Punjab-Vehari

Brief History – Governmental Structure – Administrative Divisions – Historical/ Heritage Buildings, Tourist Attractions

Brief History of Vehari District

Vehari district is situated in the Nili Bar[1] area of Punjab. After the construction of Pakpattan Canal from Sulemanki Headworks on River Sutlej, the British initiated the development of the Nili Bar Colony Project in 1925 to settle areas receiving canal waters off-taking from the Sutlej River under the Sutlej Valley Project. This Project ended in 1940 and was the last major colonization project undertaken by the British. The project area was located in Bari Doab and was part of Multan and Montgomery districts (now Sahiwal district).[2] Vehari town was one of the towns developed as a result of this colonization project

Vehari literally means low-lying riverine settlement. It is situated on the right bank of River Sutlej, in the heart of the Nili Bar.

The ancient history of the district is the same as that of Multan and Sahiwal districts, which has been recounted in the relevant chapters.

The populated areas of the district in ancient times were 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 to itinerant herdsmen.

Mailsi tehsil is the oldest part of the district. The name of this tehsil has been derived from the Malli clans who have inhabited this area since pre-historic times. When Alexander the Great invaded Multan (326-325 BC), he was able to capture the city easily, but the fort where the Mallis had taken refuge had very high walls requiring ladders for climbing. As the Greeks placed ladders to try and climb the walls, they were assaulted by arrows and had to disperse. After waiting for some time, Alexander grew impatient, and tried to jump over the citadel wall with only two of his bodyguards. He was able to jump into the citadel but one arrow seriously wounded him. Having seen their king jump over the walls, the Greeks took heart and did the same, thus winning the battle with the Malli people either being killed or captured. Subsequent to this invasion, the Malli people moved north of Sutlej River. The history of the area is silent after this, and the next mention of Vehari is during the Arab invasions in the 8th century AD. From this period, Mailsi tehsil’s history is the same as that of Multan, which is described in the chapter on Multan.

During and after Arab rule, a number of pious and learned Muslim men from Khorasan and Western Iran settled in Multan and were instrumental in converting the Hindus of the area to Islam.

Joiya Tribe (a Rajput tribe) was the most dominant tribe in the Mailsi tehsil during the rule of the Mughal Emperor, Akbar the Great (1542-1605). The Joiya tribe colonized the country on the Bar. Earlier, the Joiyas had been ousted from their capital Rang Mahal (ruins of this city are still present in Ganganagar, India) by the Rathor tribe. The Joiyas, thus, settled in the Sutlej valley. Their Chief, Fateh Khan, founded the town of Fatehpur[3] and gave it his name. Later, Daulat Khan Joiya and his descendants (the Daulatanas) ruled this area including Kahror. The Bhattis ultimately drove the Joiyas out of Kahror, but in 1754, Amir Mubarrik Khan Abbasi (Daudputra Chief) conquered the region, and made these areas part of his Bahawalpur State. The Joiyas still hold lands along the banks of River Sutlej all the way down to its confluence with River Indus through Bahawalpur and Multan.

Throughout Mughal rule in India, Multan was an outlying province of the Delhi Empire, and by 1752, it had become a province owing allegiance to the Afghan Kings of Kabul. The Pathan tribes, especially the Sadozais (1648) settled in Multan and Rangpur.[4] These Pathan tribes, recognized as the Multani Pathans, gained a lot of power, and became the rulers of Multan, which became independent of Kabul. The tehsil of Mailsi, which had been seized by the Daudputras, remained under the Daudputras. These Daudputra chiefs continued to acquire various areas under lease from the rulers of Multan. The rule of the Daudputras in the Sutlej Tehsils (Mailsi and Shujaabad of Multan) lasted for 80 to 90 years, during which time, a number of developmental works were carried out, especially the digging of canals which brought many areas under irrigation.[5]

The Pathan Rule lasted in Multan from 1779 to 1819, when the district was taken over by the forces of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. After the Second Anglo-Sikh War in 1849, the area was annexed by the British.

During the War of Independence in 1857, the troops in Multan mutinied against the British, but were driven towards the rivers, where they either drowned, or were killed by the British troops.

The administration of Mailsi tehsil remained unchanged during British Rule, and the areas forming Vehari district were made a part of Pakistan in August 1947.

Vehari district was part of Multan district up till 1976. In 1976, for administrative reasons, Vehari was created by separating three tehsils from Multan: Mailsi, Burewala, and Vehari.

