Okara, Pakistan
Okara
اوکاڑہ | |
|---|---|
  The shrine of Khoo Pak, Company Bagh | |
  Okara  Okara | |
| Coordinates: 30°48′33″N 73°27′13″E / 30.80917°N 73.45361°E | |
| Country |  Pakistan |
| Province |  Punjab |
| Division | Sahiwal |
| District | Okara |
| Government | |
| • Deputy Commissioner | Muhammad Ali Ijaz[1] |
| Area | |
| • Metro | 4,377 km2 (1,690 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 105 m (344 ft) |
| Population | |
| • City | 357,935 |
| • Rank | 25th, Pakistan |
| Time zone | UTC+5 (PST) |
| Highways |  N-5 |
| Number of Union councils | 10 |
| Website | okara |
Okara (Punjabi, Template:Lang-ur), is the capital city of Okara District in the Punjab province of Pakistan.[4] The name Okara is derived from Okaan, which is the name of a type of tree.[2][5] It is the 23rd largest city of Pakistan by population.[6] The city is located southwest of the city of Lahore and Faisalabad is 100 km bypassing away Ravi River. It is known for its agriculture-based economy and cotton mills. The nearest major city to Okara is Sahiwal, which was formerly known as Montgomery. Kasur is also located in the east of the city. Pakistan military dairy farms, known for their cheese, are situated in Okara. Pul Dhool near Abdulla Sugar Mill is a town in the Okara district. Pul Dhool is on Hujra Chunian road. From Hujra Shah Muqeem 9KM and from Chunian 17KM.These farms were established before the creation of Pakistan in 1947.
Climate
The climate of Okara is usually warm and dry. The coldest months are December to February, when temperatures may drop to 3 °C (37 °F), with moderate rainfall. The hottest months are May to July, when temperatures may reach 45 °C (113 °F). The annual average rainfall in the city is approximately 548 millimetres (21.6 in).[2]
History
Okara is a relatively new agricultural city; during the period of British rule there was a forest of Okaan where the city has been rebuilt, and from this, the name of the city was derived.[2] During British rule, the area was part of Montgomery District and contained a large saltpeter refinery.[7] There are many textile mills in Okara. The predominantly Muslim population supported the Muslim League and the Pakistan Movement. After the independence of Pakistan in 1947, the Muslim refugees settled in the Okara District. In 1982, the city became the headquarters of the newly created Okara District. Okara has had a railway line since 1892.
Okara is known for its cattle breed known as Sahiwal and a water buffalo breed known as Niliravi. It is very rich in livestock population and production. Livestock Production Research Institute Bahadar Nagar Farm is a very large government farm near Okara. The farm has many cows, buffalo, bulls (for reproduction), goats, and sheep.
Olympian Liaqat Ali Wahlah
Ali was awarded a wildcard for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, the UK where he represented Pakistan by competing in the 100m. He eventually came fourth in the men's 100-meter preliminary race with a time of 10.90 seconds. He missed the third position by just 0.01 seconds and thus did not qualify for the next round.[3] He won two Bronze medals for Pakistan at the 2010 South Asian games. Ali has participated in 17 international competitions and has secured a medal in each. He has also represented Pakistan at the 2009 and 2013 World Athletics championships.[4] Ali has completed the IAAF Level 1 coach course, He is now a certified IAAF coach.
Demography
The majority of the population of Okara are Punjabi-speaking Muslims. The main tribes and clans include: Sayyed, Rai Family,Khichi, Arain, Rajpoot, Sial, Jats, Shaikhs, Lodhis, Dhall Jutt, Kharals, Kamyanas, Wattus, Kambohs, Noons, Bhutta, Jakkhar, Malik Awan and Khanzadas.[citation needed]
Administration
The city of Okara serves as district and tehsil capital and is itself administratively subdivided into ten Union councils.[4]
Education
Schools
- District Public School and College, Okara.
- Holy Family Convent Boys/Girls High School, G.T. Road, Okara.
- The Brilliant Academy, Okara.
- Al-Furqan School Okara.
- Superior Shah Muqeem High School Rana Basit Town Near DHQ Hospital South City Okara
- Noble Education Kids School, Okara
- The Educators Sir Syed Campus
- Falcon Public High School, Okara
- Al-Huda Educational complex High school Lasharian, Okara
- Tooba (2) school of science education kohla, Okara
- Iqbal Educational Complex
- Ashfaq Educational School
- M.S. Scholar’s High School Okara
- Suffa Educational Complex
- Government High School 32/2-R-A okara
- Government MC Model High School
- Government Commerce College Okara
- Government Islamia High School (City Campus)
- Government Islamia High School (New Campus)
- Government CMR High School
- Government Sutlej High School
- Government High School 31/2-L Okara
- Government Girls High School 31/2-L Okara
- Government Primary School 29-30/2-L Okara
- Government High School 32/2-L Okara
- Government Girls High School 32/2-L Okara
- Government Boys High School 48/3R Okara
- Government High School Chak NO.27/4 Shahbhore
- Government MC High School Ladies Park Okara
- Government Junior Model Girls High School Okara
- The House of Knowledge School System, Chaudhary Colony Faisalabad Road, Okara City
- Christ Church School, Church Road, Okara City
- Govt Boys High School 52/2.L Okara
- Govt Girls Higher Secondary School 52/2.L Okara
- Convent High School Chak No.6/4-L Okara
- Convent High School Chak No.10/4-L Okara
- Allied School Okara
- Beaconhouse School System Okara Campus
- The City School Okara Campus
- Hassan Middle School Okara
- Motivational Speaker By Salman Kamboh
Colleges
- Punjab College Okara
- DPS College Okara
- Cadet College Okara
- Concordia College Okara
- Falcon Public School Okara
- Professional College Of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okara
- Government college of commerce okara
- Government Degree College Okara
- Suffa Educational Complex School and College, Okara
- Superior College Okara
- Uni Tech Institute of Management Sciences (UCMT) Karmawala Town, Okara
- Vocational Training Institute, Okara
- Aspire College Okara
sufa school and college, okara govt.primary school 37/37 2 RA,okara
Universities
- The University of Okara is located in Okara. It is located on the highway to Lahore Near Renala.
- the University of Agriculture is also setting up its campus in Okara. This campus is also located on the highway to Lahore.
- Motivational Lecturer Salman Kamboh Complex
Politics
Political leaders
- NA-142 Chaudhry Riaz-ul-Haq[8]
- PP-188 Mian Yawar Zaman[9]
- PP-189 Muneeb-ul-Haq[10]
- NA-143 Ch Nadeem Abbas Rabera
See also
References
- ^ "Punjab CM appoints juniors as DCs in 22 districts". Pakistan Observer (newspaper). 6 January 2022. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
- ^ a b c d Okara on Punjab Portal, Government of Punjab website Retrieved 11 April 2021
- ^ City population of Okara listed Retrieved 11 April 2021
- ^ a b "Tehsils & Unions in the District of Okara". Government of Pakistan website. 27 November 2011. Archived from the original on 9 February 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
- ^ (Ikram Junaidi) Okara farms dispute nearing 'amicable solution' Dawn (newspaper), Published 14 February 2017, Retrieved 11 April 2021
- ^ "Pakistan City & Town Population List". Tageo.com website. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
- ^ Punjab - Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 20, p. 312.
- ^ "National Assembly of Pakistan".
- ^ "Punjab Assembly | Members - Members' Directory".
- ^ Profile of Muneeb-ul-Haq on Provincial Assembly Of The Punjab website Retrieved 11 April 2021
