Qalay-I-Zal District is situated in the western part of Kunduz Province, northern Afghanistan. It borders Balkh Province to the west and Tajikistan to the north along the Panj, Vakhsh and Amu Darya rivers. To the east it borders Imam Sahib District and to the south Kunduz and Chahar dara districts. Qalay-I-Zal River flows through the district and divides it in two parts. The population is 60,600 (2006) - 90% Turkmen and 10% Pashtun. The district center is the village of Qalay-I-Zal, located on 37.0131°N 68.4603°E / 37.0131; 68.4603 at 300 m altitude. The district is almost a desert and only the irrigated land is arable. The agriculture and carpet weaving are the most important sources of income.
The district was fought over with the Taliban in the War in Afghanistan.