Paktika Province of Afghanistan

Paktika is one of the 34 provinces of Afghanistan. It is in the south-east of the country. Most of the population is Pashtun. Its capital is Sharan.

History;

Paktika was once part of a greater province Paktia, which has itself now further split into Khost province. The province was the site of many battles during the Soviet occupation of the country and the lawless years that followed.

Geography;

Paktika is bordered on the north by Paktia Province and Khost Province, and by North Waziristan and South Waziristan in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan to the east. The western border is shared with Ghazni Province and Zabul Province, while Balochistan, Pakistan is on its southern flank.

Like many areas of the country, Paktika has been heavily deforested. This has been one of the causes of devastating flooding in recent years.

District	Population
Barmal	88,028
Dila	50,203
Gayan	42,495
Gomal	64,275
Jani Khel	35,251
Mata Khan	19,758
Nika	15,103
Omna	25,690
Sar Hawza	36,236
Sarobi	48,291
Sharan	54,416
Terwa	15,332
Urgun	89,718
Waza Khwa	50,818
Wor Mamay	30,135
Yahya Khel	30,161
Yosuf Khel	32,648
Zarghun Shahr	38,024
Ziruk	43,190

Capital;

Sharan

Area;

19,482 km² (7,522 sq mi)

Population;

393,800 (2009)

Main Language;

Pashto