Dera Ghazi Khan (), abbreviated as D. G. Khan or locally as in nastaʿlīq script, is a geographically central city of Pakistan at the junction of all four provinces of Pakistan. The city is headquarter of Dera Ghazi Khan Division, which consists of the Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Muzaffargarh and Layyah districts.
Etymology
The word "Dera" is derived from the Saraiki word ḍerā which means "encampment".
Dera Ghazi Khan thus means the settlement or city of
Ghazi Khan. Many cities in Pakistan have Dera as a pre-fix such as
Dera Ismail Khan and
Dera Allah Yar. People of Dera Ghazi Khan as well as Dera Ismail Khan are also known as
Derawal or sometimes as
Dervi while the latter is used as Pen name or
Takhallus.
Location
Dera Ghazi Khan is a mid-country city located on the junction of all the four provinces of Pakistan i.e. Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan and Khyber Pukhtunkhwa. Due to its location, it has been once in the list of prospective capitals of Pakistan. It has beautiful and unique landscape including the
Indus River, Green Fields, Pachad Desert and the Sulaiman Mountains.
Ecological features
Religion
Islam came into this region during eighth century when
Muhammad bin Qasim (695–715), the
Ummayad general entered Sindh and Punjab. More than 99% people are Muslims. After the partition, the Hindu population of the city migrated to India. There are remains of three Hindu temples in the city.
Language
Following are the demographics of the Dera Ghazi Khan district, by spoken language:
Inhabitants of DG Khan District speak Punjabi[ Page 70] and a great variety of its dialects, including a major dialect Saraiki, but because of good and loving nature of people there is no distinction or hate among different dialects and have a mix culture of Great (North and South) Punjab.
-
Derawali (Mainly)
-
Majhi or standard (Sizeable population in cities also in newly cultivated areas)
-
Raangri (A mixture of Punjabi and Urdu spoken by sizeable population in cities)
-
Thlochi (Border areas near Layyah & Muzafargarh districts)
-
Khetrani (Border areas near Barkhan & Musa khel districts)
Other Languages include:
-
Urdu is mother tongue of few people but being national language is spoken and understood by the sizeable population.
-
English is also understood and spoken by the educated elite.
-
Balochi is also spoken by sizeable population in the Balochistan province border areas.
-
Pashto which is spoken by minority population in the Balochistan province border areas and in the cities.
History
Foundation of old city
The
Delhi Sultanate and later
Mughal Empire ruled the region. The Multan region became predominantly
Muslim due to
missionary Sufi saints whose
dot the landscape of
Punjab region. The city was founded in 1476 on the western bank of the
Indus River and named after
Nawab Ghazi Khan Mirani, son of Nawab Haji Khan Mirani, a
Baloch chieftain, who had declared independence from the
Langah Dynasty's
of
Multan. Together with two other
Deras,
Dera Ismail Khan and
Dera Fateh Khan, it gave its name to
Derajat. After the decline of the
Mughal Empire, the
Sikh invaded and occupied Dera Ghazi Khan District. The Muslims faced severe restrictions during the Sikh rule. During the period of
British rule, Dera Ghazi Khan district increased in population and importance.
British era and foundation of new city
Derajat eventually came into the possession of the
British Raj after the
Sikh War in 1849 and was divided into two districts: Dera Ghazi Khan and
Dera Ismail Khan.
General Courtland was appointed as first Deputy Commissioner of this District. Presently there are three revenue sub-division or
tehsils of Dera Ghazi Khan District i.e.
Dera Ghazi Khan Tehsil,
Taunsa Sharif, and a tribal belt/political area spread along with western side of the district. Following flash floods in 1908 which partially destroyed the original city, in 1910, the present-day city was established around away from the old town near
Drahma.
The new town was planned in a grid plan, consisting of 66 with wide roads. Each alternative street join the main street of block to form chowks or for social gatherings, and each block has two such chowks (northern and southern). The town suffered decrease in population due to the move- in 1909, there were 23,731 inhabitants, whereas in 1911 there were 18,446. In the year 1913, the Municipal Committee came into existence. At that time, the area of the town was very small. Physical growth continued and now the area was about . During British era, canals were dug in the region.
The predominantly Muslim population supported Muslim League and Pakistan Movement. After the independence of Pakistan in 1947, the minority and migrated to India while the refugees from India settled down in the Dera Ghazi Khan.
Post independence
After the
independence of
Pakistan in 1947, the minority
and
migrated to
India while many
refugees from
India settled down in the
Dera Ghazi Khan District. Many Hindus and Sikhs from Dera Ghazi Khan settled in
Delhi found
Derawal Nagar along with the migrants from
Dera Ismail Khan.
