Quicknation    Pakistan Quetta

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Quetta ) is the capital of the province Balochistan in Pakistan. Quetta word is derived from kwatta meaning 'fort' in Pushtu language. It is known as the fruit garden of Pakistan. It is located in a densely populated Quetta district in the northeast of the province. Quetta is situated in a river valley near the border with Afghanistan, with a road to Kandahar in the northwest.

Quetta has a population of about 650,000. The city is dominated by a Pashtun majority and a Balochi minority with an eclectic smattering of smaller groups. Pushto, Balochi, Persian (Hazaragi dialect), Brahui, Sindhi, Punjabi and Urdu languages are spoken in large parts of Quetta, giving the city a very multicultural feel.

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Quetta is a major tourist attraction for tourists from abroad. It is advertised as a thrilling location, full of adventure and enjoyment. Some prominent bazaars of Quetta are located on the roads Shahrah-e-Iqbal (the Kandahari Bazaar) and Shahrah-e-Liaquat (the Liaquat and Suraj Gang Bazaars). Here, tourists can find colorful handcrafted art, particularly the Balochi mirror work embroidery, which is admired all over the world. For those interested in local cuisine, there are many sumptuous dishes to feast upon. The "Sajji" (leg of lamb) is said to be very good by locals.

Quetta tribesmen are known for their friendliness and hospitality. Making visitors comfortable is an integral part of their local traditions. The main bazaar on Jinnah Road is full of Pathan traders wearing huge turbans, Baluchi hawkers with red embroidered caps, and full-skirted nomad women carrying bundles of imported cloth for sale.

Although Quetta is on the western edge of Pakistan, it is still connected with the country by a wide network of roads, railways and airways. Quetta is connected to Lahore by a 727 mile long railway line. Similarly it is also connected by railways with Peshawar (986 miles away) and Karachi, which is 536 miles away. Many Internet Service Providers and almost all major mobile phone companies are operating in Quetta.

People of Quetta are huge football fans. This city has produced more renowned footballers then any other part of Pakistan. Football is still widely played in Quetta. "Mali Bagh" is the famous foot ball ground. The famous footballers include Qayum Changezi, Taj Muhammad Senior and Taj Muhammad Junior.

Quetta has many higher education institutions. The prestigious military Command and Staff College, which was founded by the British, recently celebrated its hundredth anniversary. University of Balochistan was established in 1974. The Balochistan University of Information Technology and Management Sciences is also located in Quetta.