Balochistan, (Balochi, Pashto, Urdu: بلوچستان) is a province in Pakistan, the largest in the country by geographical area. It contains most of the historical region of Balochistan and is named after the Baloch. Its neighbouring regions are Iranian Balochistan to the west, Afghanistan and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas to the north and Punjab and Sindh to the east. To the south is the Arabian Sea. The principal languages in the province are Baluchi, Pashto, Brahui, and Persian. The capital and largest city is Quetta. Balochistan is believed to be rich in mineral resources. It is also a major supplier of natural gas to the country.

Geography
Very cold winters and hot summers characterise the climate of the upper highlands. Winters of the lower highlands vary from extremely cold in the northern districts to mild conditions closer to the Makran coast. Summers are hot and dry, especially the arid zones of Chaghai and Kharan districts. The plain areas are also very hot in summer with temperatures rising as high as 120 °F (50 °C). Winters are mild on the plains with the temperature never falling below the freezing point. The desert climate is characterised by hot and very arid conditions. Occasionally strong windstorms make these areas very inhospitable.

Climate
Balochistan has a population of around 10 million inhabitants. Overall, province wise, the Pashtun tribes are the largest ethnic group in the province and outnumber the native Baloch. They're continually higher birth rate and rapid expansion into Baloch territory will result in further demographic changes of this province. It is believed that the Baloch lost their majority status in Balochistan in the mid 1800's after the Pashtun tribes availed themselves to better infrastructure, health facilities and began to adopt a more settled life over the previous nomadic way of life. The Baloch still form the majority in the south and east of the province along the Sindh border and their ethnic kinsman project further into that province up to the river Indus, while the Pashtuns are the majority in the north. Quetta, the capital of the province, has a Pashtun majority with Baloch, Hazara, and Punjabi minorities. Near the Kalat region and other parts of the province there are significant numbers of Brahui speakers. Along the coast various Makrani Balochis predominate. Persian-speaking Dehwars also live in the Kalat region and further west towards the border with Iran. In addition, 769,000 Afghan refugees can be found in the province including Pashtuns, Tajiks, and Hazaras. Many Sindhi farmers have also moved to the more arable lands in the east. There are also a growing number of other(s) ethnic groups consisting of Hazara, Kurdish, Panjabi, Mohajir and Iranians who have made Balochistan their home in recent decades.

Demographics and society

Main article: History of Balochistan History
What is now Baluchistan province of Pakistan, in 7th century A.D was divided into two main regions, its south western parts were part of Kerman province of the Persian Empire and north eastern region was part of the Persian province Sistan. The southern region was included in Makran. In early 644 A.D, Caliph Umar sent Suhail ibn Adi from Busra to conquer the Kerman region of Iran; he was made governor of Kerman. From Kerman he entered the western Baluchistan and conquered the region near to Persian frontiers. Muslim forces latter re-gained the control of the area during Umayyads reign. It also remianed part of Abbasid Caliphate's empire.

Islamic conquest of Baluchistan
Balochis believe that their origins are Semitic and not Iranian contrary to linguistic and historical evidence. Balochis claim that they left their Aleppo homeland in Syria at some point during the 1st millennium CE and moved to Balochistan,
In 1998 Pakistan conducted nuclear tests in Ras Koh and in the Kharan desert, both in the Kharan District in north-western Balochistan.

History of Baloch people
The unicameral Provincial Assembly of Balochistan comprises 65 seats of which 4% are reserved for non-Muslims and 16% for women only.

Government
Balochistan is divided into 27 Pakistani districts.

Awaran
Barkhan
Bolan
Chagai
Dera Bugti
Gwadar
Jafarabad
Jhal Magsi
Kalat
Kharan
Kohlu
Khuzdar
Qilla Abdullah
Qilla Saifullah
Lasbela
Loralai
Mastung
Musakhel
Nasirabad
Nushki
Panjgur
Pishin
Quetta
Sibi
Turbat or Kech
Zhob
Ziarat Administrative division
The economy of the province is largely based upon the production of natural gas, coal and minerals. Outside Quetta, the infrastructure of the province is gradually developing but still lags far behind other parts of Pakistan. Tourism remains limited but has increased due to the exotic appeal of the province. Limited farming in the east as well as fishing along the Arabian Sea coastline are other forms of income and sustenance for the local populations. Due to the tribal lifestyle of many Baluch and Brahui, animal husbandry is important as are trading bazaars found throughout the province.
Though the province remains largely underdeveloped, there are currently several major development projects in progress in Balochistan, including the construction of a new deep sea port at the strategically important town of Gwadar. multipurpose project, on the River Dasht, 50 kilometres west of Turbat in the Makran Division. It will provide dependable irrigation supplies for the development of agriculture and add more than 35,000 km² of arable land. There is also Chinese involvement in the nearby Saindak gold and copper mining project.

Economy
There are five main public universities in Balochistan, as well as several private institutions.
This is a chart of the education market of Balochistan (Pakistan) estimated by the government in 1998. Also see [1]

Balochistan University of Engineering and Technology
Balochistan University of Information Technology and Management Sciences
Command and Staff College
Sardar Bahadur Khan Women University
University of Balochistan Education
In recent years, the presence of Afghan refugees disrupted the delicate ethnic balance in the province by making the Pashtuns at least numerically equal to the Baloch. The Baloch tribes have been the most prone to rebellion in Pakistan, in part due to their fiercely independent lifestyle as well as complaints at the lack of development and attention from the central government in Islamabad. These complaints have been partially addressed as the government has set-up schools and improved infrastructure near major settlements. Balochistan remains one of the most conservative provinces in Pakistan and women are expected to wear the hijab unlike in many large cities where there are fewer restrictions. The Baloch adhere to a clan-like structure and code of honour called mayar that bears some resemblance to Pashtunwali, but with significant differences including the Baloch hierarchy and allegiance to Sardars and subordinate Waderas, both tribal chieftains, that the more individualistic and egalitarian Pashtuns lack. The Sardars remain prominent in the province thanks in part to the British who boosted their authority. While many sardars encourage development and progress of their respective regions, many others are undermining federal initiates fearing that development of their regions will result in them losing their traditional and unquestionable authority over the local population. The Government of Pakistan has tried multiple approaches to appease both the local population and the tribal sardars who exert considerable influence. Recent government initiatives and development programs have resulted in considerable change taking place in Balochistan quite in contrast to the adjacent Balochistan provinces of Iran and Afghanistan which are often neglected. Pakistan has in recent years seen an influx of a large number of Baloch refugees from these neighbooring areas who have intermarried and integrated themselves into the local Baloch population. Many of these refugees have brought their rebellious tendencies (Iran) along with them much to the disdain of Pakistani government officials who are trying to integrate their own native Baloch population into the federal structure on a more equal basis. Pakistan's acceptance of Iranian and Afghan Baloch populations has strained its relations with its two neighbooring countries.

Famous people

Baloch
Perso-Baloch Boundary
Baloch Students Organization
Quetta
Gawadar
Marri and Bugti Country
Las Bela
Balochistan (region)
Balochistan (Iran)
Pashtuns
Brahui
List of cities in Balochistan
Chief Minister of Balochistan
Government of Balochistan