Paktika

Information Paktika

Paktika is a remote, mountainous province in southeastern Afghanistan bordering Pakistan, with a population of approximately 483,000 to 789,000, primarily composed of Pashtun tribes. Its capital is Sharana, though Urgun is a major commercial city. The province is characterized by the Shinkay Hills, tribal culture, and a 319 km border with Pakistan.
Key Information About Paktika Province:
• Geography: Paktika features rugged hills, deep valleys, and forests, with the Toba Kakar range along the Pakistani border. It is prone to natural disasters, experiencing a major earthquake in 2022.
• Administrative Divisions: The province is divided into 19 districts, including Sharana (capital), Urgun, Gayan, and Bermal.
• Demographics: The population is almost exclusively Pashtun, with strong tribal traditions.
• Economy: The economy is largely agrarian, with farming in southern, irrigated areas and grazing/rangeland in the center and north.
• Recent Events: Following the Taliban takeover in 2021, the province has seen continued, though often isolated, security incidents, including border tensions with Pakistan.
Key Districts:
• Sharana: Provincial capital.
• Urgun: Most populous city and economic hub.
• Bermal: Border district, often in the news regarding security.
• Gayan: Heavily impacted by the 2022 earthquake.