Total population
1,174,097 2023 Census
Jacobabad District
Jacobabad District in northern Sindh, with a population of approximately 1.1 million and an area of around 2,698 km², is a strategic trade, agricultural, and climate research hub. Located at the intersection of Sindh and Balochistan, it connects major transport routes linking Sindh with Quetta and northern Pakistan. Known as one of the world’s hottest places, with temperatures often exceeding 52°C, Jacobabad is a key site for studying extreme heat and climate change impacts. Supported by water from the Guddu Barrage, the district is a major rice-producing area. Founded by Brigadier-General John Jacob during the British era, it also holds historical importance through landmarks such as the Victoria Clock Tower.
Basic information
Total area
2,698 km²
Administrative units
3 tehsils · 15 union councils
Administrative scale
Indicators
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Total population (2023 Census) | 1,174,097 |
| Total area | 2,698 km² |
| Tehsils / Sub-Divisions | 3 |
| Union councils | 15 |
Educational institutions
| Type | Count |
|---|---|
| Schools (government total) | 1270 |
| Colleges | 22 |
Hospitals & health facilities
| Facility type | Count |
|---|---|
| DHQ | 1 |
| Type-D Hospitals | 2 |
| RHC | 3 |
| BHU | 17 |
| MCH | 4 |
Police
23 police stations (district total).
Courts by tehsil
| Tehsil | Courts |
|---|---|
| Jacobabad | 8 |
| Thal | 4 |
| Garhi Khairo | 1 |
Total: 13 civil courts.
Elected representation (Provincial Assembly, party mix)
National Assembly constituencies
| Constituency | Name (Party) |
|---|---|
| NA-190 Jacobabad | Muhammad Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani (PPPP) |
| NA-191 Jacobabad-cum-Kashmore | Ali Jan Mazari (PPPP) |
Provincial Assembly constituencies
| Constituency | Name (Party) |
|---|---|
| PS-13 Jacobabad-I | Mahmood Ali Khan Panhwar (PPPP) |
| PS-14 Jacobabad-II | Naseer Khan Khoso (PPPP) |
| PS-15 Jacobabad-III | Sohrab Khan Sarki (PPPP) |
| PS-16 Jacobabad-IV | Mehboob Ali Khan Bijrani (PPPP) |
| PS-17 Jacobabad-V | Ghulam Abid Khan Sundrani (MMA) |
| PS-18 Jacobabad-VI | Imtiaz Ahmed Alias Tariq Sheikh (PML-Q) |
Priority issues & challenges
1. Road infrastructure
Road infrastructure in Jacobabad is in a dilapidated condition, causing severe logistic bottlenecks along the critical N-65 highway connection to Balochistan.
2. Water crisis
Jacobabad is facing a severe water crisis, with 68% of rural households forced to depend on highly contaminated, shallow hand pumps.
3. Health
Healthcare facilities in Jacobabad are under severe strain, as the 133-bed DHQ (JIMS) and primary clinics serve a population of 1.12 million.
4. Unemployment
Jacobabad has a high youth unemployment rate due to a complete absence of large-scale, non-energy industrial manufacturing operations.
5. Environmental challenges
The local canal network is heavily polluted, with unchecked municipal sewage and extreme seasonal heatwaves severely compromising the district's public health.