# Zherai District

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Zherai_District
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Zherai_District.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zherai_District
> Source revision: 1334566195
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

District in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan

District in Kandahar, Afghanistan

Zheray ژړۍ District Zheray Coordinates: 31°34′33″N 65°25′36″E / 31.57583°N 65.42667°E / 31.57583; 65.42667 Country Afghanistan Province Kandahar District Center Pasab Population (2025)[1] • Total 105,701 Time zone UTC+04:30 (Afghanistan Time)

**Zheray**, also written as **Zherai**, **Zheri** or **Zhari** ([Pashto](/source/Pashto_language): ژړۍ; [Dari](/source/Dari_language): ولسوالی ژری),[2][3] is one of the [districts](/source/Districts_of_Afghanistan) of [Kandahar Province](/source/Kandahar_Province) in southern Afghanistan. It has an estimated population of 105,701 people.[1] The village of Pasab serves as its center.

Zheray district was created in 2004 from parts of [Maywand](/source/Maywand_District) and [Panjwayi](/source/Panjwayi_District) districts. The [Kandahar–Herat Highway](/source/Kandahar%E2%80%93Herat_Highway) runs in the district. [Panjwayi Bazaar](/source/Panjwayi_Bazaar) is the closest [town](/source/Town) to Zherai and [Kandahar](/source/Kandahar) the closest city.

## Geography

Further information: [Geography of Afghanistan](/source/Geography_of_Afghanistan)

Zheray lies on the north bank of the [Arghandab River](/source/Arghandab_River), which runs east to west through Kandahar Province. The general area is sometimes referred to as the Arghandab Valley. The built-up and farmed area of Zheray is approximately 30 km (19 mi) east to west by 8 km (5.0 mi) north to south, between the river and the [Kandahar–Herat Highway](/source/Kandahar%E2%80%93Herat_Highway).

Most buildings are single-story mud structures, with narrow, winding roads and walkways. The exceptions are the grape-drying huts, which are larger buildings, as high as 20 m (66 ft), scattered throughout the countryside. The farmlands are irrigated by a complex system of [wadis](/source/Wadi) running parallel with the Arghandab River. The area north of Highway 1 is more desert-like with abrupt mountain ranges of approximately 200–400m in height.

## History

Further information: [History of Afghanistan](/source/History_of_Afghanistan)

The district was created 2004 from land that was formerly part of [Maywand](/source/Maywand_District) and [Panjwai](/source/Panjwai_District) districts. It was done by then-President [Hamid Karzai](/source/Hamid_Karzai) as a reward for [Habibullah Jan](/source/Habibullah_Jan), an ethnic [Alizai](/source/Alizai_(Pashtun_tribe)) warlord, who had helped defeat the [Taliban](/source/Taliban) in the early part of the 2000s.[4]

[NATO](/source/NATO) and [ISAF](/source/International_Security_Assistance_Force) has been supporting the Karzai government and quell an insurgency. The Taliban is deeply rooted in Zheray's history and has long been attempting to exert influence through a system of mullahs and elders (see Resurgence of [Taliban](/source/Taliban)). The situation was complicated by the warlords and criminals who also attempted to minimize the government's power in the area to further their own ends.[5]

A 2 AM raid on 18 October 2006 by NATO helicopters, hunting Taliban fighters, was only half a mile from the scene of September's 2006 [Operation Medusa](/source/Operation_Medusa), one of the most ferocious battles between Western forces and [insurgents](/source/Insurgent) since late 2001.[6]

On 4 October 2013, 4 U.S. special operations soldiers were killed and 12 wounded during an operation in the Zheray district. The coalition soldiers were killed by a set of IEDs and a suicide bomber. A Taliban spokesman claimed explosives were placed in a house and detonated when soldiers entered. As other soldiers entered to assist the fallen, a suicide bomber detonated his explosives.[7]

## Politics

The [Shurah](/source/Shurah) has been the basic mechanism of government in Zheray. The tribal nature of the district is inseparable from politics, making the decision-making process difficult and time-consuming.

