Hafizabad District

Hafizabad District (Urdu: ضلع حافظ آباد ‎) is located in Punjab, Pakistan. Hafizabad was made a district in 1991; formerly, it was a tehsil of Gujranwala District. It is situated in central Punjab and is known for its rice industry on the agricultural side and Rice industry on the industrial side and have top 5 exporters of rice from Pakistan . Thapital of the district, Hafizabad, was built by the Mughal emperor Akbar, known for strengthening administration of Punjab.

Hafizabad is known as "Sheraz-e-Hind" (Shiraz) since many poets and scholars of international repute were born in the area, including Arif Saharni and Hanif Saqi.

History

In 327 BC, when Alexander the Great invaded modern Pakistan, the territory of the Sandal Bar (where Hafizabad is now located) was a populated area. Big cities were located in here, and a lot of sub-states were organized here in the presidency of native Maharajas and Rajas. The Punjab region became predominantly Muslim due tomissionary Sufi saints whose dargahs dot the landscape of Punjab region. Hafizabad was formerly a place of some importance, and is mentioned in the Ain-i-Akbari as head-quarters of a mahal. Hafiz, the founder, was a favourite of emperor Akbar. Hafizabad is an old city.

The area along the Chenab River was settled by HEIR MUSLIM JATT Tarar Muslim Jats & Chatha Muslim Jats. After the decline of the Mughal Empire, the Sikh invaded and occupied Hafizabad District. The Muslims faced severe restrictions during the Sikh rule.

The predominantly Muslim population supported Muslim League and Pakistan Movement. After the independence of Pakistan in 1947, the minority Hindus and Sikhsmigrated to India while the Muslim refugees from India settled in the Hafizabad District.

Before the formation of Pakistan in 1947, the two sub-castes of Hindus, namely, Kapurs and Chopras dominated the area. Kapurs were the landed gentry and Chopras formed the educated class of administrators and litterateurs. After formation of Pakistan, the Hindus and Sikhs migrated to India and played an important role there.

Geography

Hafizabad is situated at 800 feet (240 m) above sea-level in central Punjab. The district is located between 32°-20' north latitudes and 73°-12' and 73°-46' east longitude. The river Chenab forms the northern and northwestern boundary of the district. Hafizabad shares its borders with Sheikhupura District and Gujranwala District in the east,Mandi Bahauddin District in the north, Sargodha District in the west, Faisalabad and Chiniot District in the south. Hafizabad is situated at a distance of 303 km from the Federal Capital, Islamabad, and is 109 km away from the Provincial Capital, Lahore.^[1] The district has a total area of 2,367 square kilometres and comprises two tehsils, namely Hafizabad and Pindi Bhattian. Major cities are KALEKE MANDI, SUKHEKE MANDI, JALALPUR BHATTIAN and VANIKAY TARRAR.

Climate

The climate of the district is hot and dry during the summer and moderately cold in the winter. The maximum summer temperature in the month of June is 48 °C (118 °F), while in winter, during January, the lowest minimum temperature is 1 °C (34 °F). Owing to the proximity of the hills, there is more rainfall in the east than the west. The monsoon season usually starts in the middle of July and continues until September. The soil is alluvial and fertile.^[1]

Industry

Rice & Power Loom industry are also important industries, located in Hafizabad city. Hafizabad Power Loom industry is directly connected with Faisalabad, that is the major industrial city in Pakistan

Demographics

According to the 1998 census, the district had a population of 832,980, of which 26.73% were urban.^[2]

97% of the population are Muslim, while Christians and Ahmadis represent 2.9% and 0.1%, respectively. Punjabi is the dominant language at 98.7%, while other languages spoken in the district are Urdu (0.9%), Pushto (0.3%) and Siraiki (0.1%).^[1]

Language

The Punjabi is the most spoken language. Urdu is also spoken while English is spoken by the educated elite.

Education

Hafizabad has many colleges; the most famous are Government Degree College for men and Islamia Girls College for women. But technical institutes are now opened. Most famous secondary school is Govt.high school No.1 and Government Higher Secondary School Kaleki Mandi,Punjab college and Superiour Collage.