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Avaran District In Balochistan, Pakistan


Awaran District (Urduضلع اواران) is a district in the south of the Balochistan province of Pakistan. It was notified as a separate district on 11 November 1992. It is considered the poorest district in the province.

Population

  • 1998 census: 118,173
  • 2005 estimate: over 200,000


Administration

The district is administratively subdivided into the following tehsils, which include eight union councils:


Demographics

Over 98% of the people of the area are Muslims and a small Zikri minority.


Agriculture

Agricultural production in the district is very limited with wheat being the principal crop. Besides wheat, barley is the other major Rabi cropKharif crops are fruits andpulses.


References

  1. ^ Awaran UN profile. Retrieved 06 September 2010.
  2. a b c Awaran District Population Census Organisation, Government of Pakistan. Retrieved 06 September 2010.
  3. ^ Awaran District Balochistan Flood Assessment pg 6. July 2007 PDI,Khuzdar. Retrieved 06 September 2010.
  4. a b c Awaran District Balochistan Flood Assessment pg 4. July 2007 PDI,Khuzdar. Retrieved 06 September 2010.
  5. ^ Tehsils & Unions in the District of Awaran - Government of Pakistan




Comments

  1. When it comes to development and communication infrastructure, few areas of Balochistan are more neglected and lacking in basic necessities than the earthquake-stricken Awaran. Houses are made of mud, there is no road leading up to the area and the district is not linked to the national grid. A power generator purchased by the provincial government in 1998 supplies electricity to some parts of Awaran but only for a couple of hours each day. The town truly epitomises the shoddy infrastructure of the province, where most of the towns lack basic facilities — from clean drinking water to electricity.
    Recently, I interviewed the head of the United Nations in Pakistan. Citing the extreme poverty of the people in Awaran, he expressed keen interest in helping the Balochistan government with rebuilding efforts. Because the town is prone to earthquakes, he pledged to use UN expertise to rebuild houses and shelters. The offer was extended because the people are extremely poor and in need of earthquake-proof structures. But the UN has not been permitted to help these neglected people. And this fact suggests that something is really wrong in Balochistan; something that acceptance of the UN assistance might bring to light.
    The state is not in a position to construct earthquake-proof houses and infrastructure in Awaran because it lacks the expertise and funds to do so.
    The chief minister of Balochistan recently issued a statement admonishing the National Highway Authority for its failure to release funds earmarked for ongoing highway projects, which have remained unfinished for decades. Given this state of affairs, it is safe to assume that the promised rebuilding of the houses destroyed by the earthquake is little more than a pipe dream. The prime minister recently promised to either provide funds, or direct government institutions, to rebuild homes. I would propose that he instead accept the help of international aid agencies to rebuild the area.
    Awaran drew international attention because of the devastating effects of the earthquake. Otherwise, it was just another neglected town with no facilities. Casting suspicion on the loyalty of the local people and barring international aid organisations from helping to alleviate their suffering will only further fuel the mistrust that already afflicts the region. The people of Awaran deserve better. They deserve a government response that puts the needs of the people first; even if that means accepting help from outside.
    Published in The Express Tribune, December 4th, 2013.

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  2. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has appealed to Baloch separatists to renounce violence, join the national mainstream and play their role in putting the country on the road to peace and prosperity.
    “I appeal to the people who opted for the wrong path, please leave this path. Lay down your weapons because fighting leads to nowhere. Help the government eliminate terrorism and bring development and economic stability,” he said referring to, but without naming, Baloch separatists.
    “We’ve no enmity nor do we believe in vendetta. You people are our brothers, our children. Come and join hands with the government for the economic good of your country,” said the prime minister who visited the earthquake-hit Awaran district of Balochistan on Friday.
    On the occasion, he announced monetary compensation for all those affected by the September 24 temblor: Rs500,000 for each family that lost a member and Rs150,000 for each injured. Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar, Commandant Southern Command Lt Gen Naseer Janjua and other officials accompanied the prime minister.
    The prime minister announced that his government would rebuild the quake-ravaged Awaran and turn it into a ‘model town’ and provide all basic facilities.
    “The government will electrify Awaran with solar power to ensure 24 hours uninterrupted supplies, and build dams to meet the need of water and irrigate the area. My government will make Awaran a ‘model district’ at par with Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore,” he added. He also promised to improve the communication infrastructure by laying new roads.

    Currently, electricity is available for a couple of hours in Awaran and other remote areas of Balochistan while the road infrastructure is in a shambles.
    On international aid, the prime minister said that his government has refused foreign help for the rehabilitation of quake survivors. “We don’t need help from outside. Balochistan government is mine. It’s our shared responsibility,” he added. Federal and provincial governments will work together to rebuild Awaran.”
    Earlier, the provincial administration requested the federal government in a letter to allow international aid into Awaran as Balochistan was not capable of rehabilitating the survivors on its own.
    The prime minister lauded the rescue and relief efforts carried out by Pakistan Army.
    The provincial chief minister thanked the premier for his announcements. “I appeal to the people of Awaran to not leave the district where their ancestors are buried. The government will provide jobs and other facilities,” he said.
    Published in The Express Tribune, November 9th, 2013.

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