Zhob

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Zhob, (Urdu: ژوب ) the capital of Zhob District,is a small city in the Balochistan province of Pakistan.^[1] Zhob is located on banks of Zhob River at 31°20'32N 69°26'55E and has an altitude of 1426m (4681ft).^[2] The city was originally known as Appozai named after a nearby village, during the colonial era it was named Fort Sandeman, it obtained its current name in 30 July, 1976 when the then Prime Minister of Pakistan, Bhutto had the name changed.^[3]

1 Overview
2 History
3 Transport
4 See also
5 References
6 External links

[edit] Overview

Zhob means bubbling water. It refers to the karez water which pops up everywhere when there is no drought situation. Zhob town is just east of Zhob river on an open plain and lies near to Afghanistan. To the north is a ridge, about 150 ft high, on which is a castle from the time when the British colonised the area. In the winter, the weather is cold and the snow is normal. In the summer, although the temperature can get up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, there is little moisture, so it is not uncomfortable.

[edit] History

Until the Zhob Valley expedition of 1884 the area was practically unknown to Europeans, and in 1889 the Zhob Valley and Gomal Pass were taken under the control of the British Government.^[4] In December 1889 the town of Zhob, then known as Apozai, was occupied by the British and named Fort Sandeman after Sir Robert Sandeman.

In 1890 the district of Zhob was formed with Fort Sandeman, as the capital. The population according to the 1901 census of India was 3552, the garrison included a Native cavalry and a Native infantry regiment and was also the headquarters of the Zhob Levy Corps. In 1894 a supply of water from the Saliaza valley was established - this allowed irrigation and planting of fruits and trees as well as drinking water.^[5]

[edit] Transport

Zhob is the terminus of a branch railway of Pakistan Railways. In 2006 the narrow gauge of this branch was converted to broad gauge. The Zhob line junctions off the Chaman line north of Quetta.