Governmental Structure; Vehari District

At the Federal level, Vehari district is allocated a set number of representatives in both the National Assembly and the Provincial Assembly:

• Number of seats in the National Assembly 4
• Number of seats in the Provincial Assembly 8

Under the Local Government and Community Development Vehari district has 1 District Council and 3 Municipal Committees as follows:

• Vehari
• Burewala
• Mailsi

Administrative Divisions; Vehari district

Vehari district has an area of 4,364 km² and is divided into 3 tehsils as follows:

Vehari Tehsil	26 Union Councils
Burewala Tehsil	32 Union Councils
Mailsi Tehsil	31 Union Councils

Table 1.2 Vehari Administrative Divisions

Historical/Heritage Buildings, Tourist Attractions; Vehari District

The following buildings are protected under the laws of Pakistan:

• Shrine of Hazrat Diwan Chawali Mashaikh, Burewala (or Baba Haji Sher Dewan Chawali); Vehari district: This saint is believed to be one of the earliest Muslim Saints to practice and preach in the area. Baba Guru Nanak is known to have visited this area. A Tap Asthan (temple or gurdwara) called Baba Guru Nanak Dev is situated near the shrine
• Shrine of Hazrat Abu-Bakar Barraq, Mailsi; Vehari district

Figure 1.3 Shrine of Baba Haji Sher Dewan Chawali

 

[1] The Nili Bar area lies between the Rivers Ravi and Sutlej. ‘Bar’ is the name given to areas in Punjab which were thick forests before the advent of the modern canal irrigation system. Its soil is very fertile, as this plain is formed by the mud that has been collected by rivers flowing from the Himalayas. The Nili Bar region consists of the districts of Sahiwal, Okara, Pakpattan and Chichawatni. The region is called Nili (blue) because of the hints of blue in the water of the Sutlej. This region is famous for the cow/ buffalo breed, the Nili Ravi breed.

[2] Imran Ali. The Punjab under Imperialism 1885-1947, Princeton UP, 1988

[3] Fatehpur still exists, about 15 km south of Mailsi, and is the oldest town in Mailsi tehsil.

[4] Multan District Gazetteer 1907

[5] Punjab District Gazetteers Multan District 1923-24

Topography of Vehari district

Vehari means low-lying settlements by a flood water channel. The district is located along the right bank of the River Sutlej, which forms its southern boundary. Thus, the district is part of the Indus Plain, and is situated in the Nili Bar region, which is the area between Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej rivers. Its land is irrigated with the fertile water of Chenab and Ravi rivers. There are no mountains or hills in the district. It is known for its sweet underground water.

Topographically, the district may be divided into 2 parts: a riverine area and an upland or plain area. The riverine area is close to the River Sutlej, which flows in the district’s east along its boundary with Bahawalnagar and Bahawalpur districts. It is generally inundated by the water of the Sutlej, especially during the summer Monsoon season.

The plain area or the upland is in the west, away from the river. The approximate height of this area is 150 m above sea level.

Rivers, Streams, and Lakes; Vehari district

There is only one river, the Sutlej, in the district. It flows along the district’s southern boundary.

The old bed of River Beas, known as Sukh Beas, lies in the district. Sometimes, during heavy rains, water flows in this nullah. This stream enters the district near Sheikh Fazal, and joins River Sutlej via Pakhi More and Pul. The path of this nullah changed in 1996, and it now joins River Sutlej via Burewala.

There are no lakes or marshes in the district, and the irrigation canals provide surface waters.

Forests; Vehari district

At present, there are no forests in the district, but an area of 198 HA has been marked under the Forest Division of Vehari, which has been handed over to the District Government for planting and development.

Soils; Vehari district

The soils of the district are alluvial in character. These soils have been deposited by the rivers¾River Beas[1] which used to flow in the north, and River Sutlej that flows in the south.

Climate; Vehari district

The climate of the district is hot and dry. The summer season starts from April, and continues till October. May, June, and July are the hottest months, when the mean maximum and minimum temperatures stay in the range of 42 °C and 28 °C. Dry, hot, and dusty winds are common during the summer months.

Winter season lasts from November to March, with December, January, and February being the coldest months. During this period, the mean maximum and minimum temperatures stay between 22 °C and 8 °C respectively.

July, August, and September are the Monsoon months, when most of the rainfall of the district is received. During winter, there is very little rain. Mean average annual rainfall in the district is about 127 mm.

Seismic Activity/Seismicity; Vehari district

The district belongs to Zone 2A of the Seismic Zone Map of Pakistan which means minor to no damage due to earthquakes.

