Quetta

This article is about the city. For the metric prefix, see Quetta-. For other uses, see Quetta (disambiguation).

Quetta کوټه کویٹہ کوئٹہ
Metropolis
Quetta Cantonment Quetta at night Fort Mirri Hanna Lake
Flag Emblem
Nickname:  Fruit Garden of Pakistan
Quetta Location within Balochistan, Pakistan Quetta Location within Pakistan
Coordinates: 30°11′45″N 67°01′02″E
Country	Pakistan
Province	Balochistan
Division	Quetta
District	Quetta
Settled	1876 (1876)
Government
• Type	Municipal Corporation
• Mayor	Seat Vacant
• Deputy Mayor	Seat Vacant
• Commissioner	Shahzaib Khan Kakar
• Deputy Commissioner	Mehrullah Badini
Area
• City	3,501 km2 (1,352 sq mi)
• Metro	3,501 km2 (1,352 sq mi)
Elevation	1,680 m (5,510 ft)
Population  (2023)
• City	1,565,546
• Rank	9th in Pakistan; 1st in Balochistan
• Density	447.2/km2 (1,158/sq mi)
• Demonym	Quettan or Quettawal (kʰwətə.wal)
Time zone	UTC+05:00 (PKT)
Postal code	87300
Dialling code	081
Website	www.balochistan.gov.pk

Quetta is the capital and largest city of the Pakistani province of Balochistan. It is the ninth largest city in Pakistan with an estimated population of over 1.7 million in 2024. It is situated in the south-west of the country, lying in the Quetta Valley region surrounded by mountains on all sides. Quetta is at an average elevation of 1,680 metres (5,510 feet) above sea level, making it Pakistan's highest-altitude major city.

The city is sometimes referred to as the "Fruit Garden of Pakistan" because of its numerous fruit orchards and the variety of fresh and dried fruits produced in the region. Like Karachi, Quetta is considered a "melting pot" as it is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in Pakistan.

Located in northern Balochistan near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and the road across to Kandahar, Quetta is a trade and communication centre between the two countries. The city is near the Bolan Pass, which was on a major gateway from Central Asia to South Asia.