Loralai (Balochistan)

 

Loralai, also known as Spin Bori, is a district in Balochistan at the distance of 215 km from Quetta at an elevation of 4,700 feet above sea level on Pishin-Loralai Road. Its old name was Bori. The district is also famous for the growth of best quality almond.

Loralai is bounded by Killa Saifullah, Zhob, Ziarat, Musakhel, Harnai, and Kohlu districts. It is also connected with railway track on Quetta-Rohri track. The National Highway N-70 runs across the center of the district to access all of its major towns. Same road is also connected with Kuchlak-Zhob Highway N-50 in Killa Saifullah. It is also connected with Pishin-Loralai road via Kuchlak-Zhob Highway N-50 to access eastern part of the district. Loralai-Sinjawi road is another alternative to access the district from the Ziarat city as well as same passage can be used to access the lower area of the district.

Loralai is an old city in Balochistan and it remained under the control of rulers of Afghanistan as well as the Mughal Emperors. The ruins of a fort built during the Mughal empire can be seen in the town. After the fall of the Mughal Empire, it was taken by the British and the British Government built a military cantonment in Duki town in 1883.

Loralai district is situated in the various mountain ranges of the Sulaiman Mountain Range. The Loralai River, the Kohat Manda, and several fresh water streams flow down in the gorges of these mountains. These are the main source of water and abundantly available in the district and is used to irrigate land along these streams to grow various crops and vegetables. Different crops such as wheat, rice, millet, and corn are cultivated in its fertile land. There are several lush green fruit orchards along these streams, those are famous for the production of different fruits such as apples, almonds, apricots, pears, cherries, pomegranates, etc.

The Karakuli Mountain, also known as Chinali, is located in Chinijan village in the district of Loralai. It is famous for its unique structure of large size of rock. It is table-top mountain having an area about 9 km with a length of 4 km from one end to other and average width of nearly a half kilometer. The height of its rocky formation is nearly one thousand feet from its base, where it has an elevation of 7,835 feet from sea level. There is no tree at the top, but different types of wild shrubs and herbs are available on the top. The outer structure of the rocky formation gives scenic view of multi-color rocks and layers. Due to vast plain area around the mountain, it can be seen from the distance and one can see a magnificient panoramic view of the mountain from the Chinali village. It is located nearly 40 km from Loralai town and accessible via National Highway N-70 and turn left on a small road near the border between Killa Saifullah and Loralai districts.

The ruins of the Mughal era fort is located on the National Highway near Jogezai town in the Loralai district. It was constructed in initial period of the Mughal Empire after getting the control of the area.

Pathankot is lush green valley of fruit orchards at a distance of nearly 5 km from the town of Loralai. It is beautiful and attractive place while going toward Ziarat on the Loralai-Sinjawi road. It is a best picnic point in the Loralai district.

Loralai is also enriched in coal production in various location and it is the one of the main profession of the people of the district. It is also known for the production of different varieties of best quality marble.

The weather of the Loralai dstrict is extreme hot in summer season, whereas temperate is moderate in valleys of high altitude. In some of its valley, the weather is much pleasant in the summer season too. In winter season, weather becomes much cool and pleasant. There is a considerable amount of rainfalls in the monsoon period during July to September as well as in the winter season due to western breeze.