Bagh. Two hakeems (traditional healers) also practice in Muslim Bagh. Family planning centres are working at Killa Saifullah and Muslim Bagh.

In Killa Saifullah district the disease pattern changes with the climate. In summer, malaria is the most prevalent disease along with gastrointestinal diseases. Absence of sewerage systems and improper garbage disposal results in swamps and marshy areas which not only provide mosquitoes ample chance to grow but also contaminate drinking water. Diarrhoea and dysentery are common gastrointestinal diseases. In winter, malaria is replaced with acute respiratory infections including bronchitis, sore throat and pneumonia (specially in children). After malaria, pulmonary tuberculosis is the most common disease. Its infestation is attributed to the immigrants from Afghanistan. The majority of the immigrants is infected with tubercle bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculi). Patients suffering from hepatitis and peptic ulcer are also common. Major paediatric diseases are acute respiratory infections (ARI) and diarrhoea. Most of the female patients have complaints of anaemia, amenorrhoea and dysmenorrhoea while tuberculosis is more prevalent in females than males.

Special health services in Killa Saifullah include the Expanded Program of Immunisation (EPI) and the Prime Minister’s Program for Family Planning and Primary Health Care. The PM’s Program was started in 1995. Under this program local females with a minimum qualification of middle pass are employed as Lady Health Workers for a fixed remuneration of rupees 1,200 per month. They are provided three months’ training and they are supposed to collect health statistics of the area, register births and deaths, impart health education and treat minor ailments like headache, common cold and flu. They also motivate pregnant women and the parents for vaccination of their children. In phase I of the programme, 10 workers were recruited from Muslim Bagh area. In phase II, 17 workers were recruited from Muslim Bagh area, 5 from Killa Saifullah area and 9 from Kan Mehterzai area. In the phase III six workers from Muslim Bagh area and four from Killa Saifullah area were recruited to work as Lady Health Workers. In this way, till June 1997, a total of 51 Lady Health Workers have been recruited in Killa Saifullah district. The house of the Lady Health Worker is named "health house". Apart from 16 trained birth attendants, these health workers help the pregnant women, provide them advice and refer them to hospital in case of any gynaecological or obstetrics complication. The programme has provided one small van and 2 carry vehicles but these are not being adequately utilised for the programme.

In Killa Saifullah, a District Health Officer is responsible for primary health care and related facilities like Rural Health Centre, Sub Health Centre, Basic Health Units and Civil Dispensaries. He is also responsible for the Expanded Programme of Immunisation and the Prime Minister’s Program for Family Planning and Primary Health Care. Secondary health care is provided at the District Headquarters Hospital, Killa Saifullah and the Civil Hospital, Muslim Bagh. A Medical Superintendent is responsible for proper functioning of the District Headquarters Hospital while a Senior Medical Officer supervises the Civil Hospital. At present, the District Headquarters Hospital is facing severe crises regarding medical professionals. There are sanctioned posts of paediatrician and dental surgeon but not one is posted at the DHQ Hospital. Out of 4 sanctioned posts of Medical Officers one is being held by a Lady Medical Officer who is presently attached to the Sandeman Provincial Hospital, Quetta. Three other posts of Medical Officers are filled but 2 of them do not perform their duties in the hospital. Another Lady Medical Officer is appointed in the DHQ hospital but she has attached herself to the Civil Hospital in Muslim Bagh. This means there is not a single Lady Medical Officer in the District Headquarters Hospital. Only one Lady Health Visitor is present in the DHQ Hospital to attend the female patients. The situation at the Civil Hospital in Muslim Bagh is relatively better where 2 Medical Officers and 3 Lady Medical Officers are present to attend the patients.

Although federal government is providing support to special health services like the EPI and the Prime Minister’s Program for Family Planning and Primary Health Care in the district, the provincial government seems to be the major actor in the provision of health services to the people of Killa Saifullah. Private sector’s involvement is limited to private clinics, hakeems, clinical laboratories and medical stores. 

The district is facing problem in finding female medical staff. There are very few local females trained for health services and even if they are available, the socio-cultural environment inhibits them from rendering such services.

The administrative lenience has resulted in inadequate health care provision in Killa Saifullah. The affairs of the District Headquarters Hospital needs immediate attention and amelioration.

The educational institutions in Killa Saifullah district include one intermediate college, 10 high schools, 20 middle schools and 332 primary schools. Besides these public sector educational institutions, 2 lower middle schools exist in the private sector. Many of the government schools in the district are not functional. These schools exist on paper only. Their staff is getting salary but no teaching activities are carried out. This situation suffers from the absence of any reliable official data about these non-functional schools.