Zabul
(Pashto: زابل) is a historic province of Afghanistan.
Zabul became an independent province from neighbouring
Kandahar in 1963, with Qalat being named the provincial
capital.
Political and Security Situation
With its sparse population, insecure
border with Pakistan and little central authority, Zabul
is a fertile ground for insurgents fighting against the
current Afghan government, although the province is
considered more secure than some of its southern
neighbours.
The province has especially struggled with
retaining NGO's and teachers in the face of Taliban
attacks and threats. Until 2006, the only major
international presence was an American Provincial
Reconstruction Team (PRT) based in Qalat, when it was
joined by a UNAMA branch.
