Loralai District (Urdu: ضلع لورالائی) is a district in the northeast of Balochistan province of Pakistan. The town of Loralai serves as the district headquarters.

Loralai District
ضلع لورالائی
لورالايي ولسوالۍ
لۏرالائی دمگ
Top: View of Rana Ghundi
Bottom: Chinjan
Map of Balochistan with Loralai Division highlighted
Map of Balochistan with Loralai Division highlighted
Coordinates: 30°20′N 69°00′E / 30.333°N 69.000°E / 30.333; 69.000
Country Pakistan
Province Balochistan
DivisionLoralai
HeadquartersLoralai
Government
 • TypeDistrict Administration
 • Deputy CommissionerKashif Nabi
 • District Police OfficerN/A
 • District Health OfficerN/A
Area
 • Total3,785 km2 (1,461 sq mi)
Population
 (2017)[2]
 • Total244,446
 • Density65/km2 (170/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+5 (PKT)
Main Language(s)Pashto

Demographics edit

At the time of the 2017 census the district had 32,681 households and a population of 244,446. Loralai district had a sex ratio of 873 females per 1000 males and a literacy rate of 42.42% - 56.99% for males and 25.46% for females. 54,849 (22.44%) lived in urban areas. 87,792 (35.91%) were under 10 years of age. 1,201 (0.49%) were from religious minorities.[2]

Languages of Loralai district (2017)

  Pashto (93.29%)
  Saraiki (1.68%)
  Balochi (1.48%)
  Punjabi (1.31%)
  Others (2.24%)

At the time of the 2017 census, 93.29% of the population spoke Pashto, 1.68% Saraiki, 1.48% Balochi and 1.31% Punjabi as their first language.[2]

Education edit

According to the Pakistan District Education Rankings, district Loralai is ranked at number 97 out of the 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 10 years and older in the district stands at 44% whereas for females it is only 22%.[3]

Post primary access is a major issue in the district with 89% schools being at primary level. Compare this with high schools which constitute only 3% of government schools in the district. This is also reflected in the enrolment figures for 2016–17 with 12,192 students enrolled in class 1 to 5 and only 586 students enrolled in class 9 and 10.

Gender disparity 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 for females.

Moreover, the schools in the district lack basic facilities. According to Alif Ailaan district education rankings 2017, the district is ranked at number 135 out of the 155 districts of Pakistan for primary school infrastructure. At the middle school level, it is ranked at number 137 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. 7 out of 10 schools do not have electricity in them. 3 out of 4 schools lack a toilet and more than half of the schools do not have a boundary wall. 2 out of 5 schools do not have clean drinking water.

Localities edit

References edit

  1. ^ PCO 1998, p. 1.
  2. ^ a b c "District Wise Results / Tables (Census - 2017)". www.pbscensus.gov.pk. Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
  3. ^ Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (2016). Pakistan Social and Living Standards Measurement Survey 2014-15. [online] Islamabad: Government of Pakistan, p.111. Available at: http://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files//pslm/publications/PSLM_2014-15_National-Provincial-District_report.pdf [Accessed 6 Aug. 2018].

Bibliography edit

  • 1998 District Census report of Loralai. Census publication. Vol. 118. Islamabad: Population Census Organization, Statistics Division, Government of Pakistan. 2000.

External links edit