Zhob: History
Early in the 13th century the country came within the sphere of the Mongol raids organised by Genghis Khan.
Until the Zhob Valley Expedition of 1884, the area was practically unknown to Europeans. In 1889, the Zhob Valley and Gomal Pass were taken under the control of the British Government. In December 1889, the town of Zhob, then known as Apozai, was occupied by the British and named Fort Sandeman after Sir Robert Sandeman.
The military garrison included a native cavalry and a native infantry regiment. It also served as the headquarters of the Zhob Levy Corps. In 1894, a water supply from the Saliaza valley was established, enabling irrigation for corps and fruit trees planting of fruits and trees as well as providing drinking water. The project cost slightly over a lakh of rupees.
During the colonial era, the political agent resided in a building known as "the Castle" that lay to the north of the town and 150 feet (46 m) above the surface of the plain. The military lines, bazaar, dispensaries, and schools lay below. During this time, the railway system was built. The nearest railway station in Baluchistan is Harnai, 168 miles (270 km) distant. Bhakkar, the railway station for Dera Ismail Khan, is 122 miles (196 km) distant.
A local fund was created in 1890. The income during 1903-4 was 18,000 rupees and the expenditure 17,000 rupees. One-third of the net receipts from octroi were paid over to the military authorities. There is a small sanitarium, about 8,500 feet (2,600 m) above sea-level, about 30 miles (48 km) away at Shinghar on the Sulaiman range, to which resort is made in the summer months.
There is a Pakistan Army cantonment in Zhob too. Semi-nomadic people from various provinces including Afghans migrated to Zhob due to the city’s climate.