Pishukan (Balochi: پیشُکان), is a town on the western shore of the Gwadar West Bay, north of the Arabian Sea, in Pakistan. It is a union council of Gwadar Tehsil in the Gwadar District of Balochistan province. The town has a population of 12,000.
Pishukan
پیشُکان | |
|---|---|
Union Council | |
 Pishukan, Balochistan | |
  Pishukan | |
| Coordinates: 25°07′N 62°04′E / 25.12°N 62.06°E | |
| Country |  Pakistan |
| Province | Balochistan |
| District | Gwadar |
| Government | |
| • Union Council Chairman | Ayub Taj |
| Population (1998) | |
• Total | 12,000 |
| Time zone | UTC+5 (PST) |
History
editThe town has been affected by the ongoing conflict between pro-independence Baloch nationalists and the Government of Pakistan. In May 2017 ten construction and road workers were killed by members of the Balochistan Liberation Army.[1]
Pishukan is a major conduit for people smuggling,[2] arms smuggling, and for drug smuggling. The town was mentioned in 1909 as the landing site for up to 1,500 rifles which were being smuggled into Balochistan.[3]
In February 2021, about 700 kg (1,500 lb) of hashish were seized by the Pakistan Navy and the Anti Narcotics Force from a vehicle in Pishukan.[4][5] In June 2022, the Indian Coast Guard intercepted 50 kg (110 lb) of heroin being transported from Pishukan to the coast of Kutch District in Gujarat, India.[6]
Climate
edit
Pishukan has a hot desert climate (Köppen climate classification BWh) with hot summers and warm winters. Most rainfall falls in winter, although there is sometimes a little rain in the monsoon season (July–August) as well. In January 2022 the town suffered from heavy flooding, resulting in the destruction of many mud houses.[7] Rescue efforts in the area were coordinated by the Pakistan Coast Guards.[8]
Fish harbour
editThe economy of the town has long been focussed on fishing with reports of this from as far back as 1908.[9] Plans for a new fishing harbour were announced in 2002.[10]
The town is expected to become a major commercial centre in concert with the development of the Port of Gwadar located about 27 kilometres (17 mi) to the east. There are plans for the fishing jetty of Gwadar to be moved to Pishukan at some point in the future.[11] An area of 1,000 acres (400 ha) has been earmarked for the use of the Pakistan Navy.[12]
Transport
editTransport facilities are dominated by the development of nearby Gwadar.
- The town is connected to the rest of Pakistan by the Makran Coastal Highway, which passes about 15 km (9.3 mi) to the north of the town.
- The main seaport is the Port of Gwadar, approximately 25 km (16 mi) to the east of the town.
- Gwadar Airport is the main airport for the area but the new Gwadar International Airport, approximately 50 km (31 mi) to the northeast of Pishukan, is due to become operational in late 2023.
See also
edit- Jiwani, a coastal town to the west of Pishukan
References
edit- ^ Zafar, Mohammad (13 May 2017). "Sickening violence: Gunmen kill 10 labourers execution-style in Gwadar". tribune.com.pk. The Express Tribune. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
- ^ Notezai, Muhammad Akbar; Butt, Waseem Ashraf (23 April 2018). "Human smuggling: a thriving racket". Dawn. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
- ^ "Administration Report of the Baluchistan Agency, Including the Districts of Quetta, Pishin, Thal Chotiali, and Sibi". New Quetta Book Stall. 1909. p. 3. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
- ^ "Pakistan Navy, ANF recover 700kg of drugs from Pishukan in joint-operation". The Express Tribune. 24 February 2021. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
- ^ "ANF seizes drugs worth $87.716m in 23 operations; 24 arrested". Pakistan Today. 5 March 2021. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
- ^ "Heroin Worth ₹250 Crore, Dumped By Pakistani Smugglers, Found In Gujarat". Press Trust of India / NDTV. 6 June 2022. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
- ^ "Asia and the Pacific: Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot (4 - 10 January 2022)". ReliefWeb. 11 January 2022. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
- ^ "Army extends emergency help to people trapped in Balochistan rains". Pakistan Today. 5 January 2022. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
- ^ Latimer, John Gordon (1908). "Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf: Geographical and Statistical". Superintendent Government Publishing. p. 587. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
- ^ "Four fish harbours planned". Dawn. 8 August 2002.
- ^ Janjua, Ibrahim (3 June 2017). "A dream Pakistan road trip: Karachi to Gwadar". Dawn. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
- ^ Ghumman, Mushtaq (26 January 2022). "Resolution of Gwadar land dispute in sight". Business Recorder. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
