Okara City

Okara
اوکاڑہ‬
City
The shrine of Khoo Pak
Okara
Okara
Coordinates: 30°48′33″N 73°27′13″E / 30.80917°N 73.45361°E / 30.80917; 73.45361Coordinates: 30°48′33″N 73°27′13″E / 30.80917°N 73.45361°E / 30.80917; 73.45361
Country Pakistan
Province Punjab
District Okara District
Area
 • Total 199 km2 (77 sq mi)
Elevation 105 m (344 ft)
Population (2017 census)[1]
 • Total 326,801
Time zone UTC+5 (PST)
Highways N-5
Number of Union councils 10

Okara (Punjabi, Urdu: اوکاڑا‬‎), is the capital city of Okara District in the Punjab province of Pakistan.[2] The name Okara is derived from Okaan, the name of a type of tree.[3] The city is located southwest of the city of Lahore and Faisalabad is 100 km by passing away Ravi River. It is famous for its agriculture-based economy and cotton mills. The nearest major city to Okara is Sahiwal, formerly known as Montgomery.

Okara is a fairly large district in Pakistan in terms of population.There are famous Pakistan military dairy farms, especially famous for their cheese, situated in Okara. These farms were established before the creation of Pakistan in 1947. the privately run Mitchell's farms also are located in the nearby town, Renala Khurd, in the Okara District. Okara's postal code is 56300.

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.[3] During British rule, the area was part of Montgomery District and contained a large saltpeter refinery.[4] A large number of textile mills are located 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.[3]

Okara is famous 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 a large number of cows, buffalo, bulls (for reproduction), goats and sheep.

Demography

The majority of the population of Okara are Punjabi speaking Muslims. The main tribes and clans include: Zaidi,Naqvi,Rizvi,Kazmi,Gillani,Kirmani Rajputs Clans as (Toors, Bhattis,Nonaris, Siyals, Wattus, Rangarhs, Kamyanas etc.), Shaikhs, Lodhis, Kharals, Kambohs, Khanzadas, Noons Arains and the Chaudhary are prominent. However, the Jats population is less compared to other communities. The major politician in Okara is Rao Sikandar Iqbal Rangarh who was the former Defence Minister of Pakistan, Okara city was established in the nineteenth century by the British Raj.

Administration

The city of Okara serves as district and tehsil capital and is itself administratively subdivided into ten Union councils.[2]

Agriculture

The city of Okara is renowned in producing of Maize, potato and Dairy products. Okara is known as Pakistan's largest city for production of these commodities.[5]

Education

Schools

  • Iqbal Educational Complex
  • Ashfaq Educational school
  • M.S.Scholar’s High School Okara
  • Suffa Educational Complex
  • Government MC Model High School,
  • Government Islamia High School(City Campus),
  • Government Islamia High School(New Campus)
  • Government CMR High School
  • Government Sutlej High School
  • Government High School 48/3R Okara

Colleges

Universities

  • 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 10 km highway to Lahore.
  • University of Agriculture is also setting down its campus in Okara. This campus is also located on highway to Lahore.

Politics

Political Leaders

  • NA-141 Pending due to elections
  • PP-190 Vacant due to elections
  • PP-191 Vacant due to elections[6]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.citypopulation.de/Pakistan-100T.html
  2. 1 2 Tehsils & Unions in the District of Okara - Government of Pakistan Archived February 9, 2012, at the Wayback Machine.
  3. 1 2 3 Okara, a neglected city
  4. ↑ Punjab - Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 20, p. 312.
  5. ↑ Punjab Agriculture Department
  6. ↑ http://na.gov.pk/en/all_members.php

Statistics on Okara from Official Website of Bureau of Statistics, Government of Punjab

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