Dahranwala ڈاہرانوالہ
City
Dahranwala Location in Pakistan
Coordinates: 29°35′48″N 72°50′44″E / 29.5967°N 72.8456°E / 29.5967; 72.8456
Country	Pakistan
Province	Punjab
Division	Bahawalpur
District	Bahawalnagar
Tehsil	Chishtian
Union Councils	9
Area
• Total	48 km2 (19 sq mi)
Elevation	178 m (584 ft)
Population
• Total	0.2 M approx.
Time zone	UTC+5 (UTC)
Calling code	063

Dahranwala (Punjabi, Urdu: ڈاہرانوالہ) is situated in the Satluj Plain, a fertile region known for its rich agricultural production. The city is situated within the Bahawalnagar District of the Punjab province and is part of the Tehsil Chishtian. It shares borders with the cities of Haroonabad to the east, Hasilpur to the west, Chishtian to the north, and Fort Abbas to the south.

Population and Demographics

Dahranwala is a city with an estimated population of around 0.2 M people. The city has a diverse population, consisting of individuals from various ethnic backgrounds such as Punjabi, Urdu, and Pashtun. The predominant religion in the city is Islam, while a small Christian minority also resides there.

Economy

Dahranwala's economy is heavily dependent on agriculture. The city is renowned for its production of crops, particularly wheat and cotton, which are major contributors to its agricultural sector.

Education

Dahranwala has several educational institutions, including government schools and colleges for boys and girls, as well as private schools. Some notable educational institutes in the city are:

These institutions play a crucial role in providing education to the students in the city, helping promote literacy and knowledge in the region.

Healthcare

Dahranwala is a small town that currently faces a shortage of healthcare facilities. The town has a Rural Health Unit hospital and several private hospitals. However, the absence of a large hospital in the area makes it difficult for residents to receive adequate healthcare. In case of emergencies or severe medical conditions, patients have to be referred to Divisional Headquarters Bahawal Victoria Hospital Bahawalpur which is located at a distance of 140 km from the city.

Additionally, the nearest DHQ Hospital Bahawalnagar is located 75 km from the town, posing a significant challenge for residents to access necessary medical care. Unfortunately, the private hospitals in Dahranwala may not have the resources or equipment to provide specialized medical care to critically ill patients, which further exacerbates the issue.

Sports

Dahranwala is currently facing a shortage of sports facilities for its youth population. The only sports ground in the city is located at the government higher secondary school, but it lacks the necessary infrastructure to support a variety of sports. Despite this, cricket, football, and volleyball remain popular sports played in the area. While floodlight cricket and football tournaments are held regularly, the lack of proper sports grounds restricts the ability of youth in Dahranwala to participate in healthy sporting activities. It is evident that there is a high demand for sports facilities in Dahranwala, and it would significantly benefit the physical and mental well-being of the youth if such infrastructure were provided.

Culture

Dahranwala has a rich cultural heritage, with a variety of traditional festivals and events being celebrated throughout the year. The city is also home to a number of historical and cultural events, including the 75 Mod Mela. These events attract people from all over the region, providing an opportunity for visitors to experience the local culture and traditions.

Transportation

Traffic situation in Dahranwala

Dahranwala is an important transportation hub, with road connectivity to other cities of Pakistan. However, the road network within the city is in poor condition, which is a challenge for residents and businesses. The poor condition of the roads hinders the efficient movement of goods and people, causing inconvenience to the local people. The road infrastructure needs to be improved to ensure smooth transportation and connectivity for the city.

Government and politics

In 2017, the Punjab government committee recommended that Dahranwala be given tehsil status and forwarded the summary to the Punjab Chief Minister for final approval.^[5] However, the recommendation has not yet been implemented and there has been no further action on the matter. It is unclear why the recommendation has been postponed and whether it will be pursued in the future. Some people believe that the recommendation was made as a political ploy to win votes rather than a sincere effort to improve the administration of the city.

Administration

Dahranwala town consists of 9 union councils which are mostly villages.

Climate

Dahranwala has a hot and humid climate, with extreme temperatures occurring during May, June, and July, with the mercury rising as high as 49-55°C. In August, the monsoon season begins, bringing heavy rainfall to the area. December and January are the coldest months, with temperatures occasionally dropping to as low as -1°C. The annual average rainfall for the city is around 160mm.

Political persons from Dahranwala

Dahranwala has produced several notable political figures, including:

In General Elections 2018 Ch. Ihsan ul Haq Bajwa elected as Member of National Assembly from constituency NA-168 and Ch. Zahid Akram elected as Punjab Assembly from constituency PP-242.^[28]

References