Dera Ghazi Khan (Urdu: ڈيره غازيخان), abbreviated as D. G. Khan or traditionally as دیرہ غازی خان in nastaʿlīq script, is a city and capital of Dera Ghazi Khan District, in Punjab, Pakistan. It is a mid-country city located at the junction of all four provinces of Pakistan. The city also gives its name to the Dera Ghazi Khan Division, which consists of the Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Muzaffargarh and Layyah districts.
The word "Dera" is derived from the Urdu word Derā which means "encampment" and people live in this Dera or other Dera Like Dera Ismail Khan and Dera Allah Yar also known as Derawal. Here great Punjabi dialects speaks almost 90% of total.[2] Dera Ghazi Khan thus means the settlement or city of Ghazi Khan. Many cities in South Asia have Dera as a pre-fix such as Dera Ismail Khan and Dera Allah Yar. People of Dera Ghazi Khan as well as Dera Ismail Khan are also known as Derawal or sometimes as Dervi while the latter is used as Pen name or Takhallus.
Following are the demographics of the Dera Ghazi Khan district, by spoken language:
Inhabitants of DG khan District speak a great variety of Punjabi dialects, although few of these dialects are called as separate language “Saraiki”, but because of good and loving nature of people there is no distinction or hate among different dialects and have a mix culture of Great (North and South) Punjab.
Derajat eventually came into the possession of the British Raj after the Sikh War in 1849 and was divided into two districts: Dera Ghazi Khan and Dera Ismail Khan.[3] General Court Land was appointed as first Deputy Commissioner of this District. Presently there are three revenue sub-division or tehsils of Dera Ghazi Khan District i.e. Dera Ghazi Khan Tehsil, Taunsa Sharif, and a tribal belt/political area spread along with western side of the district. Following flash floods in 1908 which partially destroyed the original city, in 1910, the present-day city was established around 10 miles (16 km) away from the old town near Drahma.
The new town was planned in a grid plan, consisting of 66 city blocks with wide roads. Each alternative street join the main street of block to form chowks or town squares for social gatherings, and each block has two such chowks (northern and southern). The town suffered decrease in population due to the move- in 1909, there were 23,731 inhabitants, whereas in 1911 there were 18,446. In the year 1913, the Municipal Committee came into existence. At that time, the area of the town was very small. Physical growth continued and now the area was about 4 square miles (10 km2). During British periods, canals were dug in the region. Dera Ghazi Khan is in the province of Punjab.
Post independence
As a result of the Partition of British India in 1947, Hindus from Dera Ghazi Khan region migrated to India and those who settled in Delhi found Derawal Nagar along with the migrants from Dera Ismail Khan.[4] Similarly, Muslims from different parts of India migrated to Pakistan and settled in different cities of Pakistan including Dera Ghazi Khan. This further increased the cultural diversity of Dera Ghazi Khan. The major growth of the town has taken place since 1947. The town has largely spread to the north and south; it could not expand to the west due to the danger of flooding torrents such as affected the town in 1955. However, growth has also taken place in the eastern side. Almost all of the new developments in north and east of the planned town are haphazardly built. The development in the town from 1947 to 1958 remained slow, due to lack of transportation and communication facilities. Only a boat bridge on the river Indus in winter season and steamer service for summer season linked Dera Ghazi Khan with the rest of the Punjab. The Taunsa Barrage on the river Indus was completed in 1953 and the pace of development has since gained momentum. Keeping in view the rapidly increasing population, district D. G. Khan was further divided in two districts in 1982 i.e. Dera Ghazi Khan District and Rajanpur District. During the last 5 years, 72 industrial units were established. The Ghazi Textile mills are an attempt to establish a heavy industrial complex in order to raise the economic base of the town.
Location
Dera Ghazi Khan is a mid-country city located on the junction of all the four provinces of Pakistan i.e. Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan and Khyber Pukhtunkhwa. Due to its location, it has been once in the list of prospective capitals of Pakistan. It has beautiful and unique landscape including Indus River, Green Fields, Pachad Desert and the Sulaiman Mountains.
Ecological features
Climate and geography
Dera Ghazi Khan is located at 30'03" N and 70'38" E. The overall climate of the city is dry with little rainfall. The winter is relatively cold and the climate is hot during the remaining part of the year, but it is very hot in summer. The temperature during summer is usually about 115 °F (46 °C), while during winter season the temperature is as low as 40 °F (4 °C). The prevailing wind direction is North-South. Due to the barren mountains of Koh-Suleman (Sulaiman Mountains) and the sandy soil of the area, windstorms are very common in the summer. During summer, the temperatures are generally amongst the highest in Pakistan. Fort Munro, located on the edge of Punjab Province, has relatively cooler weather. In winter, scattered snowfall is also reported in this area.
Fauna and flora
Along with its many other fauna and flora it has Jerdon's Babbler. It has also one unconfirmed occurrence of Markhor, the national animal of Pakistan. This specie is called Sulaiman Markhor and is found at high altitudes.