The Zheray seat of government for the district is located in Pasab. The district center is also adjacent to Forward Operating Base Pasab (FOB Pasab), a former [ISAF](/source/International_Security_Assistance_Force) base now controlled by the [Afghan National Security Forces](/source/Afghan_National_Security_Forces).[8][9]

Jamal Agha was the district governor in 2015.[10][11] Muhammed Naez Sarhadi and Karim Jan were previous district governors.[12][4] Mohammad Masoum Khan leads the Afghan National Police forces in the district as of 26 January 2015.[10]

## Economy

Further information: [Economy of Afghanistan](/source/Economy_of_Afghanistan)

Most residents of Zheray are villagers involved in [agriculture](/source/Agriculture), [trade](/source/Trade) and [transport](/source/Transport_in_Afghanistan). The major crops of the area have always been [grapes](/source/Grapes).[13][14]

## Tribes

Most people in Zheray are [Pashtuns](/source/Pashtuns). There are at least a dozen tribes, the most numerous of which are the Alizai, Achakzai, Nurzai and [Ghilzai](/source/Ghilzai). Many [nomadic](/source/Nomad) tribes pass through the northern areas of Zheray between Maywand and [Arghandab](/source/Arghandab_District%2C_Kandahar) districts.

## Sub-districts

The political geography of Zheray changes over time. Many of the smaller villages bear the name of the local elder. A collection of these smaller villages can be loosely described as a sub-district. Zheray currently has the following sub-districts:

- Nar Kariz

- Nalgham

- [Sangsar](/source/Singesar)

- Kolk

- Gariban

- Siah Choy

- Sablaghay

- Pashmul

- Asequeh

- Sanzari

## See also

- [Districts of Afghanistan](/source/Districts_of_Afghanistan)

- [Khosrow Sofla](/source/Khosrow_Sofla)

- [Tarok Kolache](/source/Tarok_Kolache)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-population_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-population_1-1) ["Estimated Population of Afghanistan 2025-26"](https://nsia.gov.af:8443/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D9%86%D9%81%D9%88%D8%B3-%DA%A9%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%B1-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%84-1404.pdf#page=117) (PDF). *National Statistics and Information Authority*. September 2025. p. 94. Retrieved 26 December 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Defense Minister Urges Religious and Modern Education for Children"](https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-197022). *TOLOnews*. 14 December 2025. Retrieved 26 December 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Kandahar starts giving plots to returnees after Pajhwok report"](https://pajhwok.com/2025/12/26/kandahar-starts-giving-plots-to-returnees-after-pajhwok-report/). *Pajhwok Afghan News*. 26 December 2025. Retrieved 26 December 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-LittleAmerica_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-LittleAmerica_4-1) [Chandrasekaran, Rajiv](/source/Rajiv_Chandrasekaran) (2013). *Little America: The War Within the War for Afghanistan*. London: Bloomsbury. p. 281. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1408831201](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1408831201).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** "Western Zhari: the people, leaders, tribes and the economy." [Kandahar?]: Human Terrain Team AF8, 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-southcoast_6-0)** ["Civilians reported killed by airstrikes as NATO hunts Taliban" 19 October 2006](http://www.southcoasttoday.com/daily/10-06/10-19-06/16world-nation.htm;) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070310130236/http://www.southcoasttoday.com/daily/10-06/10-19-06/16world-nation.htm;) 10 March 2007 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) Retrieved 19 October 2006.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-nytimes_7-0)** ["Bomb Kills 4 Soldiers In Afghanistan" 6 October 2013](https://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/07/world/asia/afghanistan-coalition-soldiers-killed.html;) Retrieved 6 October 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-MountaineerOnline_8-0)** ["General visits 3rd BCT Soldiers during Pasab Day"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110829004821/http://www.drum.army.mil/mountaineer/Article.aspx?ID=5669). *The Mountaineer Online*. Fort Drum - United States Army. Archived from [the original](http://www.drum.army.mil/mountaineer/Article.aspx?ID=5669) on 29 August 2011. Retrieved 5 February 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-GlobalPost_9-0)** ["US troops in Afghanistan: Packing up and moving out"](http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/groundtruth/afghanistan-drawdown-us-troops-afghan-soldiers-retrograde). *Global Post*. Retrieved 5 February 2015.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-APD_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-APD_10-1) ["Afghanistan launches poppy eradication campaign in former Taliban stronghold" 27 January 2015](http://en.apdnews.com/asia-pacific/south-asia/269998.html;)[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*] Retrieved 27 July 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Pajhwok_11-0)** ["Poppies destroyed on 400 hectares of land in Kandahar" 28 March 2015](https://web.archive.org/web/20160728014129/http://archive.pajhwok.com/en/2015/03/28/poppies-destroyed-400-hectares-land-kandahar) Retrieved 27 July 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-DVIDS_12-0)** ["DVIDS: Cleaning House" 29 May 2012](http://www.dvidshub.net/video/147900/cleaning-house#.VNPei53F8xI;) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160822213307/https://www.dvidshub.net/video/147900/cleaning-house#.VNPei53F8xI;) 22 August 2016 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) Retrieved 5 February 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Drought affects grapes yield in Kandahar this season"](https://pajhwok.com/2022/07/11/drought-affects-grapes-yield-in-kandahar-this-season/). *Pajhwok Afghan News*. 11 July 2022. Retrieved 26 December 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Grapes harvested from orchards in Kandahar, Afghanistan"](https://english.news.cn/20220702/4f064da2e88e4342a704ead7e4ca3feb/c.html). *Xinhua*. 2 July 2022. Retrieved 26 December 2025.

