Hub Tehsil
{{Short description|Pakistani administrative area}}
{{Use Pakistani English|date=May 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Hub
| other_name =
| native_name = {{langx|bal|{{Nastaliq|تحصیل حب}}}}
| settlement_type = Tehsil of Hub District
| image_skyline = Hub_Tehsil,_Pakistan_-_panoramio.jpg
| imagesize =
| image_caption = Rural landscape of Hub Tehsil
| pushpin_map = Balochistan Pakistan#Pakistan
| coordinates = {{coord|25|02|0|N|66|53|0|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{Pak}}
| subdivision_type1 = Province
| subdivision_name1 = Balochistan
| subdivision_type2 = District
| subdivision_name2 = Hub District
| subdivision_type3 = Headquarter
| subdivision_name3 = Hub
| area_total_km2 = 868
| area_metro_km2 =
| elevation_m =
| elevation_ft =
| elevation_footnotes =
| population_total = 233,443
| population_as_of = 2023
| population_density_km2 = 268.94
| population_footnotes = {{cite web |title=Table 1: Area, Population by Sex, Sex Ratio, Population Density, Urban Population, Household Size and Annual Growth Rate, Balochistan |url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/table_1_balochistan_districts.pdf |website=pbs.gov.pk |publisher=Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, Census |access-date=27 May 2025 |language=en |date=2023}}
| population_urban = 195,661 (83.82%)
| population_density_urban_km2 =
| population_rural = 37,782 (16.18%)
| demographics_type1 = Literacy
| demographics1_title1 = Literacy rate
| demographics1_info1 = 44.35%{{cite web |title=Table 12 - Population (10 years and above) by Literacy Rate, Enrolment and Out of School Population by Sex and Rural/Urban, Census 2023
|url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/table_12_balochistan_district.pdf |website=pbs.gov.pk |publisher=Pakistan Bureau of Statistics |access-date=27 May 2025}}
| timezone = PST
| utc_offset1 = +5
| area_code =
| blank1_name_sec1 = Main languages
| blank1_info_sec1 = 159,481 Balochi, 23,405 Sindhi, 10,014 Pashto{{cite web |title=Table 11: Population by Mother Tongue, Gender, and Rural/Urban Residence (Census 2023) |url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/table_11_balochistan_districts.pdf |website=pbs.gov.pk |publisher=Pakistan Bureau of Statistics |access-date=27 May 2025 |language=en}}
}}
Hub (also known as Hub Chowki {{langx|bal|{{Nastaliq|حب چوکی}}}}, {{langx|ur|{{Nastaliq|حب}}}}, {{IPA|ur|/hʌb/|pron|}}) is an administrative subdivision (tehsil) of Hub District in the province of Balochistan, Pakistan. As of the 2023 census, the tehsil has a population of 233,443, with over 80% residing in urban areas, including the administrative centre, the city of Hub. Formerly part of Lasbela District, the tehsil became part of the newly established Hub District in 2022 following administrative reforms.{{cite news |last1=Shahid |first1=Saleem |title='Hub' becomes 35th district of Balochistan |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1708293 |access-date=27 May 2025 |work=Dawn.com |publisher=Dawn |date=4 September 2022 |language=en}} The new district comprises the tehsils Hub, Dureji, Gadani, Sakran, and Sonmiani.{{cite web |title=Lasbela bifurcated, Hub made new district |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1673011/lasbela-bifurcated-hub-made-new-district |work=Dawn |date=3 February 2022 |access-date=27 May 2025}} Administratively, Hub Tehsil is divided into seven Union Councils.{{cite web|url=http://www.nrb.gov.pk/lg_election/union.asp?district=81&dn=Lasbella|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120805080130/http://www.nrb.gov.pk/lg_election/union.asp?district=81&dn=Lasbella|title=Tehsils & Unions in the District of Lasbella|website=National Reconstruction Bureau, Government of Pakistan website|archive-date=5 August 2012|access-date=10 May 2023}}
Location
Hub tehsil spans an approximately 868 square kilometres and lies along the northwestern banks of the Hub River. Its geography reflects arid, hilly terrain characteristic of much of Balochistan. While predominantly dry, there are limited patches of arable land that support small-scale agriculture. The tehsil borders Gadani to the southwest, Sonmiani to the northwest, and Dureji to the north. Across the Hub River to the south and east lie the Sindh districts of Hub River are Malir and Keamari.{{cite web |title=Lasbela (District, Balochistan) |url=https://citypopulation.de/en/pakistan/balochistan/admin/215__lasbela/ |website=citypopulation.de |access-date=27 May 2025 |language=en |date=26 August 2024}}
Population
{{Historical populations|1951|...|1961|9042|1972|10391|1981|14477|1998|80934|2017|205,487|2023|233,443|align=left|percentages=pagr|footnote=Sources:Source: Pakistan Bureau of Statistics:{{cite web |title=Table 4: Area and Population of Administrative Units by Rural/Urban: 1951–1998 Censuses
|url=https://repository.lahoreschool.edu.pk/xmlui/bitstream/handle/123456789/13673/Administrative%20Units.pdf |publisher=Pakistan Bureau of Statistics |website=Lahore School of Economics |access-date=3 June 2025}}}} According to the 2023 national census, Hub tehsil has is home to 233,443 residents across 37,994 households, 30,139 in urban areas and 7,855 are in rural settings.{{cite web |title=Table 24: Housing Characteristics, Facilities of Toilet and Washroom Used by Households, Rural/Urban: Census 2023 |url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/table_24_balochistan_districts.pdf |website=pbs.gov.pk |publisher=Pakistan Bureau of Statistics |access-date=27 May 2025 |language=en |date=2023}} The tehsil has a predominantly urban character, with the majority of the population residing in the town of Hub, its administrative headquarters.