Natural resources
There are iron, gypsum, marble, limestone, cement, precious stones, uranium, coal and petroleum and gas reserves in the district. The Koh-e-Sulaiman (Sulaiman Mountains) constitutes a major part of this area, and is full of natural deposits.
Floods
The city is also vulnerable to floods from the Indus River in the East and from the Rod Kohis coming from Sulaiman Mountains in the West. In 1957 flood water entered in the city and almost after 60 years second time in history water entered in the city during 09.09.2012 heavy rains in Koh-e-suliman mountains.
Civic administration and politics
Dera Ghazi Khan has a literacy rate of 60 percent, which is relatively high as compared to the national level. Due to non-availability of adequate higher education facilities locally, most of the students move to colleges and universities located in other cities of Punjab. In the past few years, there has been rapid growth in terms of institutions for higher and technical education. Dera Ghazi Khan has produced well-known scientists, educationalists and scholars in different domains. The city is famous for its doctors and engineers usually working in the big cities of Pakistan due to lack of opportunities in this small city until recently.
Education
The City has a variety of Schools both by the Public Sector and Private Sector, with the Government High School No. 1 being the most prominent and old School of the city for boys. Along with the adjoining primary school No 1, it was originally constructed pre-partition.Government City High School and Government Comprehensive School are also prominent schools for boys. Similarly, There are several schools for girls. All of these schools are affiliated with Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Dera Ghazi Khan. These schools now holds several academic as well as extra-curricular awards. A large proportion of the students from these schools go on to serve in prominent positions all over the world. Three high (matriculation) school for girls and 4 for boys provide enough facilities to educate the young. The city also includes branches of private nationwide school chains, such as the Divisional Public School, Bloomfield Hall School (BHS),Pakistan Atomic Energy School,The City School (TCS),The Educators,AIMS Army Public School Dera Ghazi Khan Cantt.The Danish School.Many newly established of international and national standards are also established like The Education Zone (TEZ).Army Public Schools & Colleges System (or APSACS) is an educational institution with branches located in the four provinces of Pakistan. Army Public School has a branch in Dera Ghazi Khan Cantt. area near Airport. Army Public Schools and Colleges (APSACS) are semi-private institutions, affiliated with the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Islamabad.
Colleges
There are following colleges in Dera Ghazi Khan:
General
- College of Agriculture, DG Khan Sub-Campus University of Agriculture, Faisalabad.
- PAEC Inter Science College, Dera Ghazi Khan
- Govt. Postgraduate College, Dera Ghazi Khan
- Govt. College for Women, Model Town
- Govt. College for Women
- Govt. College, Behind Shalimar Hotel, Dera Ghazi Khan
- Govt. College for Women, Choti Zareen (Dera Ghazi Khan)
- Indus International Institute: It is affiliated with Federal Urdu University of Science and Technology has been established by private sector. For the needs of remote area students, the institute has its own buses to facilitate the transport availability for the students. Indus has a library and Computer Lab as well.
. Govt. Degree College Choti Zareen (Dera Ghazi Khan)
Commerce
- Govt. College of Commerce
- Citi College of Commerce
Education
- The College of Education: It was established in 1989 under the affiliation of Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan. The college became a constituent institution of theUniversity of Education in 2002 and is in its new building adjacent to the Shah Faisal (Bihari) Colony. The campus has a hostel for boys and ahostel for girls. The campus offers teacher education programs like B.Ed Secondary, M.Ed, M.A. Education and B.A. B.Ed. Several private sector colleges also exist in the city.
- Govt. College for Elementary Teacher (M)
- Govt. College for Elementary Teacher (W)
Law
- Indus Law College, Near General Bus Stand Road, Dera Ghazi Khan
- Multan Law College, Dera Ghazi Khan
- Pak Law College
Medical College
- D.G.Khan Medical College: The government decided to establish a medical college in Dera Ghazi Khan in 2008 to improve the facilities in southern part of the province. Ghazi Medical College has been established since 2010 in Dera Ghazi Khan. The foundation stone for Ghazi University and D.G.Khan Medical College was laid on December, 2011. Medical classes have been started from 30 March 2012. Niaz Ahmed Baloch has been appointed as a principal of D.G.Khan Medical College. D.G.Khan Medical and Dental College has been developed as a state of the art medical institution imparting accredited and approved medical education and research. The D.H. Hospital and Research Institute, which will be a research oriented teaching hospital, will fulfill the requirement of training and research of medical students. The curriculum of D.G.Khan Medical and Dental College will be in line with the PM&DC regulations and international health standards in producing community and research oriented doctors who will be competent to deal with the common health problems of the people in a scientifically sound and cost effective manner, using the appropriate technology and holistic approach. Its graduates will be able to assume leadership in a health care team and will communicate effectively as a good clinician in accordance with the code of medical ethics.
Technology and Specialization
- UAF College of Agriculture, Dera Ghazi Khan: It is constituent college of University of Agriculture Faisalabad located near the airport imparts training in the degree of B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture. The college consists of teaching sections of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Horticulture, Agronomy, Soil and Forestry Range Management and Wildlife, Agricultural Entomology, Plant Pathology, Animal Production and Health, Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Social Sciences and Rural Development. It aims to develop as a university.
