Pishin, Pakistan
| Pishin | |
|---|---|
| Town | |
  Pishin | |
| Coordinates: 30°35′05″N 66°59′41″E / 30.584809°N 66.994775°E | |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Elevation | 1,555 m (5,102 ft) |
| Population (1998) | |
| • Estimate (1998) | 20,479 |
| Time zone | PST (UTC+5) |
Pishin [P'shin or P'khin in Pashto (Pashto: پښين)] is a small town that is the capital of [1] the Pishin District of Balochistan province, Pakistan. Pishin connects Quetta, the provincial capital, to Afghanistan. It is considered part of the Pashtun belt of Balochistan, and it is the largest district of Pashtun tribes in the region. Due to its high population and vast area, a new tehsil, Huramzai, has been established.
History
Pishin was founded by the British Empire in 1883.[2] It played a role in the Anglo-Afghan Wars. Local tribes from the area assisted Baran Khan Tareen in fighting the British by attacking British military convoys en route to Afghanistan. During World War II, the British built two air bases in the district of Pishin; one is found near the town of Pishin and the other in Saranan.
Geography
Pishin is located in the north west of Balochistan. It lies at an altitude of 1555 metres (5104 feet),[3] and is located in the east of the province at 30°35'0N 67°0'0E near the border with Afghanistan. Tremors from the 2008 Pakistan earthquake were felt in the town.
Climate
In the summer, temperatures can reach up to 40 °C (104 °F). In the winter, temperatures can decrease to below freezing.
Agriculture
The region of the Pishin District is known in Balochistan for its fruit production. It supplies a variety of fruits such as; apples, from areas such as Gharshinn, Milkyar and Khanzai, grapes from Khanzai, Tora Shah, Thraatah and Ibrahimzai, pomegranates from Yasinzai, Humramzai and Gangalzai, and melons and watermelons, mostly from Khudazai.
Tribes
Pishin's main ethnic groups are Syed, Kakar, Tareen and Achakzai. There are also thousands of Christians in the city, in the Mohalla area.
Transportation
Transportation in Pishin is mostly by car or bus. The town connects with Quetta, Khanozai, Barshore, and Saranan. In 1883, a major railway and road were constructed to connect towns in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Notable people
- Kader Khan, popular Indian actor[4][5]
- Jennifer Musa, politician
- Jehangir Ashraf Qazi, diplomat, former Pakistani ambassador to United States
- Sultan Golden, motorcycle stuntman
- Syed Salahuddin Agha, who played a meaningful role in forming Pakistan in the 1940s and after its independence.
- Syed Liaquat Agha, former president of Pakistan Football Federation, president of Quetta chamber of commerce and currently a member of the Balochistan Assembly from Pishin. He is also chief of the Syed tribe.
- Sardar Ghulam Mustafa Khan Tareen, currently active Pashtun leader.
References
- ↑ Tehsils & Unions in the District of Pishin – Government of Pakistan
- ↑ "Pishin". Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2015. Web. 02 Apr. 2015 <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/461772/Pishin>.
- ↑ "Location of Pishin – Falling Rain Genomics". Retrieved 9 November 2014.
- ↑ "Biography of Kader Khan". OneIndia. Retrieved 2011-07-20.
- ↑ "Biography of Kader Khan". Filmy Friday. 2009-04-14. Retrieved 2011-07-20.
External links
Coordinates: 30°35′05″N 66°59′41″E / 30.584809°N 66.994775°E