Kachhi or Kacchi, previously known until 2008 as Bolan District, is a district located in the central part of the Balochistan province in Pakistan. The Bolan area remained under one district Kacchi until 31 December 1991. The Deputy Commissioner's office started functioning on 17 May 1992, and Bolan became one of the four districts of Naseerabad Division, until the abolition of Divisions in 2000. In 2013, it was announced that the tehsil of Bhag would split off to form part of the new Lehri District.

History

The Kachhi Plains are the home of the archeological site of Mehrgarh. One of the most important Neolithic sites in archaeology, lies on what is now the Kachhi Plain of today's Balochistan, Pakistan. It is one of the earliest sites with evidence of farming (wheat and barley) and herding (cattle, sheep and goats) in South Asia. Until the end of the 15th century Mehargarh was ruled by Meena tribe. Around 1500, it was taken by Shah Beg of the Arghun dynasty from the Samma dynasty of the Sultans of Sindh. The territory was conquered by the Kalhora Amirs of Sindh, who were themselves displaced by Nadir Shah of Persia. Shah gave the territory to Kalat Khanate in 1740. Kachhi was notified as a district in February 1965. At that time Naseerabad, Jhal Magsi and Jafarabad districts were included; these were separated in 1987.

Administrative divisions

The district is administratively subdivided into the following Tehsils: The Union councils of Kachhi District are:

Demographics

Population

According to 2023 census, the district had a population of 442,674.

Religion

In the 2023 census, Islam was the predominant religion with 98.62%, while Hindus were 0.89% of the population.

Language

At the time of 2023 census, 58.88% of the population spoke Balochi, 17% Sindhi, 12.29% Saraiki and 10.25% Brahui as their first language.

Education

According to the Pakistan District Education Rankings 2017, district Kachhi is ranked at number 109 out of 141 ranked districts in Pakistan on the education score index. This index considers learning, gender parity and retention in the district. Literacy rate in 2014–15 of population of 10 years and older in the district stood at 43% whereas for females it was only 23%. Post primary access is a major issue in the district with 86% schools being at primary level. Whereas with high schools it constitutes only 6% of government schools in the district. This is also reflected in the enrolment figures for academic year 2016–17 with 12,688 students enrolled in class 1 to 5 and only 261 students enrolled in class 9 and 10. Gender disparity in education is another issue in the district. Only 28% schools in the district are girls’ schools. Access to education for girls is a major issue in the district and is also reflected in the low literacy rates of females. Moreover, the schools in the district lack basic facilities. According to Alif Ailaan Pakistan District Education Rankings 2017, the district is ranked at number 139 out of the 155 districts of Pakistan for primary school infrastructure. At the middle school level, it is ranked at number 129 out of the 155 districts. These rankings take into account the basic facilities available in schools including drinking water, working toilet, availability of electricity, existence of a boundary wall and general building condition. More than half of the government schools in the district do not have the provision of electricity, toilet and a boundary wall. 213 out of 465 schools do not have clean drinking water.