## External links

- [د ژوند آسانتیاوې؛ کندهار کې هم راستنېدونکو افغان کډوالو ته د ځمکو د وېش لړۍ پیل شوه](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlLh4Av1VVA) on [YouTube](/source/YouTube_video_(identifier))

- [Returnees begin receiving lands in Kandahar / آغاز روند توزیع زمین برای عودت کنندگان در کندهار](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHlKBRpWWkY) on [YouTube](/source/YouTube_video_(identifier))

v t e Districts of Afghanistan by province Badakhshan Arghanj Khwa Argo Baharak Darayim Maimay Nusay Fayzabad Ishkashim Jurm Khash Khwahan Kishim Kohistan Kuf Ab Kuran Wa Munjan Raghistan Shahri Buzurg Shighnan Shekay Shuhada Tagab Tishkan Wakhan Wurduj Yaftali Sufla Yamgan Yawan Zebak Badghis Ab Kamari Jawand Muqur Bala Murghab Qadis Qala i Naw Baghlan Andarab Baghlan Baghlani Jadid Burka Dahana i Ghuri Dih Salah Dushi Farang Wa Gharu Guzargahi Nur Khinjan Khost Wa Fereng Khwaja Hijran Nahrin Puli Hisar Puli Khumri Tala Wa Barfak Balkh Balkh Charbolak Charkint Chimtal Dawlatabad Dihdadi Kaldar Kholm Kishindih Marmul Mazar-e Sharif Nahri Shahi Sholgara Shortepa Zari Bamyan Bamyan Kahmard Panjab Sayghan Shibar Waras Yakawlang Daykundi Ishtarlay Kajran Khadir Kiti Miramor Nili Sangtakht Shahristan Farah Anar Dara Bakwa Bala Buluk Farah Gulistan Khaki Safed Lash Wa Juwayn Pur Chaman Pusht Rod Qala i Kah Shib Koh Faryab Almar Andkhoy Bilchiragh Dawlat Abad Ghormach Gurziwan Khani Chahar Bagh Khwaja Sabz Posh Kohistan Maymana Pashtun Kot Qaramqol Qaysar Qurghan Shirin Tagab Ghazni Ab Band Ajristan Andar Dih Yak Gelan Ghazni Giro Jaghori Jaghatū Khogyani Khwaja Umari Malistan Muqur Nawa Nawur Qarabagh Rashidan Waghaz Zana Khan Ghor Chaghcharan Marghab Charsada Dawlat Yar Du Layna Lal wa Sarjangal Pasaband Saghar Shahrak Taywara Tulak Helmand Baghran Dishu Garmsir Grishk Kajaki Khanashin Lashkargah Musa Qala Nad Ali Nawa-I-Barakzayi Nawzad Sangin Washir Herat Adraskan Chishti Sharif Farsi Ghoryan Gulran Guzara Herat Injil Karukh Kohsan Kushk Kushki Kuhna Obe Pashtun Zarghun Shindand Zinda Jan Jowzjan Aqcha Darzab Fayzabad Khamyab Khaniqa Khwaja Du Koh Mardyan Mingajik Qarqin Qush Tepa Shibirghan Kabul Bagrami Chahar Asyab Deh Sabz Farza Guldara Istalif Kabul Kalakan Khaki Jabbar Mir Bacha Kot Mussahi Paghman Qarabagh Shakardara Surobi Kandahar Arghandab Arghistan Daman Ghorak Kandahar Khakrez Maruf Maiwand Miyanishin Nesh Panjwayi Reg Shah Wali Kot Shorabak Spin Boldak Zhari Kapisa Alasay Hesa Awal Kohistan Hesa Duwum Kohistan Koh Band Mahmud Raqi Nijrab Tagab Khost Bak Gurbuz Zazi Maidan Khost (Matun) Mandozayi Musakhel Nadir Shah Kot Qalandar Sabari Shamal Spera Tani Tirazayi