Total population
1,501,089
Khushab District
Known globally for Khewra salt mines and strong rice-processing activity, Khushab links Khushab City and Jauharabad with mining, light industry, and nuclear-sector facilities. Terrain ranges from salt range hills to fertile plains. This page summarises district statistics, services, elected representation, and priority development challenges.
Basic information
Total area
6,511 sq. km
Administrative units
4 tehsils · 48 union councils · 318 villages
Administrative scale
Indicators
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Total population | 1,501,089 |
| Tehsils | 4 |
| Union councils | 48 |
| Villages | 318 |
| Total area | 6,511 sq. km |
Educational institutions
| Type | Count |
|---|---|
| Schools | 1,071 |
| Colleges | 18 |
Hospitals
| Facility type | Count |
|---|---|
| DHQ hospital | 01 |
| THQ hospitals | 04 |
Elected representation (party mix)
Based on listed MNAs and MPAs (NA-87–88, PP-81–84). Vacant seats shown separately.
Key challenge indicators (%)
Share of rural households on contaminated hand pumps and unemployment-to-population ratio. Roads and health are described in the narrative.
National Assembly constituencies
| Constituency | Member (party) |
|---|---|
| NA-87 Khushab-I | MNA Malik Shakir Bashir Awan (PML-N) |
| NA-88 Khushab-II | MNA Mr. Gul Asghar Khan (Istehkam Pakistan Party, IPP) |
Provincial Assembly constituencies
| Constituency | Member (party) |
|---|---|
| PP-81 Khushab-I | MPA Hassan Malik (Independent) |
| PP-82 Khushab-II | MPA Muhammad Asif Malik (PML-N) |
| PP-83 Khushab-III | Vacant |
| PP-84 Khushab-IV | MPA Fateh Khaliq (Independent) |
Priority issues & challenges
1. Road infrastructure
Khushab’s 1,704 km of key roads remained in severe disrepair for over a decade until FY 2025, causing travel disruptions, accidents, and economic losses.
2. Water crisis
72% of rural households still rely on contaminated hand pumps; at Noorpur Thal and Quaidabad tehsils the situation is worst. The groundwater table dropped 8 feet since 2023.
3. Health
Heavy pressure on health facilities: on average one hospital is available per 310,000 population, including 1 DHQ and 4 THQs. The bed-to-patient ratio is about 2,527 persons per bed (including RHC and BHU beds).
4. Economic and employment
Limited industrialisation means fewer employment opportunities. The unemployment-to-population ratio is 11.4%.