[1] The waters of River Beas were given to India under the Indus Water Treaty

Population of Vehari district

The following table shows the population of the district and its tehsils as per 2017 Census:

District/Tehsil	Area km2	Population	Male%	Female%	Urban %	Growth Rate%
Vehari District	4,364	2,897,446	50.5	49.5	17.5	1.73
Burewala Tehsil	1,295	1,015,385
Mailsi Tehsil	1,639	953,895
Vehari Tehsil	1,430	928,116

Table 1.3 Vehari Population Statistics

Religions; Vehari district[1]

Muslims	98.8%
Christians	1.0%
Hindus	Negligible %
Ahmadis	0.1%
Schedule Castes	Negligible %
Others	0.1%

Table 1.4 Vehari Religions

Languages; Vehari district[2]

Urdu	5.2%
Punjabi	82.9%
Sindhi	Negligible %
Pushto	0.2%
Balochi	Negligible %
Seraiki	11.4%
Others	0.3%

Table 1.5 Vehari Languages

[1] 1998 Census; 2017 Census data has not been made public yet.

[2] 1998 Census; 2017 Census data has not been made public yet.

Economic Activity – Economic Infrastructure

Economic Activity

The major industrial occupations in the district are:

• Agriculture with its Allied Livestock Breeding & Fishing (51.7%)
• Construction (22.2%)
• Community, Social & Personal Services (10.6%)
• Wholesale, Retail trade, Restaurants & Hotels (7.7%)
• Mining & Quarrying (0.2%)
• Manufacture (4.4%)
• Transport, Storage & Communication (1.9%)
• Others (1.3%)

Land Use; Vehari district

The following table shows the main land use statistics of the district as per Punjab Development Statistics 2018-19:

Total Area	436,400 HA	Reported Area	438,000 HA
Total Cultivated Area	373,000 HA	Net Sown	363,000 HA
Current Fallow	10,000 HA	Total Uncultivated Area	65,000 HA
Culturable Waste	4,000 HA	Forest Area	– HA

Table 1.6 Vehari Land Use Statistics

Irrigation Network; Vehari district

The district is irrigated by the Pakpattan Canal (Sulemanki Barrage) and Mailsi-Sidhnai Link Canal (off-taking from Sidhnai Barrage). Other canals include the Fodwah canal, and the Damki canal.

The following table shows the modes of irrigation and area irrigated by each mode as per Punjab Development Statistics 2018-19:

Total Area Sown	633,000 HA	Irrigated Area	633,000 HA
Un-Irrigated Area	– HA	Canal Irrigated	5,000 HA
Dug Wells	– HA	Tube Well Irrigated	46,000 HA
Canal Well Irrigated	7,000 HA	Canal Tube Wells	575,000 HA
Others	– HA

Table 1.10 Vehari Irrigation Statistics

Agriculture; Vehari district

The district belongs to the Northern Irrigated Plains Agro-Ecological Zone of Pakistan. It produces one of the best quality cotton in the region.

The crops of the district include cotton, sugarcane, wheat, maize, rice, groundnut, gram, guarseed, jowar, bajra, moong, maash, masoor, rapeseed & mustard, sunflower, barley, sesanum, and linseed.

Fruits of the district include citrus, mango, guava, jaamun, pomegranate, phalsa, banana, and dates.

Vegetable produce of the district includes potatoes, onions, cauliflower, bitter gourd, okra, turnip, peas, tomatoes, garlic, chilies, sugarbeet, and coriander.

Livestock Breeding; Vehari district

Livestock breeding is a very important allied activity of the agriculture sector of Pakistan. Nearly all farmers keep a few heads of cattle and poultry to help increase the family’s income.

The following table shows the livestock population as of the 2010 Census of Livestock (quoted in Punjab Development Statistics 2018-19):

Cattle	399,000 Heads	Buffalos	582,000 Heads	Sheep	43,000 Heads
Goats	673,000 Heads	Camels	87 Heads	Horses	1,190 Heads
Mules	571 Heads	Asses	17,398 Heads

Table 1.7 Vehari Livestock Statistics

Nili Ravi Buffalos are the main indigenous breed of livestock in the district.

 

Figure 1.5 Mailsi Syphon

Poultry Farms; Vehari district

According to Table 17 (Number of Commercial Poultry Farms and Number of Birds by Size of Flock), there are 651 poultry farms in the district. As per Punjab Development Statistics 2018-19 number of privately owned poultry farms in the District is 482 broiler, 56 layer and 01 poultry breeding farms.

Fishing; Vehari district

Fishing is carried out[1] in the pond area of Islam Headworks, River Sutlej, River Sukh Beas, Pakpattan-Islam Link Canal, Khaddar Branch Canal, Damki Canal, Mailsi-Sidhnai Link Canal, and Pakpattan Canal. Most of this fish is consumed locally.

