The district functions as a very important administrative level in the administration of Pakistan. It derives its structure and functioning from the time of colonial rule. Almost all important departments, nation building, social welfare and essential services are present at district level. Every district department is headed by an officer. To a large extent the position and role of the Deputy Commissioner is that of a co-ordinator and controller. Some departments have lower level branches on the sub-division levels of tehsil and sub-tehsil level.

Federal departments, like the postal department, T&T, WAPDA, Election Commission, ID Cards etc. are also functioning at district level. However, the heads of many of these departments have not moved to the district, but reside elsewhere.

Similarly, many district heads of different provincial departments have not shifted their headquarters to Jhall Magsi even after five years of its notification as a district. For instance, the headquarters of the Public Health Engineering Department is at Sibi, B&R at Dera Murad Jamali, SP at Dera Murad Jamali and DEO female at Dadhar.

No department for women’s welfare is operating at the district level. Still, as the district is a very important administrative unit, a women development department at this level is badly needed. Women's participation in different sectors, like education, health, social welfare etc. is increasing fast. They are facing difficulties and un-solvable problems, which could be better understood and solved by a women development department.

The role of the Deputy Commissioner in the district is crucial. It was fixed during British rule. Though in theory it has not changed, in practice it has gone through tremendous changes. The departments like B&R and Public Health Engineering have become more important due to the monetary benefits they can provide to influential people. Therefore, heads of these department have become stronger than the Deputy Commissioner. Similarly, District Health Officers (DHO) and District Education Officers (DEO) have more staff and public dealing than the Deputy Commissioner. Again heads of these departments do not pay much attention to the policy of the Deputy Commissioner. The result of this situation is lack of co-ordination.

MPAs, MNAs and Senators have also affected the role, position and power of the Deputy Commissioner. Now it is very difficult for a Deputy Commissioner to work against the wishes of these powerful people. In many cases, the Deputy Commissioner of a district is the choice of the MPA, MNA and/or Senator of the respective district. He is appointed as Deputy Commissioner based on the understanding, that he will follow the policy of the MNA. As a result, the role of Deputy Commissioner in relation to socio-economic development and planning has decreased to a large extent.

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