The overall literacy rate stands at 44.35%, with a male literacy rate of 53.87% and a female literacy rate of 34.34%, highlighting ongoing disparities in educational access, particularly for women.
Economy
Hub's proximity to Karachi, just across the provincial border with Sindh, has positioned it as one of Balochistan's most significant industrial hubs.{{cite book |editor1-last=Haider Ali |editor1-first=Mahvash |editor2-last=Dinshaw |editor2-first=Ruxshin Cyrus |title=A handbook on Pakistan's coastal and marine resources |date=2016 |publisher=Mangroves for the Future |location=Karachi |isbn=978-969-643-019-3 |page=21 |url=http://m.mangrovesforthefuture.org/assets/Repository/Documents/A-Handbook-on-Pakistan-Coastal-and-Marine-Resources.pdf |access-date=27 May 2025 |language=en}} Hub's industrial development began in 1979, when 1,326 acres (5.37 km²) were allocated for industrial, commercial, and residential purposes—700 acres specifically for industrial estates.{{cite web |last1=Sharif |first1=Saher |title=Hub, the industrial backbone of Balochistan |url=https://voiceofbalochistan.pk/opinions-and-articles/economic-development/hub-the-industrial-backbone-of-balochistan/ |website=voiceofbalochistan.pk |publisher=Voice of Balochistan |access-date=27 May 2025 |language=en |date=26 September 2018}} The Lasbela Industrial Estate Development Authority (LIEDA), established in 1986, oversees the development and regulation of these zones. Currently, approximately 135 industrial units operate under LIEDA and more than 200 industrial units are operating in Hub.{{cite news |title=Hub: traffic hazards |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1204539 |access-date=27 May 2025 |work=Dawn.com |publisher=Dawn |date=3 September 2015 |language=en}} Jointly developed industrial parks by the governments of Sindh and Balochistan further attract investors, particularly those from Karachi, enabling them to leverage the close logistical ties between the two provinces.
Key sectors include:
- Oil and Energy: Major installations include Byco Petroleum, Bosicor Oil Refineries, and HUBCO Power Project.{{cite news |title=1,320MW power project under CPEC becomes operational |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/514033-1-320mw-coal-fired-power-project-under-cpec-becomes-operational |access-date=27 May 2025 |work=thenews.com.pk |publisher=The News International |date=19 August 2019 |language=en}}
- Cement: DG Khan Cement Company's Hub Project, a high-capacity plant with 9,000 tons-per-day production unit, benefits from local limestone reserves and adequate transport infrastructure.{{cite news |last1=Siddiqui |first1=Salman |title=DG Khan Cement's Hub plant to come online by December this year |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1460333/dg-khan-cements-hub-plant-come-online-december-year |access-date=27 May 2025 |volume=tribune.com.pk |publisher=The Express Tribune |date=17 July 2017 |language=en}}
- Services: A growing presence of textile companies, HR firms, software companies, and telecom service providers further diversify the local economy.
Hub's industrial relevance is expected to increase with the ongoing development of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which promises improved infrastructure, enhanced trade routes, and new investment opportunities.{{cite news |title=Hub bridge reconstruction completes: Key link between Sindh, Balochistan restored |url=https://samaa.tv/2087328596-hub-bridge-reconstruction-completes-reconnecting-sindh-balochistan |access-date=27 May 2025 |work=samaa.tv |publisher=Samaa TV |date=27 May 2025 |language=English}}
Despite its industrial expansion, Hub faces persistent urban challenges. Overburdened road infrastructure, heavy traffic congestion, and inadequate municipal services strain everyday life and industrial operations. Political rivalry among local parties sometimes disrupts governance and public order, impacting both residents and business continuity.