- Govt. Institute of Technology: It is situated at airport road, is one of the biggest institute in the region offering diploma and B. Tech classes in more than ten technologies in morning and evening shifts. Diploma courses in technologies are Civil, Mechanical,Electrical, Auto-mechanical, Petroleum, Chemical, Petrochemical, I.T. and Computer etc.
- Science institute of Technology college: It is situated at Mohsin Town near by Pull Dot,is second of the biggest institute in region which offering Diploma classes in more than four technologies in morning and evening shifts.DAE courses are Electrical,Electronics,Civil,Mechanical,Chemical and etc.
Universities
The government has established a state of the art Ghazi University in Dera Ghazi Khan since 2011 near airport.For this purpose 1000 acre land has been acquired for next 50 yeares requirement of the university.The foundation stone for Ghazi University and Ghazi Medical College was laid on December, 2011.[11] The Govt. Postgraduate College,FAU Agriculture College and Ghazi Medical College will work under this university. The Virtual University of Pakistan has established its campus here since 2004 which is providing both campus based and distance learning education primarily based on IT tools and technology. Another prominent educational organization is the Allama Iqbal Open University campus. The government has approved Akhuwat University of Engineering and Technology in Dera Ghazi Khan since 2012.[12] The university will be established on 351 kanals and will offer courses in Engineering, Veterinary Science, Computer Science, Information Science, Communication Science and Management Science. Sardar Kaurey Khan donated 84000 kanal area for Education purpose in Jatoi. Saraiki medium Saraiki University for Health, Engineering, Sciences & Arts can be established by this huge amount of revenue.
Historical and interesting places
Tomb of Hazarat Sakhi Sarwar
Hazrat Syed Ahmad, also known as Sultan Sakhi Sarwar, Lakh Data, Sakhi Sultan and Lalan Wali Sarkar, was the son of Hazrat Zain ul Abedin, who migrated from Baghdad and settled in Shahkot, near Multan in 13th century. He studied from Syed Muhammad Ishaq, known as Miran Badshah who came from Iran and settled in Lahore during the time of the Tughlaq dynasty and is buried in the courtyard of Wazir Khan Mosque in Lahore. Syed Ahmed later went to Dhaunkal, Wazirabad for further education and is also reported to visit Baghdad. Sakhi Sarwar preached Islam in Sodhra, Wazirabad. From Dhounkal, Sakhi Sarwar came to Dera Ghazi Khan and settled in Nagaha, now named after him, Sakhi Sarwar. He was died at the age of 53. His shrine was built in Sulaiman Mountains, 35 kilometres (22 mi) from Dera Ghazi Khan city. It is located in a small village named Muqam. Later, Mughal king Zahir-ud-din Muhammad Babur amended his tomb. It is a unique building of Mughal architecture. Thousands of people from all over the Subcontinent come here on the Annual Celebrations of Birth of Sakhi Sarwar in March every year.
Tomb of Ghazi Khan
The tomb of Nawab Ghazi Khan Mirrani, locally called as handeera in Saraiki, was built in the beginning of 15th century. This seems like the tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam in Multan. It is located in the Mulla Quaid Shah Graveyard. Its main gate is from eastern side and two small doors are in side of north and south. In it there are 11 graves, which are of the family of Nawab Ghazi Khan Mirrani. Every side of the tomb is 13 feet (4.0 m) and 3 inches (76 mm) from inside and there are conical minarets from the outside. Its circular distance from the earth is 17 feet (5.2 m) and half. The half diameter of the conical minarets remains 34 inches (860 mm) on the highest of 19 feet (5.8 m). There are 28 ladders from northern side in the internal side. The graveyard was built up around the tomb of Nawab Ghazi Khan Mirrani. This is the oldest building in the city. The tomb condition is continuously deteriorating and many social activists are raising voice to preserve this heritage
Tomb of Ali Ahmed Qadri
(Darbar Qadiriyya) Hazrat Ali Ahmed Qadri (1898–1962) was born in 1898 in Kaithal, India.[13] His father died three years after birth. He was considered to be an in-born wali. He belonged to the Qadiriyya Sufi order from the lineage of 17th-century saint Shah Kamal Qadri Kaithaly. After the partition of India, he migrated to Pakistan in 1949. Initially, he settled in Kot Qaboola (Arifwala Tehsil, Pakpattan District) and Multan and then finally moved to Dera Ghazi Khan. He was died in 1962 and his tomb is in Block 35.