Bee Keeping/ Apiculture; Vehari district

Commercial bee keeping is carried out in various farms in the district.

Minerals and Mining; Vehari district

There is no mining activity in the district.

Potential oil and gas deposits are being explored in the Maharvi Block.

Industry and Manufacturing; Vehari district

1 industrial estate is being established by Punjab Small Industries Corporation (PSIC) in the district. There are a total of 194 different manufacturing industries[2] scattered in various areas of the district as follows:

Type of Industry	Number	Type of Industry	Number
Auto parts	01	Cotton Ginning & Pressing	145
Flour Mills	18	Pesticides & Insecticides	03
Poultry Feed	01	PVC Pipes	03
Rice Mills	08	Textile Composite	01
Textile Made-ups	01	Textile Spinning	02
Textile Weaving	05	Vegetable Ghee/ Oil	06

Table 1.8 Vehari Industries

Trade (Import/Export); Vehari district

The district trades in agricultural produce, especially cotton, which is of one of the best qualities in Pakistan.

Handicrafts; Vehari district

The rural crafts of the region include cotton textiles, basketry, and intricate embroidery, while the crafts produced by urban centers include silver and gold work, as well as elaborate woodwork designs managed by an extremely skilled workforce. Khaddar is a handwoven cotton cloth that Vehari is extremely famous for. Most of the cloth that is handwoven is either beautified by block printing or by elaborate embroidery. Embroidered shirts as well as bed covers are well-known products of Vehari town.

 

Economic Infrastructure; Vehari District

The district[1] is linked with Bahawalpur, Lodhran, Khanewal, Pakpattan, and Sahiwal districts through black topped roads. It is also linked with Lodhran and Pakpattan through the main railway network.

Road Statistics; Vehari district

The following table shows the type of roads and their length in the district as per Punjab Development Statistics 2018-19:

Total Road Length	3363.2 km
National Highways	11.0 km
Motorways	– km
Provincial Highways	3,322.0 km
Sugar Cess Roads	30.2 km

Table 1.9 Vehari Road Statistics

Rail and Airways; Vehari district

The district is linked to Lodhran and Pakpattan through the railway network. In all, there are 06 railway stations[2] in the district; the main stations are at Vehari and Burewala.

There is no commercial or military airport in the district. The nearest airports are the Multan and Bahawalpur International Airports.

Radio and Television; Vehari district

At present, there is an FM Transmitter set up by Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation in Vehari, and one privately-owned FM radio station in the district. TV can be viewed through the cable network.

Telecommunications; Vehari district

There are 27 digital and 11 non-digital[3] telephone exchanges operating in the district ranging in capacity from 50 lines to 42,370 lines. Nearly all of the major cellular companies also operate in the district.

Post Offices/ Courier Services; Vehari district

Pakistan Post has its headquarters in Vehari city. There are 25 post offices[4] in the district, with 06 in Vehari tehsil, 13 in Mailsi tehsil, and 06 in Burewala tehsil. Nearly all the courier services of Pakistan provide their services in the district.

Banking/ Financial Institutions; Vehari district

There are a total of 43 branches[5] of various banks in the district, with 17 branches of different banks in Vehari tehsil, 8 in Burewala tehsil, and 18 in Mailsi tehsil.

According to the List of Reporting Bank Branches 2019, by State Bank of Pakistan the following banks all have their branches in the district:

• Al Baraka Bank Ltd.
• Allied Bank Ltd.
• Askari Bank Ltd.
• Bank Alfalah Ltd.
• Bank Al Habib Ltd.
• Faysal Bank Ltd.
• Habib Bank Ltd.
• JS Bank Ltd.
• KASB Bank Ltd.
• Muslim Commercial Bank Ltd.
• Meezan Bank Ltd.
• National Bank of Pakistan Ltd.
• Soneri Bank Ltd.
• The Bank of Punjab Ltd.
• The Punjab Provincial Cooperative Bank Ltd.
• United Bank Ltd.
• Zarai Taraqiati Bank Ltd.

In all there are 119 branches of various conventional banks and 16 branches of different Islamic banks in the District.

Electricity and Gas; Vehari district

The Multan Electric Supply Company (MEPCO) looks after supply of electricity in the district. There are 11 grid stations[6] ranging in capacity from 66 KV to 220 KV in the district.

Natural gas is available for domestic use in the district.