Similarly, Muslims from different parts of India migrated to Pakistan and settled in different cities of Pakistan including Dera Ghazi Khan. This further increased the cultural diversity of Dera Ghazi Khan.
The major growth of the town has taken place since 1947. The town has largely spread to the north and south; it could not expand to the west due to the danger of flooding torrents such as affected the town in 1955. However, growth has also taken place in the eastern side. Almost all of the new developments in north and east of the planned town are haphazardly built. The development in the town from 1947 to 1958 remained slow, due to lack of transportation and communication facilities. Only a boat bridge on the river Indus in winter season and steamer service for summer season linked Dera Ghazi Khan with the rest of the Punjab. The Taunsa Barrage on the river Indus was completed in 1953 and the pace of development has since gained momentum. Keeping in view the rapidly increasing population, district D. G. Khan was further divided in two districts in 1982 i.e. Dera Ghazi Khan District and Rajanpur District. During the last 5 years, 72 industrial units were established. The Ghazi Textile mills are an attempt to establish a heavy industrial complex to raise the economic base of the town.
Climate and geography
Dera Ghazi Khan is located at 30'03" N and 70'38" E. The overall climate of the city is dry with little rainfall. The winter is relatively cold and the climate is hot during the remaining part of the year, but it is very hot in summer. The temperature during summer is usually about , while during winter season the temperature is as low as . The prevailing wind direction is North-South. Due to the barren mountains of
Koh-Suleman (
Sulaiman Mountains) and the sandy soil of the area, windstorms are very common in the summer. During summer, the temperatures are generally amongst the highest in Pakistan.
Fort Munro, located on the edge of Punjab Province, has relatively cooler weather. In winter, scattered snowfall is also reported in this area.
Dera Ghazi Khan current weather.
Fauna and flora
Along with its many other fauna and flora it has
Jerdon's Babbler. It has also one unconfirmed occurrence of
Markhor, the national animal of Pakistan. This specie is called Sulaiman Markhor and is found at high altitudes.
Natural resources
There are iron, gypsum, marble, limestone, cement, precious stones, uranium, coal and petroleum and gas reserves in the district. The
Koh-e-Sulaiman constitutes a major part of this area, and is full of natural deposits.
Floods
The area is also vulnerable to floods from the
Indus River in the East and from the
Rod Koh coming from Sulaiman Mountains in the West. In 1957 flood water entered in the city and almost after 60 years second time in history water entered in the city on 9 September 2012 due to heavy rains in Koh-e-Sulaiman.
Civic administration and politics
Dera Ghazi Khan City is administratively subdivided into seven
Union Councils.
The majority of the population is poor but they have been ruled by the rich landlords and chiefs of Baloch tribes which played significant role in the national and provincial politics. Some of these feudals, who use the title Sardar for themselves, include former President of Pakistan Farooq Leghari, Governors of Punjab Zulfiqar Ali Khosa and Latif Khosa, Chief Minister of Punjab Dost Muhammad Khosa, present Chief Secretary of Punjab, Nasir Mehmood Khosa, Former Inspector General Police of Punjab, Tariq Khosa, and present Supreme Court Judge Asif Khosa. The city is one of the old districts in South Asia and most of its politicians have been in power but Dera Ghazi Khan could not develop as other cities in Punjab. Based on the surveys of 2004–2005, Dera Ghazi Khan district is considered one of the twenty most poorest districts of Pakistan with about 51% of its population living under the poverty line.
Political representation
National Assembly Constituencies
Provincial Assembly Constituencies
-
PP-241
-
PP-242
-
PP-243
-
PP-244
-
PP-245
-
PP-246
-
PP-247
-
PP-248
Notable people
Education
Dera Ghazi Khan has a literacy rate of 60 percent, which is relatively equal to the national level. Due to lack of adequate higher education facilities locally, most students go to colleges and universities in other cities of Punjab. In the past few years, there has been rapid growth in institutions for higher and technical education. Dera Ghazi Khan has produced well-known scientists, educationalists and scholars. The city is famous for its doctors and engineers usually working in the big cities of Pakistan due to lack of opportunities in this small city until recently.
