Mastung District

Mastung District (مستونگ دمگ; Brahui and ) is a district located in the northwest of Balochistan province, Pakistan. Prior to its creation as a separate district in 1991, Mastung was part of Kalat District.

Administration
The district consists of three Tehsils:
 * Tehsil Dasht Mastung
 * Kardigap
 * Mastung

Prior to 2006, the three tehsils contained 12 union councils: Khadkoocha, Ghulam Parenz, Karez Noth, Mastung-1, Mastung-2, Sorgaz, Tehsil Dasht, Isplinji, Kanak, Shaikh Wasil, Kardigap and Soro. In 2006, one additional union council formed with the name of Alizai, making the total union councils to 13.

Demographics
At the time of the 2017 census, the district had 38,263 households and a population of 266,461. Mastung had a sex ratio of 932 females per 1000 males and a literacy rate of 39.66% - 49.69% for males and 28.92% for females. 34,997 (13.17%) of population lived in urban areas. 34.97% of the population was under 10 years of age. 775 (0.29%) people in the district were from religious minorities, mainly Hindus.

At the time of the 2017 census, 85.93% of the population spoke Brahui, 8 % Balochi and 3% Pashto as their first language.

Education
According to the Pakistan District Education Rankings 2017, district Mastung is ranked at number 74 out of the 141 ranked districts in Pakistan on the education score index. This index considers learning, gender parity and retention in the district.

Literacy rate for 2014–15 of population 10 years and older in the district stands at 59% whereas for females it is only 38%.

Post primary access is a major issue in the district with 79% schools being at primary level. Compare this with high schools which constitute only 8% of government schools in the district. This is also reflected in the enrolment figures for 2016–17 with 15,842 students enrolled in class 1 to 5 and only 642 students enrolled in class 9 and 10.

Gender disparity is another issue in the district. Only 36% schools in the district are girls’ schools. Access to education for girls is a major issue in the district and is also reflected in the low literacy rates for females.

Moreover, the schools in the district lack basic facilities. According to Alif Ailaan district education rankings 2017, the district is ranked at number 107 out of the 155 districts of Pakistan for primary school infrastructure. At the middle school level, it is ranked at number 115 out of the 155 districts. These rankings take into account the basic facilities available in schools including drinking water, working toilet, availability of electricity, existence of a boundary wall and general building condition. 4 out of 5 schools do not have electricity in them. More than half the schools lack a toilet and 1 out 3 schools do not have a boundary wall. 3 out of 5 schools do not have clean drinking water.

Notable people

 * Malik Saeed Dehwar