Paktika Province
Paktika
پکتیکا | |
|---|---|
The Afghan national flag (2002-2021) overlooks a valley from an observation post at Paktika province in Afghanistan | |
Map of Afghanistan with Paktika highlighted | |
| Coordinates (Capital): 32°30′N 68°48′E / 32.5°N 68.8°E | |
| Country | Afghanistan |
| Capital | Sharana |
| Largest city | Urgun |
| Government | |
| • Governor | Abdullah Mukhtar |
| • Deputy Governor | Muhibullah Hamas |
| Area | |
• Total | 19,515 km2 (7,535 sq mi) |
| Population (2021) | |
• Total | 789,079 |
| • Density | 40/km2 (100/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+04:30 (Afghanistan Time) |
| Postal code | 24xx |
| ISO 3166 code | AF-PKA |
| Main languages | Pashto |
Paktika (Pashto: پکتیکا) is one of the 34 provinces of Afghanistan, located in the eastern part of the country. Forming part of the larger Loya Paktia region, Paktika has a population of about 789,000 residents, who are mostly ethnic Pashtuns but smaller communities of Tajiks and others may also be found in the province. The town of Sharana serves as the provincial capital, while the most populous city is Urgun.
In 2021, the Taliban gained control of the province during the 2021 Taliban offensive.