Schools
The city has a variety of schools, public and private sector, with the Government High School No. 1 being the most prominent and old school of the city for boys. With the adjoining primary school No. 1, it was constructed pre-
independence. Government City High School and Government Comprehensive School are also prominent schools for boys. Similarly, there are several schools for girls. All of them are affiliated with the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Dera Ghazi Khan. These schools hold several academic and extra-curricular awards. A large proportion of the students go on to serve in prominent positions all over the world. Three high (matriculation) school for girls and four for boys provide enough facilities to educate the young. The Divisional Public School is the oldest private school established in 1986 and is the only school to offer A-levels. The city includes branches of private nationwide school chains, such as Garrison college, Bloomfield Hall School (BHS), Pakistan Atomic Energy School, The City School (TCS), The Educators, AIMS Army Public School Dera Ghazi Khan Cantt, and the
Danish School. Many newly established of international and national standards are also established like The Education Zone (TEZ).APS Choti DG Khan
D.G.Khan Cantonment
In DG Khan, the Army Cantonment was established in 2006 near D.G.Khan Int. Airport. Since, Cantonment is at a distance from the main city, APS Choti was established inside the Cantonment area to facilitate the wards of Army personnel.
Initially, the school was housed in a temporary building and was up till primary level with eleven faculty members and sixty students. The school got its affiliation with APSACS in January 2007 and in the same year Classes VI–VII commenced. In 2009 and 2010 the school was upgraded to Matric level. The school was shifted to its present custom-built campus in 2010.
Army Public Schools & Colleges System (or APSACS) is an educational institution with branches in the four provinces of Pakistan. Army Public School has a branch in Dera Ghazi Khan Cantt. area near the airport. APSACSs are semi-private institutions, affiliated with the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Islamabad.
Colleges
There are following colleges in Dera Ghazi Khan:
General
-
College of Agriculture, DG Khan Sub-Campus University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. (CADGK)
-
PAEC Inter Science College, Dera Ghazi Khan
-
Army Public school and College D.G.Khan Cantonment near airport.
-
Govt. Postgraduate College, Dera Ghazi Khan
-
Govt. College for Women, Model Town
-
Govt. College for Women
-
Govt. College for Women, kot chutta
-
Govt. College, Behind Shalimar Hotel, Dera Ghazi Khan
-
Govt. College for Women, Choti Zareen (Dera Ghazi Khan)
-
Indus International Institute: It is affiliated with National College of Business Administration and Economics has been established by private sector.
. Govt. Degree College Choti Zareen (Dera Ghazi Khan)
Commerce
Govt. Postgraduate College of Commerce (
Urdu: ) is a college in Dera Ghazi Khan city in Punjab state in Pakistan. It is one of the five constituent colleges of
Ghazi University, D.G.Khan. The college offers undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate courses in commerce. It is situated on Block No. 38, Dera Ghazi khan . The college is also known as University Commerce College.
Education
-
The College of Education: It was established in 1989 under the affiliation of Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan. The college became a constituent institution of the University of Education in 2002 and is in its new building adjacent to the Shah Faisal (Bihari) Colony. The campus has a hostel for boys and onel for girls. The campus offers teacher education programs like BEd Secondary, MEd, M.A. Education and B.A. BEd Several private sector colleges also exist in the city.
-
Govt. College for Elementary Teacher (M)
-
Govt. College for Elementary Teacher (W)
Law[ of Affiliated Colleges.pdf ]
-
Indus Law College, Near General Bus Stand Road, Dera Ghazi Khan
-
Multan Law College, Dera Ghazi Khan
-
Pak Law College
Ghazi Khan Medical College
-
Ghazi Khan Medical College: The government decided to establish a medical college in Dera Ghazi Khan to improve the facilities in southern part of the province.
Technology and Specialization
-
UAF College of Agriculture, Dera Ghazi Khan: It is constituent college of University of Agriculture Faisalabad located near the airport imparts training in the degree of BSc (Hons.) Agriculture. The college consists of teaching sections of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Horticulture, Agronomy, Soil and Forestry Range Management and Wildlife, Agricultural Entomology, Plant Pathology, Animal Production and Health, Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Social Sciences and Rural Development. It aims to develop as a university.
-
Govt. Institute of Technology: It is situated at airport road, is one of the biggest institute in the region offering diploma and BTech classes in more than ten technologies in morning and evening shifts. Diploma courses in technologies are Civil, Mechanical,Electrical, Auto-mechanical, Petroleum, Chemical, Petrochemical, I.T. and Computer etc.
-
Science institute of Technology college: It is situated at Mohsin Town near by Pull Dot,is second of the biggest institute in region which offering Diploma classes in more than four technologies in morning and evening shifts.DAE courses are Electrical,Electronics,Civil,Mechanical,Chemical and etc.
Universities
The government has established a state-of-the-art
Ghazi University in Dera Ghazi Khan since 2011 near airport.For this purpose 1000 acre land has been acquired for next 50 yeares requirement of the university.The foundation stone for Ghazi University and Ghazi Medical College was laid on December 2011.
