Khuzdar is situated in the centre of Kalat division; it is the divisional headquarters. In terms of area, Khuzdar is the 2^nd biggest in its division, after Kharan and the 3^rd biggest in the province.

Khuzdar was notified in 1974 but exists in its present shape since 1992, when the old Khuzdar district was bifurcated into Khuzdar and Awaran. A considerable drawback is the fact that still no separate statistics are available for the two districts on some essential subjects as the land classification and the agricultural production. This issue should be considered as a matter of high priority for the authorities concerned.

The impression exists that the agriculture can be further developed with additional financial and technical inputs. Irrigation water is certainly a major constraint. The construction of dams to catch rainwater in order to feed the groundwater potential is one remedy that should be applied. Water saving methods of agriculture is one of the technical fields where investments are required.

Livestock is already a major sector. Khuzdar has the largest available pasture area and the highest number of livestock units in the province (compared to other districts). Khuzdar takes a position in the middle with regard to the available pasture area per livestock unit. This might indicate that some expansion of this sector is feasible. The effectiveness can be increased by a functioning of the service delivery functions of the Livestock Department and a better co-ordination between this Department and the public.

Khuzdar has a large potential in minerals. Due to lack of adequate infrastructure and technical expertise this sector is underdeveloped. In some cases the attitude of the local elite has hampered the further exploration and exploitation. There seems to be a task here for the provincial authorities to convince the persons involved that the development of the mining sector is not only a local interest but is of importance for the province and even the country as a whole.

The manufacturing sector is, for all practical purposes, non-existent. Only a few cottage industries are functioning in the district. For any industrial development, investments have to be made in the infrastructure (which of course would also benefit agriculture, livestock, the mining sector and the social sectors). The most logical first steps for industrial development would be to process goods that are locally available, such as minerals, agricultural and dairy produce.

There are as yet no great environmental problems,, although the cutting of wood is an area of concern. To protect the forests against further irreparable damages, measures have to be taken to stop the illegal cutting of trees. Connection of the district with the gas pipeline would certainly help in this respect.

Women of the area are hardworking and participate in almost every economic activity. Unfortunately, their efforts and contribution is not recognised and is hardly reflected inn official accounts and statistics. There are obvious gender based inequalities in terms of mobility, access to educational and health facilities (lack of female medical staff, unavailability of women exclusive health units). The presence of a girls’ college and of a engineering university provides the district at least with an environment where the concept of higher education for girls can become more accepted. The production of Balochi handicrafts is an economic avenue to advance the position of women. The main constraint however seems to be the lack of visibility and acknowledgement of the work that is being done by the women.

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