The inhabitants of Zhob valley gave tough resistance to Mehmood Ghazni, when he initiated his raids on India. Later, however they joined ranks with him. Subsequently the area came under the rule of Nadir Shah from 1736 to 1747 and later Ahmed Shah Abdali from 1747 to 1773. Zhob remained under the rule of Durranis and Barakzais till British captured it. Preceding this event was a period of fifty years of anarchy when Zhob was dubbed as ‘Yaghistan” or the land of the rebels. A number of areas now in Zhob, Killa Saifullah, and Pishin districts were ceded to British India after signing of Durand Treaty in 1893. They soon became a district

Sir Robert Sandeman, the first Agent to the governor General in Balochistan occupied Zhob in 1889 extending his forward policy to the region with the subjugation of the tribes inhabiting the Suleman range and occupation and control of numerous passes through it to the south.  He also secured the great Gomal pass and the carvanic routes to Ghazani and Kandhar. Captain Mac Ivor had been appointed the first political agent in Zhob with formation as the Political Agency in 1890. Zhob district is the second oldest existing district of Balochistan, after Quetta.

Zhob was formed as a Political Agency under the British rule in 1890. The district and its town acquired the name of Zhob in 1975. Previously, it was known as Fort Sandeman after Sir Robert Sandeman; who was then Political Agent to the Governor General in Balochistan. It was Sir Robert Sandeman who extended British Rule into this region. The name was changed on July 30 1976 by the then Prime Minister of Pakistan; Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. The hand-written remarks inserted by him into the visitor’s book; preserved at the Zhob Militia Mess, says “Today we have taken a decision to eliminate the last vestige of colonialism in this historical place by changing the name to Zhob instead of Forte Sandeman; the British conqueror and oppressor of Pathan and Baloch people and of the country.” Traditionally, Fort Sandeman was called Appozai, named after a village situated two kilometers away.

• The Political Agent (DC) controls the “B” area through levies. The Levies is a traditional institution for maintenance of law and order. The strength of Police force in the district. While the strength of the Levies is 817 both Federal and Provincial Levies Forces.

Population             :           310,544

Urban                      :           46,248

Rural                      :           264,296

Zhob Tehsil           :           270,721

KKN Tehsil             :           40,423

Registered Voters           :           123070  (Male : 71334  Female 51736

Population Size and Growth:

         1998                 2017              Total            Average annual growth

         (1998 – 2017)

        193,458         (M) 168,358     310,544         ratio-118.41 / 2.52

                                 (F) 142,186

 The total area of the district is 15,287-square kilometers having population density 23.6 persons per square per square kilometer in May 2017 and house holds 45.962

The climate of the district is hot and dry in summer and cold in winter. June is the hottest month with mean maximum and minimum temperature of about 37°C and 23°C respectively. January is the coldest month with mean maximum and minimum temperature of about 13°C and -1°C degree respectively. The dust storms occur in summer from July to September accompanied by thunderstorms. In winters the wind blows from the west and is very cold. The winds from the Southwest and east are also common, the later invariably brings rain. The wind from the north occasionally blows during September to April bring drought and damage standing crops. Rainfall is scanty and varies with the altitude. Most of the rainfall is received during winter seasons.

Principal trees and plants found in Zhob district are wild olive (Shinay), pistachio, chilgoza or edible pine and wild almond in high lands. Other trees include willow, tamarisk (along the beds of streams) pastawana (grewia opposite folio) and spalnai (caltrops gigantean).

Wild animals are wolves, jackals, hyenas, foxes, deer, and porcupines. Leopards and black bear are occasionally found in the high hills in Suleman range. Wild pigs are seen along Zhob river while straight horned Markhors, wild goats, are present in moderate numbers in mountains. Among the game bird Chakor, partridge and pigeon are numerous i n higher altitudes, Sand grouse, quails, and bustard are found in plains. Other birds are doves, hoopoe, starlings and vegetal, Jay black birds, wood pigeons, cuckoos and thrush live in high ranges while wild duck and pelican are seen along the Zhob river in winter. Snake and scorpion are common everywhere in Zhob. Fish (Mahsir) are found in every running stream and in Zhob river some of which weigh up to 8 pounds.

Silyaza Zhob

Most Beautiful Tourism Picnic Place in Balochistan, Thousands of Tourists visit Silyaza, Zhob every weekend from all over Pakistan.

Zhob River is located in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The total length of the Zhob River is 410 km, and it flows on a generally northeasterly course. In the Pashto language, Zhob means “oozing water”.