The Govt. Postgraduate College,FAU Agriculture College and Ghazi Medical College will work under this university.Vice Chancellor of Islamia University Bahawalpur Dr.Mukhtar Ahmed has given additional charge of Ghazi University v.c since 11.06.2014. The
Virtual University of Pakistan has established its campus here since 2004 which is providing both campus based and distance learning education primarily based on IT tools and technology. Another prominent educational organisation is the
Allama Iqbal Open University campus. The government has approved
Akhuwat University of Engineering and Technology in Dera Ghazi Khan since 2012.
The university will be established on 351 kanals and will offer courses in Engineering, Veterinary Science, Computer Science, Information Science, Communication Science and Management Science.
Historical and tourist places
Tomb of Hazarat Sakhi Sarwar
Hazrat Syed Ahmad, also known as Sultan Sakhi Sarwar, Lakh Data, Sakhi Sultan and Lalan Wali Sarkar, was the son of Hazrat Zain ul Abedin, who migrated from
Baghdad and settled in Shahkot, near
Multan in 13th century. He studied from Syed Muhammad Ishaq, known as Miran Badshah who came from Iran and settled in
Lahore during the time of the
Tughlaq dynasty and is buried in the courtyard of
Wazir Khan Mosque in Lahore. Syed Ahmed later went to
Dhaunkal,
Wazirabad for further education and is also reported to visit Baghdad. Sakhi Sarwar preached
Islam in
Sodhra, Wazirabad. From Dhounkal, Sakhi Sarwar came to Dera Ghazi Khan and settled in Nagaha, now named after him, Sakhi Sarwar. He died at the age of 53. His shrine was built in
Sulaiman Mountains, from Dera Ghazi Khan city. It is located in a small village named Muqam. Later,
Mughal king
Zahir-ud-din Muhammad Babur amended his tomb. It is a unique building of
Mughal architecture. Thousands of people from all over South Asia come here on the Annual Celebrations of Birth of Sakhi Sarwar in March every year.
Tomb of Ghazi Khan
The tomb of
Nawab Ghazi Khan Mirrani, locally called as
handeera in Saraiki, was built in the beginning of 15th century. This seems like the tomb of Shah
Rukn-e-Alam in Multan. It is located in the Mulla Quaid Shah Graveyard. Its main gate is from eastern side and two small doors are in side of north and south. In it there are 11 graves, which are of the family of Nawab Ghazi Khan Mirrani. Every side of the tomb is and from inside and there are conical minarets from the outside. Its circular distance from the earth is and half. The half diameter of the conical minarets remains on the highest of . There are 28 ladders from northern side in the internal side. The graveyard was built up around the tomb of Nawab Ghazi Khan Mirrani. This is the oldest building in the city. The tomb condition is continuously deteriorating and many social activists are raising voice to preserve this heritage.
Tomb of Ali Ahmed Qadri (Darbar Qadiriyya)
Hazrat Ali Ahmed Qadri (1898–1962) was born in 1898 in Kaithal, India.13 His father died three years after birth. He was considered to be an in-born wali. He belonged to the Qadiriyya Sufi order from the lineage of 17th-century saint Shah Kamal Qadri Kaithaly. After the
independence, he migrated to Pakistan in 1949. Initially, he settled in Kot Qaboola (Arifwala Tehsil, Pakpattan District) and Multan and then finally moved to Dera Ghazi Khan. He died in 1962 and his tomb is in Block 35.
Taunsa Barrage
Taunsa Barrage is also the location of one of the notable structures on the Indus River called Taunsa Barrage, located several kilometres north of Dera Ghazi Khan city. Taunsa Barrage produces 100,000 kilowatts of electricity. It is a best visiting place and lot of families make trip to this tourist spot. It was designated a Ramsar site on 22 March 1996. The Taunsa Barrage was completed in 1958, and it has been identified as the barrage with the highest priority for rehabilitation. It requires urgent measures to avoid severe economic and social impacts on the lives of millions of poor farmers through interruption of irrigation on two million acres (8,000 km²) and drinking water in the rural areas of southern Punjab, benefiting several million farmers. In 2003, the World Bank approved a $123 million loan to Pakistan to rehabilitate the Taunsa Barrage on the River Indus whose structure had been damaged owing to soil erosions and old-age. The project was designed to ensure irrigation of the cultivated lands in the area of the
Muzaffargarh2 and
Dera Ghazi Khan Tehsil3 canals, and through the Taunsa-Panjnad Link Canal that supplements the water supply to Panjnad headworks canals.