Indus River
The Indus River is a major river in Asia which flows through Pakistan. It also has courses through western Tibet (in the People's Republic of China) and Northern India. Originating in the Tibetan plateau in the vicinity of Lake Mansarovar, the river runs a course through the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, towards Gilgit and Baltistan and then flows in a southerly direction along the entire length of Pakistan to merge into the Arabian Sea near the port city of Karachi in Sindh. The total length of the river is 3,180 km (1,980 mi). It is Pakistan's longest river. The Indus is the most important supplier of water resources to the Punjab and Sindh plains - it forms the backbone of agriculture and food production in Pakistan. The river is especially critical as rainfall is meagre in the lower Indus valley. Irrigation canals were first built by the people of the Indus valley civilization, and later by the engineers of the Kushan Empire and the Mughal Empire. Modern irrigation was introduced by the British East India Company in 1850 - the construction of modern canals accompanied with the restoration of old canals. The British supervised the construction of one of the most complex irrigation networks in the world. The Guddu Barrage is 1,350 m (4,430 ft) long - irrigating Sukkur, Jacobabad, Larkana and Kalat. The Sukkur Barrage serves over 20,000 km2 (7,700 sq mi). After Pakistan came into existence, a water control treaty signed between India and Pakistan in 1960 guaranteed that Pakistan would receive water from the Indus River and its two tributaries the Jhelum River & the Chenab River independently of upstream control by India.[12] The Indus Basin Project consisted primarily of the construction of two main dams, the Mangla Dam built on the Jhelum River and the Tarbela Dam constructed on the Indus River, together with their subsidiary dams.[13] The Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority undertook the construction of the Chashma-Jhelum link canal - linking the waters of the Indus and Jhelum rivers - extending water supplies to the regions of Bahawalpur and Multan. Pakistan constructed the Tarbela Dam near Rawalpindi - standing 2,743 metres (9,000 ft) long and 143 metres (470 ft) high, with an 80-kilometre (50 mi) long reservoir. The Kotri Barrage near Hyderabad is 915 metres (3,000 ft) long and provides additional supplies for Karachi. It support the Chashma barrage near Dera Ismail Khan use for irrigation and flood control. for The Taunsa Barrage near Dera Ghazi Khan produces 100,000 kilowatts of electricity. The extensive linking of tributaries with the Indus has helped spread water resources to the valley of Peshawar, in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The extensive irrigation and dam projects provide the basis for Pakistan's large production of crops such as cotton, sugarcane and wheat. The dams also generate electricity for heavy industries and urban centres.
Taunsa Barrage
Taunsa Barrage is also the location of one of the notable structures on the Indus River called Taunsa Barrage, located several kilometres north of dera ghazi khan city.It is a best visiting place and lot of families make trip to this tourist spot. It was designated a Ramsar site on March 22, 1996. The Taunsa Barrage was completed in 1958, and it has been identified as the barrage with the highest priority for rehabilitation. It requires urgent measures to avoid severe economic and social impacts on the lives of millions of poor farmers through interruption of irrigation on two million acres (8,000 km²) and drinking water in the rural areas of southern Punjab, benefiting several million farmers. In 2003, the World Bank approved a $123 million loan to Pakistan to rehabilitate the Taunsa Barrage on the River Indus whose structure had been damaged owing to soil erosions and old-age. The project was designed to ensure irrigation of the cultivated lands in the area of the Muzaffargarh[2] and Dera Ghazi Khan Tehsil[3] canals, and through the Taunsa-Panjnad Link Canal that supplements the water supply to Panjnad headworks canals.
Ghazi Ghat
Ghazi Ghat is also the location of one of the notable structures on the Indus River called Ghazi Ghat, located 10 kilometres east of dera ghazi khan city.It is a best visiting place and lot of families make trip to this tourist spot. It welcomes the people coming from Multan.There are lot of fresh river fish stalls where score of people come to eat this delicious dish.There is a nice view of Indus River.Boat riding is available for rent.There is a petrolstation and a very nice and famous hotel
Fort Munro
Fort Munro, locally in Balochi language it is called "Nimroo". It is a hill station in Dera Ghazi Khan which lies on the Quetta Road at 80 km west ward from Dera Ghazi Khan city in the Sulaiman Mountains Range. According to renowned research Scholar Dr. Ghulam Qasim Mujahid Baloch: "the hill station was named during the British forward policy era in 1880 on the name of Colonel Munro the commissioner Dera jaat and Layyah Division. The old Balochi name of this place was "loh larhi (the iron rock) and "Anari Molh" (the peak of pomegranates). The famous Balochi poet of Rind Era Mir Mando visited this top and narrated the classical Balochi "Fairy Poem" which is included in the "popular poetry of the Baloches" written by famous orientalist Mr. Longworth Dames the Deputy commissioner of Dere Ghazi Khan. A lake at Fort Munro on the name of Mr. Longworth Dames still exists as: "Dames Lake"(Ref: "Biaz e Dera" University College of Education (Government Elementary College) Dera Ghazi Khan, 2005, PP.176–188). The Fort Munro is away from dusty and hot climate of Multan and D.G.Khan. It is blessed with clean and cool weather. Its altitude is 18e of 00 meters (6,470 feet) above sea level and attracts many people for short stays during the summer. Many school trips and families use to go for recreation. Families from south Punjab cities, such as Multan, Muzaffar Garh, Rajanpur, Jampur, Layyah, Taunsa, Kot addu, Lodhran, Bahawalpur and Kot Mithan make trips to this beautiful hill station during summer. In summer when the temperature reaches 48 °C (118 °F) in south Punjab, the temperature remains at 20 °C (68 °F).
