Total population
269,192 2023 Census
Chagai District
Chagai District is the largest district by area in Pakistan, located in Rakhshan Division. Covering approximately 44,748 km², the 2023 population stands at around 269,192. The district is predominantly rural with Baloch, Brahui, and Pashto-speaking communities. It is known for rich mineral resources including Reko Diq and Saindak, with limited agricultural potential. Literacy remains low at 33.15%, with significant gender gaps.
Basic information
Total area
44,748 km²
Administrative units
5 tehsils · 23 union councils
Administrative scale
Indicators
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Total population (2023 Census) | 269,192 |
| Total area | 44,748 km² |
| Tehsils / Sub-Divisions | 5 |
| Union councils | 23 |
Educational institutions
| Type | Count |
|---|---|
| Schools (government total) | 273 |
| Colleges | 3 |
Hospitals & health facilities
| Facility type | Count |
|---|---|
| Hospitals | 2 |
| BHU | 20 |
| RHU | 4 |
| Civil dispensaries | 11 |
Police
4 police stations (district total).
Courts by tehsil
| Tehsil | Courts |
|---|---|
| Additional Sessions Judge, Dalbandin | 1 |
| Judicial Magistrate, Taftan | 1 |
| Judicial Magistrate, Dalbandin | 1 |
| Judicial Magistrate, Nokundi | 1 |
| Civil Judge, Dalbandin | 1 |
Total: 5 civil courts.
Elected representation (Provincial Assembly, party mix)
National Assembly constituencies
| Constituency | Name (Party) |
|---|---|
| NA-260 Chagai-cum-Nushki-cum-Kharan-cum-Washuk | Mohammad Usman Badini (JUI (P)) |
Provincial Assembly constituencies
| Constituency | Name (Party) |
|---|---|
| PB-33 Chagai | Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani (Balochistan Awami Party) |
Priority issues & challenges
1. Education
Severe infrastructural deficits; many rural government schools lack boundary walls and clean drinking water.
2. Health
As Pakistan's largest district by land area, primary health units are scattered miles apart, leaving thousands without immediate medical assistance.
3. Livelihood and Climate Vulnerabilities
The local economy is natural-resource-dependent and subsistence-based. Extreme summer temperatures drive land degradation.