Total population
260,220 2023 Census
Kohlu District
Carved from Sibi in 1974, Kohlu District is the high-altitude home of the Marri Baloch tribe, comprising five tehsils (Kohlu, Maiwand, Kahan, Tamboo, and Grisani) with a population of 260,220. Covering a massive 7,610 km²—a land area larger than sovereign nations like Brunei, Trinidad & Tobago, and Luxembourg—the district faces immense administrative challenges. Historically hindered by insurgency and poor connectivity, the overwhelmingly Balochi-speaking region relies primarily on subsistence farming and livestock, while its major natural resources—like the massive Chamalang coalfield and potential oil/gas reserves—remain largely unexploited alongside ongoing efforts to extend state administration.
Basic information
Total area
7,610 km²
Administrative units
5 tehsils · 23 union councils
Administrative scale
Indicators
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Total population (2023 Census) | 260,220 |
| Total area | 7,610 km² |
| Tehsils / Sub-Divisions | 5 |
| Union councils | 23 |
Educational institutions
| Type | Count |
|---|---|
| Schools (government total) | 488 |
| Colleges | 2 |
Hospitals & health facilities
| Facility type | Count |
|---|---|
| DHQ hospital | 1 |
| RHC | 3 |
| BHU | 36 |
Police
2 police stations (district total).
Elected representation (Provincial Assembly, party mix)
National Assembly constituencies
| Constituency | Name (Party) |
|---|---|
| NA-253 Ziarat-cum-Harnai-cum-Sibi-cum-Kohlu-cum-Dera Bugti | Mian Khan Bugti (Independent) |
Provincial Assembly constituencies
| Constituency | Name (Party) |
|---|---|
| PB-9 Kohlu | Nawab Khair Bukhsh Marri (PMLN) |
Priority issues & challenges
1. Poor Connectivity & Power Infrastructure
Unpaved road networks severely restrict trade between remote sub-districts, while frequent power load-shedding hampers daily life and farming operations.
2. Water Crisis
In a semi-arid region with just 2,520 hectares of irrigated land, overextraction and falling groundwater threaten Kohlu’s vital karezes and tube wells.
3. Health
A single 35-bed DHQ hospital and just three RHCs serve over 260,000 residents across 7,610 km², leaving entire tehsils without basic healthcare access.
4. Employment
Abundant mineral reserves like coal, fluorite, and marble remain largely untapped due to poor roads and zero processing plants, leaving families dependent on subsistence farming.