SafekipediaRahim Yar Khan District
Adapted from Wikipedia · Discoverer experience
Rahim Yar Khan District (Urdu: ضلع رحیم یار خان, Punjabi: ضلع رحیم یار خان) is a district in the province of Punjab, Pakistan. The main city and headquarters of the district is Rahim Yar Khan. This area is known for its rich culture and history, and it is an important part of Pakistan's Punjab region. People in Rahim Yar Khan District live in villages and towns, and they work in farming and other trades. The district has many interesting places to visit, and it helps connect people to the beautiful landscapes and traditions of Pakistan.
Administrative
The district of Rahim Yar Khan is divided into four smaller areas called tehsils.
| Tehsil | Area (km2) | Pop. (2023) | Density (ppl/km2) (2023) | Literacy rate (2023) | Union Councils |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khanpur | 3,190 | 1,169,138 | 366.50 | 50.08% | 29 |
| Liaqatpur | 3,262 | 1,235,264 | 378.68 | 38.35% | 37 |
| Rahim Yar Khan | 2,464 | 1,978,542 | 721.81 | 69.66% | 49 |
| Sadiqabad | 2,964 | 1,381,759 | 466.18 | 47.04% | 34 |
History
The whole area of Rahim Yar Khan District used to be part of the Bahawalpur State before a big change happened in the country. It became its own separate district in 1943. The district is named after its main city, Rahim Yar Khan. That city used to be called "Naushehra" until 1881. The leader of Bahawalpur changed its name to avoid mixing it up with another city called Nowshera, naming it after his first son, Rahim Yar Khan.
Geography
Rahim Yar Khan District is located between 27°40'-29°16' north latitudes and 60°45'-70°01' east longitudes. It is near the Indus River and Panjnad River. The district is bordered to the north by Muzaffargarh District, to the east by Bahawalpur District, to the south by Jaisalmer district in India and Ghotki District in Sindh, and to the west by Rajanpur District. It also includes two areas within Sindh, Kharor and Machka, which are next to Ghotki District and Kashmore District.
The district has three main areas: the riverside area, the canal-irrigated area, and the desert area known as Cholistan. The riverside area is close to the Indus River and lies mainly in the river bed. The canal-irrigated area is to the south, separated by a main embankment called Minchan Bund, and its height is about 150 to 200 meters above sea level. Cholistan, the desert area, is south of the irrigated land and goes up to the border between India and Pakistan. The desert has sand dunes that can reach up to 150 meters high and is covered with plants that grow in sandy places.
Demographics
Rahim Yar Khan district is home to many families. As of the 2023 census, it had 826,942 households and a population of 5,564,703 people. About 30% of the people are children under the age of 10, and around 24% live in towns and cities.
Most people in Rahim Yar Khan follow the Muslim faith, making up over 96% of the population. A small group, about 3%, follows Hinduism. There are also tiny numbers of Christians and others.
The main languages spoken are Saraiki and Punjabi. Many people also speak Urdu, Sindhi, Balochi, and Hindko.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1951 | 664,234 | — |
| 1961 | 1,015,715 | +4.34% |
| 1972 | 1,398,879 | +2.95% |
| 1981 | 1,841,451 | +3.10% |
| 1998 | 3,141,053 | +3.19% |
| 2017 | 4,807,762 | +2.27% |
| 2023 | 5,564,703 | +2.47% |
| Sources: | ||
| Religion | 2017 | 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pop. | % | Pop. | % | |
Islam  | 4,639,554 | 96.50% | 5,354,426 | 96.27% |
Hinduism  | 150,093 | 3.12% | 176,416 | 3.17% |
Christianity  | 14,205 | 0.30% | 27,057 | 0.49% |
| Ahmadi | 998 | 0.02% | 779 | 0.01% |
| Others | 2,912 | 0.06% | 3,042 | 0.06% |
| Total Population | 4,807,762 | 100% | 5,561,720 | 100% |
Education
Rahim Yar Khan District has a high literacy rate, with nearly everyone able to read and write at the basic school level. The district is home to important educational institutions, including Sheikh Zaid Medical College, which is connected to Sheikh Zaid Hospital. Two well-known universities in Punjab, Khawaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology and Islamia University of Bahawalpur, as well as several government schools and colleges, are located here. These schools help students in the area get good education.
Health
Rahim Yar Khan District has several hospitals that are open and ready to help people stay healthy.
| Name | Type | Established |
|---|---|---|
| DHQ Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan | Public | |
| Shaikh Zayed Medical College and Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan | Public | 2003 |
Sugarcane
Rahim Yar Khan District has started growing more sugarcane recently. In 2020, the area used for growing sugarcane grew to 430,000 acres, up from 310,000 acres in 2014–15. There are six sugar mills in the district.
Notable people
Rahim Yar Khan District has been home to many well-known people. Some of them include Makhdoom Altaf Ahmed, who served as a Provincial Minister for Finance and Taxation in Punjab. Begum Ishrat Ashraf was a famous politician in Pakistan.
Other notable individuals from the district are Aima Baig, a popular singer, and Talha Chahour, an actor. Muniba Mazari is known as a motivational speaker. Many others have contributed to politics, sports, and public service from this district.
Neighbourhoods
Rahim Yar Khan District has many towns and villages. Some well-known places include Allah Abad, Bhong Masjid, Fateh Pur, Firoza, Iqbalabad, Khanpur Katora, Kot Sabzal, Liaquatpur, Mian Wali Qureshian, Patan minara, Rahim Yar Khan city, Sadiqabad, and Zāhir Pīr. These areas are important parts of the district.
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