Pir Zinda near cement factory
It is located near D. G. Khan Cement Factory some 40 km away from city. It is believed that a Sufi saint lived and preached here in Suri nala (Rod Koh). Its nearest village is Sahar. There is small mazar of Pir Zinda Sahib. Many people come here during pir zinda mela. Beside this mazar is its speciality, which is hot water chashma. Warm and salty water constantly comes from the ground, due to pressure. There are lot of mineral and Sulfur rich warm water ponds and springs (chashmas). People normally take bath from these ponds, in the belief that they cure disease. These warm waters have minimum temperature of 35 °C (95 °F) and are rich in salts and minerals, especially sulfur that is anti itching and effective in eliminating skin diseases. These are called thermal and medical baths. Many people come here for their refreshment and the hope of recovery from different diseases and sickness. The road conditions around this place are very poor.
Tribal area and Koh-Suliman Mountains
The Sulaiman Mountains, or the Kesai Mountains, are a major geological feature of southeastern Afghanistan (Zabul, most of Loya Paktia and northeastern Kandahar Province) and Pakistan (South Waziristan and most of northern Balochistan and Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur districts of Punjab). The Sulaiman Mountains form the eastern edge of the Iranian plateau where the Indus River separates it from the Indian Subcontinent. Bordering the Sulaiman Range to the north are the arid highlands of the Hindu Kush, where more than 50 percent of the lands lie above 2,000 meters.
Famous mosques
- Jamia Masjid is the biggest Masjid of the city. It was constructed in year 1916. There is a large pool in the Masjid which is used for making ablution. It has a big hall whose length is 100 feet (30 m) and width is 45 feet (14 m), in which 3,000 people can say their prayer at one time. Its courtyard is also wide, and can fit 10,000 men in. The minarets of the Masjid are 85 feet (26 m) high, in which there are 100 ladders.
- Shah Bagh Mosque was the first Mosque in which people performed their first Jumma Namaz after the destruction of the old Dera Ghazi Khan when the people of Dera Ghazi Khan shifted in the new city. It is named after the Imam of the time. It is in Block No. 7.
- Maulvi Fazl-e-Haq Masjid is also one of the oldest and big mosques in the city.
- Eidgah near the Nizamabad is one of the oldest one while another Eidgah is near the Company Park.
Parks of the city
- Nawaz Sharif Park is at Quetta road near Virtaul University Campus with a beautiful scenery and covering vast area. Its exact location is between the grid station and the cricket stadium. Its main gate is on Dera-Gadai road in front of the Model Town.
- D.C. Garden has an area of 81 canals and 3 marlas. Divisional Public School and Wild Life Park was also the part of D.C. Garden. Although it is an administrative and residential area, it has natural greenery. Dera Ghazi Khan administration has made the Dera Ghazi Khan officers' club inside the D.C. Garden, where the officers play games such as squash, badminton, and tennis. Government employees, advocates, politicians, journalists and local people are also members of this club.
- Company Bagh is called the second garden of the city. The East Indian Company made the company bagh in every district. This is known as company bagh. Its area is 162 canals and 12 Marlas. In 1948 a friends' club was made in this area. Company Bagh is used to play football, hockey, volleyball, badminton and table tennis, amongst other games
- Ghazi Park is a decent sized theme park, and is the largest theme park in the city. It is located at the North-West outskirts of Dera Ghazi Khan. Exhibitions are arranged through part of the year since 1999, which attract many more visitors than on other days when there are usually only a handful. The exhibitions are held between February and March.
- The Bank of Indus River is a peaceful picnic point for the people of Dera Ghazi Khan. From here the view of the river is beautiful. It is also known as the name of Ghazi Ghaat. Ghazi Ghaat welcomes the people coming to Dera Ghazi Khan from the eastern side. There is a boat renting service available at the river.
- Wild Life Park Dera Ghazi Khan has recently been re-developeding. It is a good place for recreation. It has many types of animals and birds. It is commonly called Dera Ghazi Khan Zoo. The Wild Life Park is government funded and free to visit.
- D.G.Khan and Kachi Canal is becoming a peaceful picnic point for the people of Dera Ghazi Khan. From here the view of both canals is beautiful. It is very near to city at and can access via airport road.It welcomes the people coming from Fort Munro, Sakhi Sarwer and Balochistan to Dera Ghazi Khan.
Churchyard
It is situated in the northern side of the Canal colony, residential colony in front of the Central Jail Dera Ghazi Khan. It has the walls on its four sides. This churchyard could not spread because of Christian minority in the local area. This was constructed in 1910.
Economy
Agriculture
Dera Ghazi Khan is located in rich agricultural land with cotton, wheat, sugarcane, rice, tobacco being the major crops grown. Dera Ghazi Khan is also well known for its dates. The district is now connected by railroad with other parts of the country including Multan, Lahore, Karachi and Quetta. The railway was built by the British before the partition of India.
