Ghazni, historically known as Ghaznain (غزنين) or Ghazna (غزنه), also transliterated as Ghuznee, and anciently known as Alexandria in Opiana, is a city in southeastern Afghanistan with a population of around 190,000 people. The city is strategically located along Highway 1, which has served as the main road between Kabul and Kandahar for thousands of years. Situated on a plateau at 2,219 metres (7,280 ft) above sea level, the city is 150 kilometres (93 mi) south of Kabul and is the capital of Ghazni Province. The name Ghazni drives from the Persian word ganj ‘treasure’.
Ghazni is one of the 34 provinces of Afghanistan, located in southeastern Afghanistan. The province contains 19 districts, encompassing over a thousand villages and roughly 1.3 million people, making it the 5th most populous province. The city of Ghazni serves as the capital. It lies on the important Kabul–Kandahar Highway, and has historically functioned as an important trade center. The Ghazni Airport is located next to the city of Ghazni and provides limited domestic flights to Afghanistan's capital, Kabul.
Ghōr, also spelled Ghowr or Ghur, is one of the thirty-four provinces of Afghanistan. It is located in the western Hindu Kush in central Afghanistan, towards the northwest. The province contains eleven districts, encompassing hundreds of villages, and approximately 764,472 settled people. Firuzkoh is the capital of the province.
Jaghori is one of the main districts of the Ghazni province in Afghanistan. It is located in the highlands in the southern fringes of the Hazaristan region. It occupies 1,855 km2. in the upper Arghandab valley. The population is estimated to be around 560,000 in 2015. The district capital, Sange-e-Masha, is where major business transactions take place. The district is heavily dependent on agriculture, and migrant workers as the main sources of income. Other major marketplaces are in Ghojor and Anguri.
Ab Band is a district in Ghazni province, Afghanistan. Its population, which is almost entirely Pashtun, was estimated at 41,340 in 2002. The district is within the heartland of the Tarakai tribe of Ghilji Pashtuns. Ab Band is on the main road from Kabul to Kandahar. The district capital is Āb Band.
Nawur is the largest district in Afghanistan's Ghazni province by area. Its population, which is mostly Hazara, was estimated at 91,778 in 2002. The Jikhai River originates here.
Malistan or Malestan, is a district in Ghazni province, Afghanistan. Its population, which is 100% Hazara, was estimated at 350,000 in 2009. The district capital is Mir Adina.
Gelan is a district in the south of Ghazni province, Afghanistan. Its population was estimated at 78,408 in 2002. The district capital is Janda.
Nawa is a large district in the far south of Ghazni Province, Afghanistan. It is 100 km south from Ghazni in a mountainous region. The salt lake Ab-i Istada is located in the northern part of the district. Nawa's population was estimated at 29,054 in 2002, of whom around 45% were children under 12. The district center is the village of Nawa. Military operations in the district were featured in articles in the Washington Post and the New York Times in October 2009. The district was controlled by the Taliban until 17 July 2017.
Qarabagh or Qara Bagh, is a district in Ghazni province, 56 km to the south-west of Ghazni city in eastern Afghanistan. The 1,800 km2 area is one of the most populated at 109,000; some reports count more than 218,000. The ethnic composition of the district includes Hazaras and Pashtuns. The landscape varies in different parts of the district - deserts in the southwest, plains in the southeast and mountains in the north. The district is seriously affected by drought, especially farming and animal husbandry. Health and education need serious improvement.
Andar is one of the eastern districts of Ghazni Province in Afghanistan. The population has been estimated at 88,300, all Pashtun. The district center is Miray while the other main town is Andar. The district is named after the Andar Ghilji tribe of the Pashtuns. The district also contains the town of Sardeh Band on its edge near the border with Paktika Province.
Deh Yak is a rural district in the eastern part of Ghazni Province, Afghanistan, 30 km east from the city of Ghazni. The district has an area of 715 km2, containing 66 villages and a population of about 44,386. Ramak serves as the district's headquarters.
Ghazni District, is a district of Ghazni province, Afghanistan situated in the northeast part of the province. Capital of the district is Ghazni, which is also capital of Ghazni Province.
Jaghatu is a district in Maidan Wardak province, Afghanistan, 20 km northwest of Ghazni. According to 2019 data, the population is 50,792. The district is within the heartland of the Wardak tribe of Pashtuns. Agriculture is the main source of income. The popular apples in Afghanistan is from this district. Drought has become a serious problem in the whole province. Health and education services are lacking although most of the people in this area have attempted to create schools and for students to attend with their own efforts.
Sayed Mohmood Hasamuddeen Al-Gailani was elected to represent Ghazni Province in Afghanistan's Wolesi Jirga, the lower house of its National Legislature, in 2005. He is from the Pashtun ethnic group. He is a grandson of Pir Gailani, a prominent Sufi, and leader of an Afghan political party.
Ali Akbar Qasimi was elected to represent Ghazni province in Afghanistan's Wolesi Jirga, the lower house of its National Legislature, in 2005. He is a member of the Hazara ethnic group. He is a General in the Afghan National Army, and was a former commander of the 14th Division, which was garrisoned in Ghazni.
Hajji Niyaz Mohammad Amiri was elected to represent Ghazni Province in Afghanistan's Wolesi Jirga, the lower house of its National Legislature, in 2005.
Abdul Qayyum Sajjadi was elected to represent Ghazni Province in Afghanistan's Wolesi Jirga, the lower house of its National Legislature, in 2005. He is a member of the Hazara ethnic group. He speaks English and was the editor of a science journal prior to taking office.
The Ghazni offensive began on 10 August 2018, when Taliban fighters launched an assault on the city of Ghazni, Afghanistan's sixth largest city and one which has been culturally and strategically important for much of the country's history. The attack resulted in the deaths of hundreds of insurgents, soldiers, police, and civilians. The city also sustained large-scale property damage. The battle, occurring only weeks before Afghanistan's 2018 parliamentary election, was the largest since a three-day truce in June had raised hopes of peace talks.