Ghazi Ghat
Ghazi Ghat is one of the notable structures on the Indus River, located 10 kilometres east of Dera Ghazi Khan city. It is a very beautiful village of southern part of Punjab province. Mostly baloch tribes live in this village. Some famous tribes include Bozdar (Bakhri), Chandia, Kori, Guramani and Surani. It is a best visiting place and lot of families make trip to this tourist spot. A lot of people from Multan visit this picturesque spot.There are lot of fresh river fish stalls where scores of people come to eat this delicious dish.There is a nice view of Indus River from here. Boat riding is available for rent.There is also a petrol station and a very nice and famous hotel here.
Fort Munro
Fort Munro, locally in Balochi language it is called "Nimroo". It is a
hill station in Dera Ghazi Khan which lies on the Quetta Road at 80 km west ward from Dera Ghazi Khan city in the Sulaiman Mountains Range. According to renowned research Scholar Dr. Ghulam Qasim Mujahid Baloch: "the hill station was named during the British forward policy era in 1880 on the name of Colonel Munro the commissioner Dera jaat and Layyah Division. The old Balochi name of this place was "loh larhi (the iron rock) and "Anari Molh" (the peak of pomegranates). The famous Balochi poet of Rind Era Mir Mando visited this top and narrated the classical Balochi "Fairy Poem" which is included in the "popular poetry of the Baloches" written by famous orientalist Mr. Longworth Dames the Deputy commissioner of Dere Ghazi Khan. A lake at Fort Munro on the name of Mr. Longworth Dames still exists as: "Dames Lake"(Ref: "Biaz e Dera" University College of Education (Government Elementary College) Dera Ghazi Khan, 2005, PP.176–188). The Fort Munro is away from dusty and hot climate of Multan and D.G.Khan. It is blessed with clean and cool weather. Its altitude is 18e of 00 meters (6,470 feet) above sea level and attracts many people for short stays during the summer. Many school trips and families use to go for recreation. Families from south Punjab cities, such as Multan, Muzaffar Garh, Rajanpur, Jampur, Layyah, Taunsa, Kot addu, Lodhran, Bahawalpur and Kot Mithan make trips to this beautiful hill station during summer. In summer when the temperature reaches in south Punjab, the temperature remains at .
Pir Zinda near cement factory
It is located near D. G. Khan Cement Factory some 40 km from the city. It is believed that a Sufi saint lived and preached here in Suri nala (
Rod Koh). Its nearest village is Sahar. There is small
mazar of Pir Zinda Sahib. Many people come here during pir zinda mela. Beside this mazar is its speciality, which is hot water chashma. Warm and salty water constantly comes from the ground, due to pressure. There are lot of mineral and
Sulfur rich warm water ponds and springs (chashmas). People normally take bath from these ponds, in the belief that they cure disease. These warm waters have minimum temperature of and are rich in salts and minerals, especially sulphur that is anti itching and effective in eliminating skin diseases. These are called thermal and medical baths. Many people come here for their refreshment and the hope of recovery from different diseases and sickness. The road conditions around this place are very poor.
Tribal area and Koh-Suliman Mountains
The Sulaiman Mountains, or the Kesai Mountains, are a major geological feature of southeastern Afghanistan (Zabul, most of Loya Paktia and northeastern Kandahar Province) and Pakistan (South Waziristan and most of northern Balochistan and Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur districts of Punjab). The Sulaiman Mountains form the eastern edge of the Iranian plateau where the
Indus River separates it from the
Subcontinent. Bordering the
Sulaiman Range to the north are the arid highlands of the Hindu Kush, where more than 50 percent of the lands lie above 2,000 meters.
Famous mosques
-
Jamia Masjid is the biggest Masjid of the city. It was constructed in year 1916. There is a large pool in the Masjid which is used for making ablution. It has a big hall whose length is and width is , in which 3,000 people can say their prayer at one time. Its courtyard is also wide, and can fit 10,000 men in. The minarets of the Masjid are high, in which there are 100 steps.
-
Shah Bagh Mosque was the first Mosque in which people performed their first Jumma Namaz after the destruction of the old Dera Ghazi Khan when the people of Dera Ghazi Khan moved to the new city.
-
Maulvi Fazl-e-Haq Masjid is also one of the oldest and big mosques in the city.
-
Eidgah near the Nizamabad is one of the oldest one while another Eidgah is near the Company Park.
-
Imambargah Haidrea Imam Bargah Haidrea is oldest Imambargah of the city.
