Kohlu, administratively speaking a Political Agency, is still deprived of many modern-age facilities. Only shingle roads connect the district to other parts of the country. Telephone is available only in 2 towns and electricity in 4. More than anything, very little data is available about the district, which poses a major obstacle to development planning. From land use statistics to agricultural statistics, no data seem reliable. There are external as well as internal inconsistencies observed in the data. The last census figures available for the area are of 1981 after which the district boundaries have changed. Although some census figures are available at the sub-divisional level, most of the data are of cumulative nature for the whole former district. The housing characteristics are unavailable exclusively for Kohlu. Female population suddenly decreases after the age of 10 years, which shows, that the enumerators have not been able to get to the real picture. Since 1981, there has been no population census conducted anyway. It is obvious that data collection has to be improved. Development planning will benefit from reliable data, which may be collected, processed, aggregated and analysed at the lowest possible level, i.e. on district level or even lower. At this moment, however, there is no adequate infrastructure available for such exercise at the district level of government and below.

The role of local government institutions in Kohlu in development planning is limited, as these are rarely consulted in development activities. The development budget is negligible so the only hope is the provincial Public Sector Development Programme. Currently, development planning is mainly done from federal or provincial level down, without much involvement of the lower levels of government. Implementation of development activities is mainly done through the line departments. On district level, the Political Agent may play an active role through co-ordination, monitoring and enhancing accountability.

Only 3.4 percent of the total geographical area is arable at present which means that there might be a lot of potential in agriculture. Presently almond, tomato, water melons and apple are the most beneficial crops, in economic terms, which provide about two-third (68.7%) of the total agricultural income while the trend towards growing cotton – a good cash crop – is increasing according to unofficial sources. Efforts should be directed to increase the production of such crops. Livestock is another area which has great potential for development. There are plenty of pasture lands which certainly have sustainable grazing capacity – although it could not be calculated – for livestock development.

Kohlu can provide skilled manpower for the neighbouring districts of Punjab and Balochistan, if vocational training in some technical trades is arranged for the local youth. A micro credit system and technical inputs may encourage the people to get engaged in small scale manufacturing and cottage industry.

At present, women in Kohlu do not have equal opportunities in almost all fields of life. Women contribute a lot to the economy, but their efforts are not accounted for. This invisibility is a constraint towards their development, which needs to be highlighted. Even in education women do not get the required opportunities. The lack and inaccessibility of health services is a major threat to the women’s health. Politically women are mute in conformation to the traditional roles assigned to them. The lack of awareness amongst men and women about the importance of women’s participation and their rights is a major development constraint.

Most of the areas in Kohlu district are deprived of telephone, electricity, and gas – basic amenities of life – and no attention is being directed towards these issues. Postal services are not available to all human settlements. Tourism activities are minimal as no tourism infrastructure exists in the district.

Only one-fifth (18.4%) of the population has access to safe drinking water through PHED’s functional water supply schemes. More than a quarter of the water supply schemes, constructed by the PHED, are not functioning. Non-availability of safe drinking water is one of the major causes for gastrointestinal diseases among adults and diarrhoea among children.

Health status of the population is not satisfactory. Although doctors are available at the District Headquarters Hospital and other health facilities, specialised health care is not available to the inhabitants. For the whole of Kohlu district only one lady doctor is available at the DHQ Hospital which means no medical care for the women in far flung areas of the district. The centralised system of medicine procurement has its shortcomings as it cannot serve area-specific needs.

Girls within the district do not have equal educational opportunities, particularly in higher education. There is no girls’ college where girls can get education while abiding by their cultural values. Without female education, it may not be possible to get local female health or education professionals.

 There is an intense need for structural reforms in the district bureaucracy of Kohlu. Many of the government departments in Kohlu seem not as effective or efficient as they could be.