Dusk Till Dawn: The Golden Desert, Nushki

By Tayyiba Naeem

Roving around a desert may sound boring but a Golden desert will leave you awe struck. Located in the province of Balochistan, Nushki lies in the plain southwest of Quetta and is at a height of about 2,900 feet. It is also called the city of Golden Desert because of a breathtaking desert that is stretched westward towards the river named Helmand. The dusk till dawn view in the desert apprises the soul and relief in affliction. The golden sand dunes can be sighted around the city stretching toward the Afghanistan border. It features Sand dunes like mountains but those are always in motion and changing shapes. Giving the tourist an exceptional sigh which is hard to find in any other region.

Nushki drew from two Balochi words “Nosh-Koh” which stands for finishing work, with the passage of time, this word was converted into “Nushki”. The administration of the Nushki district was taken over from the Khan of Kalat by the British government in 1896, and was leased from him on a perpetual quit rent in 1899.

The District lies between 65°07’42”- 66°18’45” East longitudes and 29°01’51”-29°52’37”North latitudes. The location of Nushki is 810 km (aerial distance) southwest (237 degrees bearing) of Pakistan’s Capital City Islamabad and 120 km southwest (233 degrees bearing) of Quetta City, the provincial capital of Balochistan.

The district is home to 178,796 people, according to the 2017 census, and it is a sparsely populated region with a population density of 30.69/km2 (19.06/sq mi). The city’s population makes it the 14th most populated city in Baluchistan. Brahui, Balochi, and Pashto are widely spoken languages. It is the home of Badini and many other tribes. Because of its proximity to Iran, some influence of the IranBaloch blend of culture is in vogue.

Nushki is a historical region that dates back centuries. For centuries it served as a passage and station for people traveling to Afghanistan and Iran. British Empire took a particular interest in this region to conquer neighboring areas such as Iran and Afghanistan.

District Nushki is situated 144 kilometers southwest of Quetta on the main RCD, highway. The mining concessions are granted for Chromite while some deposits of graphite are reported in the shape of stringers but the grade and size of the ore are not known. The deposits of Sheikh Wasal are located 3 Km northwest of the Sheikh Wasal, which is 72 km southwest of Quetta on Quetta Nushki road and railway line. The deposits occur at the crest of the Mashelakh Range. A working was developed about 55 meters in length in the southeast direction.

The region experiences sweltering and clear summers. Hot season average daily temperature varies from 26°C to 35°C. The average temperature during the winter season may range from 2.22°C to 20°C. The average rainfall during the whole year is approximately 22.86 mm.

The sports culture is thriving in this region. A playground has been built for people to play soccer under lights. People enjoy sports such as Football and Boxing. Whereas, the primary source of income is agriculture. High hills and deserts surround the region. The cultivation of supreme quality grapes, watermelons, and melons is abundant in this region. Additionally, several factories are also instrumental in generating a nominal amount of revenue and contributing to Pakistan’s economic growth. It is not an industrial town. However, some factories in the region provide work opportunities to the residents and people in nearby cities. Factory units include R.C. Pipes & Blocks, Ice Factory, and Chagai Roller Flour Mill.

National Highway N-40 connects Mustang, Nushki, and Chaghi and ends up on the Pak-Iran border. Travelers from throughout the country can reach by road. Several transport services are operating in this region. The railroad network at Nushki runs along the main road and connects the town with other cities. Nushki railway station was made operational in 1897 and it is the oldest Indo-Persian track built in the region. The small domestic airport, Nushki

Airport (NHS), is located in this city. Whereas, the nearest airports to the city are: Quetta International Airport (UET), 118.17 km, Moenjodaro Airport (MJD), 322.27 km, and Sukkur Airport (SKZ), 338.58 km.

A beautiful view of the blue water is located below sand dunes, wild trees, and bushes- a nonpareil sight however, at the moment it is topped up with flood water. The astonishing view of Zangi Nawar Dam Nushki is a tourist sight across many regions spreading over around 1100 acres of land. It is home to migratory birds from Russian Siberia and various parts of the world, and the birds visit annually in winter. The Government must focus on the promotion and protection of natural resources in order to encourage tourism in the country.

Visiting the places and writing about them aren’t just ‘destinations’ for authors and their readers. It’s a home, a solace, and an affinity to the land. To flourish on the huge horizon, the golden desert Nushki is a perfect escape to do so!