The provincial capital of Balochistan, Quetta has a quite different air from almost anywhere else in Pakistan. It’s an atmosphere borne of its relative geographic isolation. Set in a mountainous amphitheatre and surrounded by stony deserts. This is a frontier town, pure and simple.

Quetta city is comprised of a valley surrounded by three different mountain ranges. It is north west of Karachi and south west of Islamabad.
Quetta has minimum winter temperatures ranging well below freezing point and as low as -13°C (8.6°F), while maximum winter temperatures seldom crosses 30°C (68°F). Snowfall is a common feature in month of December and January.

Quetta is the ninth biggest city of Pakistan. 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 traders, many of them wearing turbans.

Football and Cricket are the popular sports in Quetta. Hockey, Tennis, Boxing and Karate are games in which Quetta has produced more renowned players then any other part of Pakistan

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
• Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering & Management Sciences
• Bolan Medical College
• Sardar Bahadur Khan Women University
• Tameer-i-Nau Public College

Although Quetta is on the western edge of Pakistan, is well connected with the country by a wide network of roads, railways, and airways.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), SereneAir and FlyDubair all have regular flights between Quetta and other major cities of Pakistan including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar. FlyDubai has a direct flight between Dubai and Quetta. Other international passengers traveling to Quetta can reach Quetta via any of the other main hubs of Pakistan, i.e. Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad or Peshawar.

Quetta is a major tourist attraction for tourists from abroad. It is advertised as a thrilling location, full of adventure and enjoyment. Here, tourists can find colorful handcrafted art, particularly the Balochi mirror work embroidery. There are many sumptuous dishes to feast upon. The “Sajji” (leg of lamb) is said to be very good by locals. The Pathan tribesmen of the valley also enjoy “Landhi” (whole lamb), which is dried in shade and kept for the winters. “Rosh” is very popular dish. Restaurants serve Pakistani and Continental food, while Cafe China specializes in Chinese cuisine. Some of the finest mutton in the country is raised around Quetta.

Hanna Lake nestles in the hills ten kilometers (six miles) east of Quetta, a startling turquoise pool within bare brown surroundings. There is a lakeside restaurant with picnic tables shaded by pine trees. At one end, the irrigation dam rises out of the depths like battlements of a fort. It is very attractive for holidaymakers, and is crowded with hikers and campers in holidays. You can hire a boat and paddle on the lake and round the island in the middle.

Ziarat is located at 30°22’47N 67°43’38E with an altitude of 2543 meters (8346 feet) and is a famous holiday resort of Balochistan. Ziarat was the summer residence of the chief commissioner of Balochistan, and sanatorium for the European troops. It is 8850 ft. above the sea, and is about 125 km from Quetta. The hills around are well-wooded and picturesque. More tourists visit the place in summer.