The district is basically dependent on agriculture, livestock, commerce and trade. As far as industry is concerned, there are 13 flour mills in the district. The district lacks entrepreneurial skills. Mostly retail shops are present. The flour mills are concentrated around Chaman and Killa Abdullah. The economic contribution of industry and manufacturing is negligible. Retail trade is a major economic activity. The number of retail, wholesale, and semi-manufacturing units is 415, employing some 856 workers. The percentage of children in the total number of workers is 18.5%. The ratio of female workers in industry and manufacturing is zero.

 There are some small enterprises such as auto electric works, flour mills, engineering workshops and transport companies employing only male labourers. At present the provincial government is involved in providing vocational training facilities to unemployed persons in Killa Abdullah. The provincial government issues licenses particularly for flour mills and snuff grinding mills. There are two carpet weaving training centres, for males only.

Embroidery is the prominent female economic activity. Carpentry activities at minor scale have been observed. There is no leather manufacturing in the district.

Killa Abdullah lies adjacent to Afghanistan. Therefore, there is a trade route between these countries. Both legal and illegal (smuggling) trade takes place. From Afghanistan fresh and dried fruit, timber, cotton and sheep and goat skins are imported into Pakistan. The magnitude of import can be derived from the number of trucks coming into Pakistan. According to the available information, in 1996 19,708 trucks came into Pakistan while 3,088 trucks were engaged for export to Afghanistan, during the same period. It should be noted that transit trade to India also takes place via Chaman. The revenue collection from different heads like Customs Duty, Sale Tax and others during January - December 1996, was 2483 million rupees.

The economic effects of these activities are that there is normally a shortage of wheat and edible oil, in Pishin and adjoining districts. Foreign goods are available at cheaper rates, thus discouraging industrial development.

The District has an inadequate tourist infrastructure due to which the number of tourists visiting district Killa Abdullah is very low. A few hotels and restaurants are present in the district; only some of them can be considered as satisfactory. As far as attractions and camping sites are concerned, the district is full of them. There is a vast scope for developing these tourist spots e.g. Shella Bagh and Chaman, which is of historical importance and is a gateway to the Central Asian hinterland. However, the Tourist Department has not yet taken any pains to introduce this area to the tourists.

 The traditional handicrafts include embroidery work on kameezes and shalwars of children and women, on caps and bed & pillow covers etc. Traditional handicrafts activities also include making sweaters from sheep’s wool.

In the past a program of training for girls and women was initiated. The objective was to popularize the traditional handicrafts in this area. The program also included a carpet weaving centre, but due to financial and administrative problems that program has been swept under the carpet. Those women who are engaged in embroidery work bring their finished work to the local shopkeepers. There is no opportunity for them to sell the products outside the district.

A Director of Small Industries is functioning in Killa Abdullah district since 1958. The main objectives are:

1. To provide training to local people in the field of traditional crafts of the various areas of the district
2. To create employment opportunities for trained and skilled workers
3. To take appropriate steps to enhance the income level of craftsmen by organizing the marketing of their products, thus eliminating the role of middle men, thereby getting a good price for their products
4. To take various steps to eliminate the exploitation of craftsmen by the private sector
5. To extend all sort of financial and technical assistance to the craftsmen and particularly to female workers
6. To preserve, protect, develop and also explore local handicrafts

Local government and NGOs are not involved in providing any type of commercial services. The provincial government has substantial involvement in the provision of services to small industries. The federal government is involved only to the extent of provision of credit facilities through banks. The role of the private sector includes credit and marketing services.

 Conclusions of the above discussions are:

1. The role of industry in the economy of the district is still quite insignificant
2. Female involvement in the industrial sector, excluding embroidery, is negligible
3. The involvement of the private sector in the small enterprises is dominant, as they are owned, managed and operated by this sector
4. The area, due to its scenic beauty, holds vast potential for tourism. It can, however, not be exploited unless and until the federal and the provincial government take a keen interest in the promotion of tourism

Major Issues. 

1. Non-availability of local entrepreneurs and skilled labour
2. Smuggling is another constraint for industrial development of the district. It is very appealing for those who are engaged in this business, because of high earning, while less revolving capital is needed.
3. Institutional arrangements for the development of micro enterprises are lacking. For productive employment it is necessary to train young people for particular enterprises, such as engineering workshops, carpentry, electric / automobiles / mechanic.
4. The incredible handicraft done by Pashtoon women is underpaid and exploited by the middlemen. There is scope to develop the handicraft industry, but nothing is being done by the government or the private sector.