Large industries
The prominent employers in Dera Ghazi Khan are the D. G. Khan Cement Company Limited, Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, the Al-Ghazi Tractors and Rahim Bux textile Mills. It is considered that these companies, along with various other flour mills, companies in the cotton, chemical and textile industries, as well as rice, sugar, and ghee mills, form the backbone of the Pakistan's economy. However, private sector investment is increasing rapidly and a large number of private banks and national corporations are offering their services in the city. The city also has an oil refinery owned by OGDC located in the Sulaiman mountain, near Taunsa. In addition to this there are also many oil rigs owned by the Dewan Group located in the tribal areas.
Foreign Remittances
Due to lack of industries and job facilities in the city, large numbers of people work in other countries mostly is GCC (Arab countries).and they share large amount in foreign remittances.There is a strong demand of night landing facility and direct flights from Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Qatar to and from D.G.Khan International Airport.
Real estate
The property and real estate businesses have very much progressed in the past few years. New housing schemes near Sakhi Sarwar road, Jampur
road and Multan road have been established with all modern facilities.
Hotels and restaurants
There are many hotels in the city like the Shalimar Hotel, Pakeza Hotel, Ajwa Hotel, Indus Hotel, D.G. Hotel, Mola Bux Hotel, Mugel_e_Azam Hotel, Alsarwar Hotel, Madina Hotel etc. Moula Bux Hotel is the oldest hotel in the city and it was established in 1935 and now they made Pakeeza Hotel and Kashif Bakers etc.
Markets
The following shopping Markets/Centres are situated in the city:
- Model Bazaar is a new and modern bazaar at jail road in the city.
- Pathar Bazaar is considered as the oldest bazaar in the city.
- The Grain market of Dera Ghazi Khan is renowned in the south Punjab. Mostly, farmers and traders of the region are affiliated with the grain market. Cotton, rice and wheat are the major crops of the area.
- Rani bazar is a business center situated in city Dera Ghazi Khan. All kinds of jewellery and beautiful dresses for ladies are available in this market. Mostly ladies purchase their items from this market.
- The cloth market is a business centre of the city and situated in Saddar Bazar near Committee Gollai.
- The garments market is a business centre of the city located in Block-10 behind Govt. City High School and situated in Rani Bazar near Committee Gollai.
- The electronic market falls within the middle of the city, near the Gollai Committee.
- The medicine market is situated near the Civil Hospital Dera Ghazi Khan. All kinds of medicine are available from the market. Traders supply a variety of medicines for consumption by the populace.
- The vegetable and fruit market is situated within the area near the Faridi bazar. A huge quantity of apple, apricots (khubani), plums(aalubukhara) and other vegetables are brought in this market from Baluchistan and from there are supplied to the other districts the of Punjab province.
- The mobile market is a big market in the heart of Dera Ghazi Khan. Every type of mobile phone and mobile-related shops are in this area.
- The Mowaish Mandi is held in Shah Saddar-Din.
- The spices industry Diamondstar Salt & spices is the famous name in spice industry in Dera Ghazi Khan.
Transportation
Dera Ghazi Khan International Airport
Dera Ghazi Khan International Airport is over 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from the city of Dera Ghazi Khan.[citation needed] It is near D.G. Khan Cantt. It has a single, double-sided runway. It was built in 1996.
The airport provides flights to Multan, Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad. Because of high demand, it has been operating flights to and from Dubai since 2008, making it an international airport. The traffic to and from most airports is usually high, although flights to Karachi, especially, get a large number of passengers. From November 2012 Shaheen Air started its operation from this airport. In 2013 Air Indus also began its flights from this airport. FlyDubai agreed to start flights from the D.G. Khan International Airport if night landing facility is provided. Although it is international airport, a night landing facility is still not provided.
Road
The city is well connected with whole country by road. It is the only city in country which is at the cross of two National Highways: N70 Quetta to Lahore and N55 (Indus Highway) Karachi to Peshawar. Indus Highway, which connects the country from Karachi to Peshawar, and National Highway from Gowader to Lahore passed through Dera Ghazi Khan.
The M-5 Motorway is a planned four-lane motorway that will link Multan with Dera Ghazi Khan. It will be constructed after the completion of the M-4 Motorway. The M-6 is a planned four-lane motorway that will link Dera Ghazi Khan with Ratodero. It will be constructed after the completion of the M-5 Motorway Daewoo Express Bus Service, Faisal Movers and other bus services operate from the city to the entire country
Rail
Dera Ghazi Khan is connected with the country through Chiltan Express and Khushal Express trains.