-
Canal Colony Mosque (located in D.G.Khan Medical College) is also a well known mosque.
Parks of the city
-
Nawaz Sharif Park is at Quetta road near Virtual University Campus with a beautiful scenery and covering vast area. Its main gate is on Dera-Gadai road in front of the Model Town.
-
D.C. Garden has an area of 81 canals and 3 marlas. Divisional Public School and Wild Life Park was also the part of D.C. Garden. Although it is an administrative and residential area, it has natural greenery. Dera Ghazi Khan administration has made the Dera Ghazi Khan officers' club inside the D.C. Garden, where the officers play games such as squash, badminton, and tennis.
-
Company Bagh is called the second garden of the city. Its area is 162 canals and 12 Marlas. In 1948 a friends' club was made in this area. Company Bagh is used to play football, hockey, volleyball, badminton and table tennis, amongst other games
-
Ghazi Park is a decent sized theme park, and is the largest theme park in the city. It is located at the North-West outskirts of Dera Ghazi Khan. Exhibitions are arranged through part of the year since 1999, which attract many visitors. The exhibitions are held between February and March.
-
The Bank of Indus River is a peaceful picnic point for the people of Dera Ghazi Khan. From here the view of the river is beautiful. It is also known as the name of Ghazi Ghaat. Ghazi Ghaat welcomes the people coming to Dera Ghazi Khan from the eastern side. There is a boat renting service available at the river.
-
Wild Life Park Dera Ghazi Khan has recently been re-developed. It is commonly called Dera Ghazi Khan Zoo. The Wild Life Park is government funded and free to visit.
-
D.G.Khan and Kachi Canalis becoming a peaceful picnic point for the people of Dera Ghazi Khan. From here the view of both canals is beautiful. It is very near to city at and can access via airport road.It welcomes the people coming from Fort Munro, Sakhi Sarwer and Balochistan to Dera Ghazi Khan.
Churchyard
It is situated in the northern side of the Canal colony, residential colony in front of the
Central Jail Dera Ghazi Khan. It has the walls on its four sides. This churchyard could not spread because of Christian minority in the local area. This was constructed in 1910.
Economy
Agriculture
Dera Ghazi Khan is located in rich agricultural land with cotton, wheat, sugarcane, rice, tobacco being the major crops grown. Dera Ghazi Khan is also well known for its dates. The district is now connected by railroad with other parts of the country including Multan, Lahore, Karachi and Quetta.
Major crops
Wheat, sugarcane and cotton are the main crops grown in the district. Rice, jawar, bajra, moong, mash, masoor, ground nuts, maize and oil seeds such as rapeseed, mustard, and sunflower are also grown in minor quantities in the district.
Fruits
Mangoes, dates, citrus and pomegranate are the main fruits grown in the district. Dates, jaman, pears, and bananas are also grown in smaller quantities in the district.
Vegetables
Onions, carrots, cauliflower and peas are the main vegetables grown in the district. Ladyfinger, turnips, tomatoes, potatoes, garlic and chillies are also grown in the district in minor quantities.
Fish Farming
D.G. Khan is the leading district in Pakistan in fishery. About 15000 acres of land are under fishery. Mainly Indian Major Carps are cultured. Now some progressive farmers are turning to Tilapia farming as well.
Forests
An area of 100,864 acres is forested in the district. There is also linear plantation of 1250 A.V. mile the roads/rails/canals in the district. Trees grown in the area are kikar, shisham, millbury and eucalyptus.
Large industries
The prominent employers in Dera Ghazi Khan are the
D. G. Khan Cement Company Limited,
Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, the
Al-Ghazi Tractors and Rahim Bux textile Mills. It is considered that these companies, along with various other flour mills, companies in the cotton, chemical and textile industries, as well as rice, sugar, and
ghee mills, form the backbone of the Pakistan's economy. However, private sector investment is increasing rapidly and a large number of private banks and national corporations are offering their services in the city. The city also has an oil refinery owned by
OGDC located in the Sulaiman mountain, near
Taunsa. In addition to this there are also many oil rigs owned by the Dewan Group located in the tribal areas.
Dera Ghazi Khan is also famous for the production of automotive oil,air and fuel filters. Advance Auto Filters is one of the leading filters manufacturing industry in country.
Real estate
The property and real estate businesses have very much progressed in the past few years. New housing schemes near Sakhi Sarwar road,
Jampur road and Multan road have been established with all modern facilities. The capital value of rural farming land has also increased because of the huge number of expatriates in the GCC countries, who wish to come back home and live with their families by having a farm land as a source of income.
