Jafarabad District

The district is named after Mir Jafar Khan Jamali. It was a part of Sibi district until 1975 and a part of Nasirabad district until it was given status of a district in 1987. Chowki Jamali is a famous village of Jaffarabad. Jaffarabad is at a main‑road to Sindh province. Its boundaries link four districts: Jacobabad (Sindh), Nasirabad, Jhall Magsi, and Sohbatpur. Jaffarabad and Naseerabad are only two districts in Balochistan which have irrigation system and produce a large amount of rice, wheat, soybean and pulses. It is also the second largest owner of livestock in Balochistan after Naseerabad. There is a public cattle farm in the district as well situated near Usta Muhammad. Apart from the potentials the district has, it is worse affected by weak leadership. Only a single family has ruled the district since its inception. The political leaders are not interested in development projects. There are no Universities, technical colleges and research centers in the district. The politicians still have the imperialistic mindset and that is the reason they are gradually losing their influence. On the other hand, the most corrupt institute in the district is the Education department which is headed by incompetent people who fail to deliver adequately and nepotism keeps ruling the poor people.

At the time of the 2017 census the district had a population of 513,972, of which 262,872 were males and 251,047 females. Rural population was 356,261 (69.32%) while the urban population was 157,711 (30.68%). The literacy rate was 30.66% - the male literacy rate was 41.72% while the female literacy rate was 19.24%. Islam was the predominant religion with 98.53%, while Hindus are 1.34% of the population.[1]

At the time of the 2017 census, 48.62% of the population spoke Balochi, 19.80% Sindhi, 15.39% Saraiki and 14.32% Brahui as their first language.[1]

The district of Jaffarabad is administratively subdivided into the following three Tehsils:[3]

• Gandakha
• Jhat Pat (Dera Allah Yar)
• Usta Mohammad

According to the Pakistan District Education Rankings 2017, district Jafarabad is ranked at number 113 out of the 141 ranked districts in Pakistan on the Education Score index. This index considers learning, gender parity and retention in the district.

Literacy rate in 2014–15 of population 10 years and older in the district stood at 36% whereas for females it was only 15%.[4]

Post primary access is a major issue in the district with 89% schools being at primary level. Compared with high schools which only constitute 4% of government schools in the district. This is also reflected in the enrolment figures with 27,448 students enrolled in class 1 to 5 and only 736 students enrolled in class 9 and 10.

Gender disparity is another issue in the district. Only 28% schools in the district are girls’ schools. Access to education for girls is a major issue in the district and is also reflected in the low literacy rates for females.

Moreover, the schools in the district lack basic facilities. According to Alif Ailaan Pakistan District Education Rankings 2017, the district is ranked at number 117 out of the 155 districts of Pakistan for primary school infrastructure. At the middle school level, it is ranked at number 116 out of the 155 districts. These rankings take into account the basic facilities available in schools including drinking water, working toilet, availability of electricity, existence of a boundary wall and general building condition. More than 3 out of 5 schools in the district lack electricity, working toilet and a boundary wall. More than 1 out of 5 schools do not have clean drinking water.

The main issues reported in Taleem Do! App for the district are unavailability of class rooms for students and a lack of university. Political interference is also reported in development of new schools.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jafarabad District.

• Jaffarabad District at www.balochistan.gov.pk
• District Jaffarabad at www.balochistanpolice.gov.pk