Kalat District

Kalat or Qalat (Balochi and Brahui: کلات; Urdu: ضلع قلات) is a district in Balochistan, Pakistan. It is one of 26 in that province, and encompasses an area of 6,621 km2 (2,556 sq mi). The population of the district is estimated to be over 400,000 in 2005. The district is governed from the city of Kalat. Kalat was notified as a district on February 3, 1954. At that time Khuzdar and Mastung districts were sub-divisions of Kalat (which then also included Kachi, Jhal Magsi and Naseerabad (Dera Murad Jamali); these were separated in 1965 as Kachhi District). Khuzdar became a separate district by notification of 1 March 1974, while Mastung was announced to be separate district on 18 February 1992. The district draws its name from the ancient city of Kalat. The old name of the district headquarters was Kahan. The current district consists of two sub-divisions, i.e. Kalat and Manguchar, four tehsils: Kalat Mangochar, Johan, and Gazgz, 81 Patwar circles and 614 mauza (villages). The climate is arid, hot in summer and cold in winter, with most rainfall occurring in the winter. The terrain is mountainous with several valleys and one main river, mount Harboi in Kalat is known for Juniper old trees, the Moro River. The main economic activities are agriculture and livestock farming. The current Khan of Kalat is a ceremonial title held by Mir Suleman Dawood Jan, and efforts have been made by the Pakistani government to reconcile with him, his son Prince Mohammed, who is next in line to be the Khan of Kalat is pro-Pakistan.