Educational Institutions; Vehari district

The following table shows the details of educational facilities of the district as per Punjab Development Statistics 2018-19:

Institution	Boys/Girls	Institution	Boys/Girls
Primary Schools	572/467	Middle Schools	108/178
Secondary Schools	80/82	Higher Secondary	14/12
Degree Colleges	10/11	Other Higher Secondary[7]	02/01
Other Degree Colleges[8]	06/08	Technical Training Institutes[9]	04/-
Vocational Institutes[10]	-/03	Commercial Training Institutes[11]	03/-
Universities[12]	02	Govt. Mosque Schools	-/-
Medical Schools	–	Engineering Schools	–

Table 1.11 Vehari Educational Institutes: Government

Figure 1.6 COMSAT Institute of Commerce and Technology, Vehari Campus

Figure 1.7 Government College in Vehari

Healthcare Facilities; Vehari district

The District Health Officer (DHO) is overall in charge of health services provided in the district. This DHO is supported by doctors, paramedics, technicians, and other support staff. The following table shows the number of health care institutions in the district as per Punjab Development Statistics 2018-19:

Institution	No./Beds	Institution	No./Beds
Government Hospitals	04/612	Dispensaries	38/-
Rural Health Centers	14/280	Basic Health Units	74/148
T B Clinics	-/-	Mother Child Health Centers	08/-
Private Hospitals	-/-	Sub Health Centers	-/-
Private Healthcare Providers[13]	402

Table 1.12 Vehari Health Institutes

Policing; Vehari district

The Deputy Inspector General Police (DIGP) looks after Multan Region which comprises of Multan City district, Vehari district, Khanewal district, and Lodhran district. District Police Officer (DPO) Vehari district is overall in charge of policing in Vehari district; this DPO is assisted by a varying number of Superintendents and Deputy Superintendents of Police. The district

[1] Directorate of Industries, Punjab. Pre-Investment Study Vehari District 2012; Latest available.

[2] Directorate of Industries, Punjab. Pre-Investment Study Vehari District 2012; Latest available.

[3] Directorate of Industries, Punjab. Pre-Investment Study Vehari District 2012; Latest available.

[4] Directorate of Industries, Punjab. Pre-Investment Study Vehari District 2012; Latest available.

[5] Directorate of Industries, Punjab. Pre-Investment Study Vehari District 2012; Latest available.

[6] Directorate of Industries, Punjab. Pre-Investment Study Vehari District 2012; Latest available.

[7] Includes Private, Federal and Schools owned by PAF and other organizations

[8] Includes Private, Federal and Schools owned by PAF and other organizations

[9] Directorate of Industries, Punjab. Pre-Investment Study Vehari District 2012; Latest available.

[10] Directorate of Industries, Punjab. Pre-Investment Study Vehari District 2012; Latest available.

[11] Directorate of Industries, Punjab. Pre-Investment Study Vehari District 2012; Latest available.

[12] COMSATS Institute of IT and Campus of University of Education

[13] Three Years Rolling Plan 2010-13 Vehari District; Latest available.

[1] Fishing Manual, Department of Fisheries, Punjab

[2]Directorate of Industries, Punjab. Pre-Investment Study Vehari District 2012; Latest available.

Environment and Biodiversity; Vehari District

Vehari is mostly rural, with a small industrial base. The only air pollutants are suspended dust particles (the district is arid), and exhaust from vehicular traffic.

Flora and Fauna; Vehari district

Flora; Vehari district

The district is forest deficient. The flora mostly consists of shisham (Dalbergio sissoo), kikar (Acacia Arabica), toot or mulberry (Morus alba and Morus maraceae), simbal or sirin (Albizzia lebbeck), sufaida (Eucalyptus), semul (Bombax ceiba), bakain/ dharek (Melia azedarach), jaamun (Syzigium cumim), sukh chain (Pongamia glabra and Pongamia pinnata), ber (Zizyphus mauritiana), khajoor (Phoenix dactylifera), forget-me-not or liyaar (Cordia gharaf), kamaranga or gooseberry (Averrhoa carambola), amaltas or golden shower tree (Cassia fistula), arjun (Terminalia arjuna), phulai (Acacia modesta), desi kikar (Acacia nilotica), white siris (Albizia procera), pipal (Ficus religiosa), sohanjna (Moringa oleifera), har-singhar or night flowering jasmine (Nyctanthes arbor tristis), vann (Salvadora oleoides), frash (Tamarix aphylla), and okan (tamarix dioca).

Fauna; Vehari district

The only wildlife in the district is wild boar, fox, and jackals. The Islam Barrage Lake on River Sutlej attracts a large number of migratory birds, such as little grebe, cormorants, herons, egrets, Eurasian spoonbill, coot, and black and grey partridges.

Protected Areas, Endangered Fauna; Vehari district

Islam Headworks lake/ reservoir is the only protected wildlife area of the district. This lake/ reservoir provides sanctuary to hog deer and game birds.