Demography
Population
The population according to the 1901 census of India (then a British colony) was 471,149 - the great majority being Baloch Muslims. The frontier tribes on the Dera Ghazi Khan border include the Ahmedani, Mazari, Lashari, Changwani, Jarwar, Qaisrani, Bozdar, Khosa, Lund, Leghari, Khetran, Nutkani(Notkani) Gurchani, Jaskani, Marri, Mastoi,Jatoi, Mirani, Bugti, Malghani is part of Nutkani or Notkani and Bamozai Known as Akhund/Akhwand tribes, whose ancestors came in from Afghanistan around 200 years ago and settled in the old Dera Ghazi Khan.
Historical populations of Dera Ghazi Khan city
Health
In D.G. Khan, there is a civil hospital called the Divisional Headquarters Hospital (DHQ), along with many private hospitals and labs. The number of beds is being doubled from 250 to 500 in DHQ. Along with the DHQ there are several private hospitals working for the welfare of the people of Dera Ghazi Khan. The overall conditions of public health are miserable in the city. more over the Dera Ghazi Khan is a very beautiful city.Lot of people from Balochistan coming to D.G.Khan for treatment.
Religion
Islam came into this region during eighth century when Muhammad bin Qasim (695–715), the Ummayad general entered Sindh and Punjab. More than 99% people are Muslims.
Culture
Charpai and Hamacha
In the city there is Charpai, locally known as khatt and Hamacha culture. Charpai and Hamacha means a big wooden cart, which are kepts at chowks and baithaks. You can find these Hamachas in every chowks, baithaks and wisakh. Normally peoples sit on charpai and hamacha in the evening and on holidays. There they discuss their daily personal, social and political issues in friendly environment.
Fairs and festivals
- Sangh Mela, is a Vaisakhi fair during March and April, is celebrated in Sakhi Sarwar by people coming from Jhang and Faisalabad since centuries. This festival is celebrated by Hindus and Muslims especially at the time of wheat harvesting and at some places it is called as Basant. Throughout history, a large number of followers coming from different religions became the followers of Sakhi Sarwar. Max Arthur Macauliffe, a colonial office appointed in Punjab, observed in 1875 that not only Muslims but Hindus also visited the shrines during the [urs]. In the 1911 census of India, 79,085 Sikhs reported to be the follower of Sakhi Sarwar.
- Pir Adil Mela is also very famous which is celebrated at the shrine of Hazrat Pir Adil in a village named after him. Sometimes, the Jalsa or National Horse and Cattle Show is merged with this mela.
- Jalsa, similar to National Horse and Cattle Show, is also celebrated at airport road in February every year for ten days.
- Jhand is the ceremony of first haircut of the child as part of a Rite of passage ceremonies which is very common in the rural areas of Dera Ghazi Khan as well. This ceremony usually takes place in the desi month of Chaitr at some shrine like Pir Adil or Fateh Shah.
Literature and poetry
Dera Ghazi Khan is also famous for its poets in Balochi, Saraiki and Urdu languages. The tradition of Mushaira is still very common in the city and villages. Famous Urdu poets Rashid Qaisrani, Nazir Qaisrani, Mohsin Naqvi and Farhat Shahzad were born in Dera Ghazi Khan.
A lot of Balochi and Saraiki language poetry got published in books, local magazines and newspapers.
The famous Balochi poets of pre-British and British era 1848-1947 are Sobha Jarwar, Ghahi Kaloi, Ghulam Muhammad Balachani, Ali Muhammad Khantik (to whom Iqbal considered superior to him in poetry during first decade of 20th century), Mir Gull Qaisrani and Bashkia Qaisrani.
After partition of the sub-continent the Baloch poets who got public popularity are Manik Alwani, Abdul Rahman Alwani, Gullan Alwani, Shikari Alwani, Sikandar Alwani, Muhammad Alwani, Qadeer Alwani, Shah Nawaz Rostmani, Imam Bakhsh Rostamani, Ahmad Yar Rostmani, Khuda Bakhsh Rostmani, Bilal Rostmani, Bahadur Hans, Mehra Hans, Bahoo Changwani, Karim Bakhsh Qaisrani, Hafiz Khan Muhammad Qaisrani, Khairoo Dhamman Qaisrani (who is the poet laureate of Qaisrani Tribe), Jaloo Qaisrani, Abdullah Durani Qaisrani, Muhammad Dabbi Qaisrani, Mitha Qaisrani, Chutta Qaisrani, Masu Qaisrani, Allah Yar Qaisrani, Eso Qaisrani, Sadro Qaisrani, Barkhurdar Qaisrani, Mitha Nusrat e Qaisrani, Mubarak Qaisrani, Amir Muhammad Qaisrani, Pheeri Qaisrani, Allah Dad Qaisrani, Shah Gull Qaisrani, Muwarhan Buzdar, Deenoon Buzdar, Noor Bakhshk Buzdar, Said Khan Buzdar, Mahmood Momin Buzdar, Ishaq Sajid Buzdar, Nabi Bakhsh Buzdar, Naik Muhammad Buzdar, Rahmtan Leghari, Karam Leghari, Haider Leghari, Murid Bhaggi, Sufi Saddique Buzdar, Muhammad Khan Tahir Baliani Buzdar, Syed Noor Muhammad Shah Bukhari, Syed Azim Shah, Esa Buzdar, Sikandar Khosagh, Palya Khosagh, Haioro Khosagh, Ahmad Bakhsh Khosagh, Shah Mir Durrahaqani, Bazil Hotmani, Sona Kaloi, Khuda Bakhsh Dozhaqani, Ghulam Rasul Azanghani.