Kunar Asadabad Bar Kunar Chapa Dara Chawkay Dangam Dara-I-Pech Ghaziabad Khas Kunar Marawara Narang Aw Badil Nari Nurgal Shaigal Shultan Sirkanay Wata Pur Kunduz Ali Abad Dasht-e-Archi Chardara Imam Sahib Khan Abad Kunduz Qalay-I-Zal Laghman Alingar Alishing Dawlat Shah Mihtarlam Qarghayi Logar Azra Baraki Barak Charkh Kharwar Khoshi Mohammad Agha Puli Alam Nangarhar Achin Bati Kot Bihsud Chaparhar Darai Nur Dih Bala Dur Baba Goshta Hisarak Jalalabad Kama Khogyani Kot Kuz Kunar Lal Pur Momand Dara Nazyan Pachir Aw Agam Rodat Sherzad Shinwar Surkh Rod Nimruz Chahar Burjak Chakhansur Delaram Kang Khash Rod Zaranj Nuristan Bargi Matal Du Ab Kamdesh Mandol Nurgaram Paroon Wama Waygal Paktia Ahmad Aba Ahmadkhel Dand Aw Patan Gardez Janikhel Said Karam Shwak Tsamkani Zadran Zazi Zurmat Paktika Barmal Dila Gayan Gomal Janikhel Khairkot Mata Khan Nika Omna Sar Hawza Surobi Sharana Terwa Urgun Wazakhwa Wor Mamay Yahyakhel Yusufkhel Zerok Panjshir Anaba Bazarak Darah Khenj Paryan Rokha Shotul Parwan Bagram Chaharikar Ghorband Jabul Saraj Kohi Safi Salang Sayed Khel Shekh Ali Shinwari Surkhi Parsa Samangan Aybak Dara-i Sufi Bala Dara-i Sufi Payin Feroz Nakhchir Hazarati Sultan Khuram Wa Sarbagh Ruyi Du Ab Sar-e Pol Balkhab Gosfandi Kohistanat Sancharak Sari Pul Sayyad Sozma Qala Takhar Baharak Bangi Chah Ab Chal Darqad Dashti Qala Farkhar Hazar Sumuch Ishkamish Kalafgan Khwaja Bahauddin Khwaja Ghar Namak Ab Rustaq Taluqan Warsaj Yangi Qala Uruzgan Chora Deh Rawood Gizab Khas Uruzgan Shahidi Hassas Tarinkot Wardak Chaki Wardak Daymirdad Hisa-I-Awali Bihsud Jaghatu Jalrez Markazi Bihsud Maidan Shar Nirkh Saydabad Zabul Argahandab Atghar Dey Chopan Kakar Mezana Naw Bahar Qalat Shahjoy Shamulzayi Shinkay Tarnak Aw Jaldak

v t e Kandahar Province Capital: Kandahar Districts Arghandab Arghistan Daman Ghorak Kandahar Khakrez Maruf Mayanishin Maiwand Nesh Panjwayi Reg Shah Wali Kot Shorabak Spin Boldak Zhari Populated places Alkozai Arghandab Arghistan Baladay Balandi Bazar-i-Panjwayi Daman Ghorak Golzar Ilbak Kar-Mulla Karz Khakrez Khosrow Sofla Lower Babur Maiwand Mulla Wali Waleh Maruf Nagahan Najeeban Nesh Reg Alaqadari Regay Singesar Spin Boldak Tarok Kolache Tizak Walakan Wali Yakh Karez Zangabad Landforms Arghandab River Arghistan River Dori River Other Governors Dahla Dam Kandahar International Cricket Stadium Kandahar Stadium Kirka Sharif Red Mosque

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Zherai District](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zherai_District) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zherai_District?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.