Hotels and restaurants
There are many hotels in the city like the Shalimar Hotel, Pakeza Hotel, Ajwa Hotel, Indus Hotel, D.G. Hotel, Mola Bux Hotel, Mugel-e-Azam Hotel, Alsarwar Hotel, Madina Hotel etc. Moula Bux Hotel is the oldest hotel in the city and it was established in 1935.
Markets
The following shopping Markets/Centres are situated in the city:
-
Model Bazaar is a new and modern bazaar at jail road in the city.
-
Pathar Bazaar is considered as the oldest bazaar in the city.
-
The Grain market of Dera Ghazi Khan is renowned in the south Punjab. Mostly, farmers and traders of the region are affiliated with the grain market. Cotton, rice and wheat are the major crops of the area.
-
Rani bazar is a business center situated in city Dera Ghazi Khan. All kinds of jewellery and beautiful dresses for ladies are available in this market. Mostly women purchase their items from this market.
-
The cloth market is a business centre of the city and situated in Saddar Bazar near Committee Gollai.
-
The garments market is a business centre of the city located in Block-10 behind Govt. City High School and situated in Rani Bazar near Committee Gollai.
-
The electronic market falls within the middle of the city, near the Gollai Committee.
-
The medicine market is situated near the Civil Hospital Dera Ghazi Khan. All kinds of medicine are available from the market.
-
The vegetable and fruit market is situated within the area near the Faridi bazar. A huge quantity of apple, apricots (khubani), plums(aalubukhara) and other vegetables are brought in this market from Balochistan and from there are supplied to the other districts the of Punjab province.
-
The mobile market is a big market in the heart of Dera Ghazi Khan. Every type of mobile phone and mobile-related shops are in this area.
-
The Mowaish Mandi is held in Shah Saddar-Din.
-
The spices industry Diamondstar Salt & spices is the famous name in spice industry in Dera Ghazi Khan.
Transportation
Dera Ghazi Khan International Airport
Dera Ghazi Khan International Airport is over from the city of Dera Ghazi Khan. It is near
D.G. Khan Cantonment . It has a single, double-sided
runway. It was built in 1996.
The airport provides flights to Multan, Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad. Because of high demand, it has been operating flights to and from Dubai since 2008, making it an international airport. The traffic to and from most airports is usually high, although flights to Karachi, especially, get a large number of passengers. From November 2012 Shaheen Air started its operation from this airport. In 2013 Air Indus also began its flights from this airport. FlyDubai agreed to start flights from the D.G. Khan International Airport if night landing facility is provided. Although it is international airport, a night landing facility is still not provided.
Airlines and destinations
Motorways and Road
The city is well connected with whole country by road. It is the only city in country which is at the cross of two National Highways:
N70 Quetta to Lahore and
N55 (
Indus Highway), which connects the country from Karachi to Peshawar, and
National Highway from Gwadar to Lahore also passes through Dera Ghazi Khan.
The M-5 Motorway is a planned four-lane motorway that will link Multan with Dera Ghazi Khan. It will be constructed after the completion of the M-4 Motorway. The M-6 is a planned four-lane motorway that will link Dera Ghazi Khan with Ratodero. It will be constructed after the completion of the M-5 Motorway Daewoo Express Bus Service, Faisal Movers and other bus services operate from the city to the entire country.
Pak China Link Road Via D.G.Khan
The project will help save time, cost and freight charges, as it is the shortest route between China, the Middle East and European countries through Gwadar port. Chinese companies have shown willingness to set up industries in the zone.
Gwadar port has the potential to become a free port, adding that a special status like of Hong Kong could be awarded to Gwadar.
Rail
Dera Ghazi Khan is connected with the country through
Chiltan Express and Khushal Express trains.
Demography
Population
The population according to the 1901 census of India (then a British colony) was 471,149 – the great majority being Baloch Muslims. The frontier tribes on the Dera Ghazi Khan border include the Ahmedani, Mazari, Lashari, Changwani, Jarwar, Qaisrani,Bakhri, Bozdar,Khosa, Lund, Leghari, Khetran, Nutkani(Notkani),gorgage (Balochi & Brohi speaker dwelling in Quetta & Jiwani and some saraiki speaker dwelling in dera ghazi khan ), Gurchani,Dasti, Jaskani, Marri, Mastoi,Jatoi, Mirani, Bugti, Malghani is part of Nutkani or Notkani and Bamozai Known as Akhund/Akhwand tribes, whose ancestors came in from Afghanistan around 200 years ago and settled in the old Dera Ghazi Khan.Also the local Saraiki clans, Bhatti, Langah, Khundo, Koriya, Daha, Bhutta, Metla, Mochi, Khakhi, Khakh, Hinjra, Chajra, living in the city.
