Paktia Province

33°36′N 69°30′E / 33.6°N 69.5°E / 33.6; 69.5

Paktia
پکتیا
Aerial view of a fort in Gardez, the capital of Paktia province
Aerial view of a fort in Gardez, the capital of Paktia province
Map of Afghanistan with Paktia highlighted
Map of Afghanistan with Paktia highlighted
Country Afghanistan
CapitalGardez
Government
 • GovernorMuhammad Ali Jan Ahmad[1]
 • Deputy GovernorSheikh Aziz-ur-Rehman Mansoor[2]
Area
 • Total5,583 km2 (2,156 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[3]
 • Total622,831
 • Density110/km2 (290/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+4:30 (Afghanistan Time)
Postal code
22xx
ISO 3166 codeAF-PIA
Main languagesPashto

Paktia (Pashto پکتياPaktyā) is one of the 34 provinces of Afghanistan, located in the east of the country. Forming part of the larger Loya Paktia region, Paktia Province is divided into 15 districts and has a population of roughly 623,000,[3] which is mostly a tribal society living in rural areas. Pashtuns make up the majority of the population and a small percentage include Tajiks.[4] Gardez is the provincial capital. The traditional food in Paktia is known as (dandakai) which is made from rice and mung bean or green gram.

It's also significant for being the area where Operation Magistral by The Soviet Union took place. Late Nov, of 1987, to Jan, of 1988 is then it took place, when Soviet Forces retreated.[5]

In 2021, the Taliban gained control of the province during the 2021 Taliban offensive.

  1. ^ "د نږدې شلو ولایاتو لپاره نوي والیان او امنیې قوماندانان وټاکل شول". 7 November 2021.
  2. ^ "د پکتیا ولایت د ټولو ولسوالیو د مسؤلینو او امنیه قوماندانانو ګډه غونډه جوړه شوه – د افغانستان اسلامي امارت". 16 November 2021.
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference nsia was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference understandingwar was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Urban, Mark (1990). War in Afghanistan. London: Palgrave MacMillan. p. 231-33. ISBN 0-333-51477-7.