Surab Tehsil
Surab Tehsil, is an administrative sub-subdivision of Surab District, in central Balochistan, Pakistan. It lies about northwest of Khuzdar, and south from Kalat, forming the northern part of the district.
According to the 2023 national census, the tehsil has a population of 95,469. Agriculture, particularly the cultivation of temperate fruit and winter vegetables, forms the basis of the local economy, though yields are constrained by chronic by chronic water scarcity. oultry farming is also present, including a government-run facility in Surab.
Geography
[Covering an area of approximately, equivalent to 30.6% of the district's total area, Surab Tehsil is largely arid and mountainous. Elevations generally exceed, with some peaks rising above.Vegetation is sparse and drought-adapted, including species such as Capparis aphylla, Periploca aphylla, and Caralluma tuberculata. The tehsil is prone to earthquakes, floods, and droughts, and includes sections of the Central Brahui Range of the Sulaiman Mountains.
Climate
Situated at an elevation of above sea level, Surab has a cold desert climate. The average annual temperature is, over 5% higher than Pakistan's averages. Surab typically receives about of precipitation and has 26.75 rainfall per year.Population
The 2023 census recorded 95,469 residents in 15,389 households. The population density is relative is about 409 persons per square kilometre. The literacy rate is 34.34%, with significant gender disparities: 43.21% for males and just 25.99% for females, reflecting limited educational access, particularly for women and girls.Language
is spoken by about 95.4% of the population, followed by Balochi, , Pashto, and other languages.Insurgency
Since early 2000s, the province has been affected by unrest associated with the Insurgency in Balochistan.Armed groups, including the Balochistan Liberation Army, have sought greater political autonomy and control over local natural resources, though such resources are not a major factor in the tehsil or district. Security concerns compounded by persistent socio-economic challenges, including widespread poverty, inadequate healthcare and education, and underdeveloped infrastructure.