Historical populations of Dera Ghazi Khan city
|
| Population |
| 720,343 |
| 1020,007 |
| 198,9680 |
| 271,3520 |
Health
In D.G. Khan, there is a civil hospital called the Divisional Headquarters Hospital (DHQ), along with many private hospitals and labs. The number of beds is being doubled from 250 to 500 in DHQ. Along with the DHQ there are several private hospitals working for the welfare of the people of Dera Ghazi Khan. The overall condition of public health is unsatisfactory in the city. Hospitals of Dera Ghazi Khan also provide services to people from neighboring areas of
Balochistan where situation of health facilities is even more deteriorated compared to Dera Ghazi Khan.
Culture
Charpai and Hamacha
In the city there is
Charpai, locally known as
khatt and Hamacha culture. Charpai and Hamacha means a big wooden cart, which are kepts at chowks and
baithaks. Normally peoples sit on charpai and hamacha in the evening and on holidays. There they discuss their daily personal, social and political issues in friendly environment.
Fairs and festivals
-
Sangh Mela, is a Vaisakhi fair during March and April, is celebrated in Sakhi Sarwar by people coming from Jhang and Faisalabad since centuries. This festival is celebrated by Hindus and Muslims especially at the time of wheat harvesting and at some places it is called as Basant. Throughout history, a large number of followers coming from different religions became the followers of Sakhi Sarwar. Max Arthur Macauliffe, a colonial office appointed in Punjab, observed in 1875 that not only Muslims but Hindus also visited the shrines during the urs. In the 1911 census of India, 79,085 Sikhs reported to be the follower of Sakhi Sarwar.
[Census of India, 1911, Vol. XIV, Punjab, Part I Report, by Pandit Harkishan Singh Kaul, 39]
-
Pir Adil Mela is also very famous which is celebrated at the shrine of Hazrat Pir Adil in a village named after him. Sometimes, the Jalsa or National Horse and Cattle Show is merged with this mela.
-
Jhand is the ceremony of first haircut of the child as part of a Rite of passage ceremonies which is very common in the rural areas of Dera Ghazi Khan as well. This ceremony usually takes place in the desi month of Chaitr at some shrine like Pir Adil or Fateh Shah.
Literature and poetry
Dera Ghazi Khan is also famous for its poets in Balochi, Saraiki and Urdu languages. The tradition of
Mushaira is still very common in the city and villages. Famous Urdu poet Mohsin Naqvi and Javed Ahsan Khan belongs to Dera Ghazi Khan.
Cuisine
Sports
Dera Ghazi Khan has a
cricket stadium which is still under construction. In DG Khan a Cricket Academy constituted by Riaz Ahmad Buttha (Zakariya Cricket Accadmy who brun a tilted and international player namely Imran Rafiq captn of Pakistan U17 Team. Other most famous Players namely Asif Fawad, Altaf Hussain, Shahzad Yousaf, Farooq Buzdar, Faisal Abdullah, Sana Mustafa. It also has a
hockey stadium but without
AstroTurf. Other popular games are shooting volleyball, kabaddi and wrestling.
Imran Abbas is a right-handed batsman and a right-arm medium fast bowler who has played for the
Pakistani cricket team.
Najeeb Amar, famous Hong Kong cricketer, was born in Dera Ghazi Khan in 1971.
Following traditional games are also very famous:
-
'Geeti Danna () or Gilli-danda is one of the famous traditional sports especially in boys in rural areas.
-
Doda Saraiki Game
-
Baandar Killa
-
Pittu Garam
-
Stapu
-
Kabaddi
-
Ludo
-
Akh Macholi
-
Yassu Panju
-
Chirri Uddi, Kawa Udda
-
Pugan Pugai
-
Luk Chhap or Chuppan Chupai
-
Bantay, also called as Chidday or Goliyan
Arts and entertainment
The city has produced various famous artists like
Tauqeer Nasir, which are known nationally and internationally. The National Arts Council, D. G. Khan is also established to promote the arts and theatre in the city.
Press and media
Daily Jang is also published from Dera Ghazi Khan
along with many local newspapers in Urdu, Saraiki and Balochi languages. Daily Kasak is also published in D.G.Khan.
==Gallery==
See also
- Notes
- Bibliography
-
"How Pakistan Made Nuclear Fuel" by Munir Ahmad Khan, former chairperson of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission: Islamabad The Nation 7 February 1998, page 7 Pakistan:.
External links
