Vehari District
| Vehari District | |
|---|---|
| — District — | |
| MMC International | |
 |
|
| Country | Pakistan |
| Province | Punjab |
| Capital | Vehari |
| Established | |
| Government | |
| • District Nazim | |
| • District Naib Nazim | |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4,373 km2 (1,688 sq mi) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 2,613,020 |
| Time zone | PST (UTC+5) |
| District Council | |
Vehari District (Urdu: ضلع وہاڑی) is a district in the Punjab province of Pakistan - the city of Vehari is the capital of the district.[1] The district was created in 1976 out of the three tehsils of Multan District (Vehari, Burewala and Mailsi). The name Vehari means low lying settlement by a flood water channel. The district lies along the right bank of the river Sutlej which forms its southern boundary.
Contents |
[edit] Geography
The district is located between 29°36′N 71°44′E / 29.6°N 71.733°E and 30°22′N 72°53′E / 30.367°N 72.883°E and borders with Bahawalnagar and Bahawalpur on the southern side, with Pakpattan on the eastern, with Khanewal and Lodhran on western and with Sahiwal and Khanewal on northern side.
The total area of the district is 4,364 square kilometres (1,685 sq mi). It is about 93 kilometres (58 mi) in length and approximately 47 kilometres (29 mi) in breadth and it is sloping gently from northeast to southwest.
The district consists of plain area with fertile land. It is a part of Indus plain. It has the best cultivated land which is suitable for cotton, wheat and other agricultural crops. Vehari district lies Nili Bar which is between Ravi and Bias and Sutlej rivers. Its land is irrigated with the fertile water of Chenab and Ravi rivers. Vehari District has a big canal system with two canals namely Pakpatan and Mailsi canal. The total number of canals including their minors in the district are 19 with a total length of about 1,380.
[edit] Nullahs
The Bias River, or Beas River, is known locally as the Viyah. The old bed of the river is known as Sukh Bias. During heavy floods nominal water flow into the nullah. The stream enters Vehari district near Sheikh Fazal and joins Satluj River via Pakhi More and Pul. The path of the nullah has changed over the years; it currently joins Satluj River via Burewala.
[edit] Administration
The district of Vehari is administratively subdivided into three tehsils these are:[1]
[edit] History
Vehari District is the result of construction of the Pakpattan canal from Sulemanki Head Works on the Sutlej and the institution of Nili Bar colony project in 1925, so called because of the hints of blue in the water of the Sutlej. The ancient history of the district is obscure. The populated areas in ancient times was restricted to the banks of the river Sutlej where seasonal inundation permitted some cultivation. The rest of the area was a vast sandy scrap-land at best affording pastures itinerant herdsmen. The riparian tract formed the state of Fatehpur during the time of Akbar the Great. This was ruled by Fateh Khan of Joya family who founded and gave his name to the town of Fatehpur. Fatehpur is still in existence about 15 kilometres to the south of Mailsi and is the oldest town of Mailsi subdivision. It has some remains of archaeological value.
In May 2002, Vehari District was the scene of a shootout between members of the Sunni militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and local Shia villagers. LeJ members had come to a local village to stage an attack on a prominent local Shia, but were met with local armed resistance. In the ensuing shootout, all four LeJ members were killed, including their leader, Riaz Basra.[2][3]
[edit] Language
Punjabi is the first language of most of the people in the district. Saraiki and Urdu are also spoken.
[edit] Sports
In sports, Vehari has produced many talents. It is famous in the field of hockey. Famous players in the history of the game include:
- Waqar Younis, former Captain Pakistan Cricket Team and a very famous bowler and widely regarded as one of the best fast bowlers of all time.
- Waseem Ahmed, ex Olympian and former captain of Pakistan National Hockey Team. He is one of the best left half produced by the world. He also got selected in World XI.
- Saleem Sherwani, ex hockey Olympic champion and world hockey champion.
- Sajjad Anwar International Player, represented Pakistan National Hockey Team.
- Waqas Akbar, Olympian and currently representing Pakistan National Hockey.
- Malik Kashif, currently representing Pakistan National Hockey.
[edit] Education
Education institutes in Vehari District include:
- COMSATS University of Science and Technology, Vehari campus
- University of Education (UE), Vehari campus (established 2002)
- Bilal Higher Secondary School
- Divisional Public School, Vehari
- City School
[edit] Weather
The climate of the district is hot and dry. The summer season starts in April and continues until October. May, June, and July are the hottest months. The mean maximum and minimum temperatures for these months are about 47 and 28 degrees Celsius. Dry, hot, and dusty winds are common during summer. The winter season lasts from November to March. December, January and February are the coldest months. The mean maximum and minimum temperatures for this period are about 22 and 4 °C. Fog is very common during winter.
Most of the area's rain falls during the monsoon season from July to September. During winter season there is very little rain, however, deluges and floods can occur.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Tehsils & Unions in the District of Vehari - Government of Pakistan
- ^ Police kill Pakistan's most wanted man BBC News, 14 May 2002
- ^ Howard D. French For Militant, No Glorified End, but Death in the Dust New York Times, May 19, 2002
