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 | |
| • MNA | Chaudhry Riaz-ul-Haq |
| • MPA | Muneeb-ul-Haq |
| 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 | Lua error in Module:Jct at line 204: attempt to concatenate local 'link' (a boolean value). |
| Number of Union councils | 10 |
| Website | https://okara.city |
Okara (Punjabi, Urdu: اوکاڑا), is the capital city of Okara District in the Punjab province of Pakistan.[3] The name Okara is derived from Okaan, the name of a type of tree.[4] It is the 25th largest city of Pakistan by population.[5] The city is located southwest of the city of Lahore and Faisalabad is 100 km by passing away Ravi River. It is known for its agriculture-based economy and cotton mills. The nearest major city to Okara is Sahiwal, formerly known as Montgomery. Pakistan military dairy farms, known for their cheese, are situated in Okara. Pul Dhool near Abdulla Sugar Mill is town in district Okara. 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 509 millimetres (20.0 in).
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 re-built, and from this the name of the city was derived.[4] During British rule, the area was part of Montgomery District and contained a large saltpeter refinery.[6] 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.[4]
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.
Demography
The majority of the population of Okara are Punjabi-speaking Muslims. The majority of the population of Okara are Punjabi speaking Muslims. The main tribes and clans include: Jats, Shaikhs, Lodhis, Kharals, Kamyanas, Wattus, Kambohs, Noons, Bhutta, Jakkhar, and Khanzadas.[citation needed] A well known politician from Okara is Chaudhary Nadeem Abbas Raberira who was the former Minister for Shomaali Ilaaqa Jaat and Azaad Kushmeer of Pakistan.
Administration
The city of Okara serves as district and tehsil capital and is itself administratively subdivided into ten Union councils.[3]
Agriculture
The city of Okara is Pakistan's largest producer of maize, potato and dairy products.[7]
Education
Schools
- Noble Education Kids School, 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 48/3R Okara
- Government High School Chak NO.37/4-L Jhakhraan waala
- 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
- Holy Family Convent Girls' Middle School, G.T. Road, Okara
- 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
- Become House School System Okara Campus
- The City School Okara Campus
- Hassan Midel School Okara
Colleges
- Cadet College Okara
- Concordia College Okara
- DPS College Okara
- Falcon Public School Okara
- Professional College Of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okara
- Government Degree College Okara
- Punjab 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
Universities
- The University of Okara is located in Okara. It has two campuses; one is located inside the city near Samadpura and the other one is located on the highway to Lahore.
- University of Agriculture is also setting down its campus in Okara. This campus is also located on the highway to Lahore.
Politics
Political leaders
- NA-142 Chaudhry Riaz-ul-Haq[8]
- PP-188 Mian Yawar Zaman[9]
- PP-189 Muneeb-ul-Haq[10]
- Ward No. 32 Inshallah Next Councilor Asad Ullah
References
- ^ https://www.punjab.gov.pk/okara
- ^ http://www.citypopulation.de/Pakistan-100T.html
- ^ a b Tehsils & Unions in the District of Okara - Government of Pakistan Archived February 9, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c Okara, a neglected city
- ^ "Pakistan City & Town Population List". Tageo.com website. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
- ^ Punjab - Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 20, p. 312.
- ^ Punjab Agriculture Department
- ^ http://na.gov.pk/en/all_members.php
- ^ https://www.pap.gov.pk/members/listing/en
- ^ https://www.pap.gov.pk/members/listing/en
Statistics on Okara from official website of Bureau of Statistics, Government of Punjab