The modern poets and prose writers in Balochi are Dr. Ghulam Qasim Mujahid Baloch (who published two books and wrote the thesis of M.Phil and PhD related to Balochi literatue), Ghulam Qadir Buzdar (who published more than 20 books), Allah Bakhsh Buzdar (who published two books), Abdul Salam Chakri, Shams Ganokh Buzdar, Wali Ahmad Mazari (one book), Saeed Mazari (who published one book), Khuda Bakhsh Buzdar (one book), Prof. Wahid Buzdar (eight books) and Dr. Munazza Batool Baloch (one book). The deputy commissioner of Dera Ghazi Khan, Mansel Longworth Dames, published his world reputed book The Popular Poetry of Baloches from Folklore Society London in 1907.
Shakir Shuja-abadi is called Allama Iqbal of Saraiki. These are some of Saraiki and Urdu writers of Dera Ghazi Khan:
- Dilber Hussain Maula e Khosagh– Saraiki and Urdu poet and columnist. Famous publications: "Wasebi Sukhanwar Part 1, 2, 3." It is a discussion on poets and writers of Dera Ghazi Khan. Further, "Guftar-e-Dilber", "Lamha Lamha Ibrat" Yadgar-e-Akram" and Naksh-e-Kamal" Dua-e-Kumail in Saraiki translation and under publications are "lafz lafz khushbo", "Tariekh e Khosa", "Dastan-e-Dilber", "Mazamin Dilber", "Harfoun ki Hakoomat", "Danshiwar-e-Koh-e-Suleman", "Mazahmati Saraiki Adab", "Hussaini Saraiki Shaieri", "Rehnauma-e-Talaba", "Wasibi-Peer", "Khushbo-e-Harf" (poetry) and a research thesis on "Dilber Maulai ki Wasibi Sukhawar ka Ilmi Jaiza" written by Mehboob Ahmed, Roll No. 9661UE/84 under University of Education Lahore, Govt. College for Elementary Teachers Trainings (Male) Dera Ghazi Khan. Dilber is energetic, enthusiastic and social worker. He is active participant in local literature organizations like Bazm-e-Akram, Rooh-e-Adab- Kot Chutta” Qandel-e-Adab – Notak Mehmeed..
- Noor Muhammad Sael (Merhoom): Saraiki poet
- Noor Muhammad faizi (Merhoom): Saraiki poet, non-published, very famous.
- Ahmed Khan Tariq: Well-known Saraiki poet. His books are gharon dar tareen, makon see lagday
- Aziz Shahid: These collections of his poetry are famous. Phul Sarmi de and Man Derya te *Muhammad Shafi Shorat" (late), a leading saraiki poet, first president of Dera Saraiki Sangat.
- Ramzan Talib (Merhoom): Saraiki poet
- Qazi Razi: His books Multani Qaeda (primer) and Gul-i-Anar are famous.
- Ghulam Hussain Zaer: Saraiki poet No published collection
- Kaif Ansari (Merhoom): Urdu poet. Two collections of his poetry have been published. Kis ne dekha mera chira. Zanjeeroon ka Noha
- Nadeem Jafri (Merhoom): Urdu poet. Khana-i-Zanjeer is his collection of poetry
- Shafqt Kazmi (Merhoom): Urdu poet. Hasrat kada and Daghi-hasrat are his books. He was pupil of Hasrat Mohani and teacher of Muhsin Naqvi
- Sarwar Karbali (Merhoom): Saraiki poet. His two Saraiki collections were published after his death. Naghme nok Sanan de and Sijh da Seena
- Atif Hassan: freelance writer, regularly write for Pakistan and Gulf Economist, an educationist, PhD fellow and sole author of bookBusiness Computing
- Amer Faheem: Jagdi Akh da Khab is his first collection of Saraiki fictions
- Muhammad Ali Khan (a.k.a. Ali Khan) (born in Dera Ghazi Khan) is a poet (first Urdu poet whose complete book Kya Kami Thi is on-line since 1998) and free-lance journalist based in USA.
- Zaka Ullah Anjum Malghani: Saraiki and Urdu poet and columnist. His first book of poetry is Khawahishon ka Sahra
- Iqbal Sokri: Saraiki poet and writer of many Saraiki books
- Mushtaq akhter khosa (merhoom): Urdu poet no published collection.
- Muhammad Sikander Hayder: feature writer and columnist with the logo "Bolty Lafz". He is a columnist at the Urdu newspaper Daily Nawa-i-Waqt Multan.
¤ Allah Ditta Aashir Leghari (Ramdani): an MA in Economics he is writing Sarieki and Urdu poetry.
Cuisine
- Sohanjhnrran (Saraiki: سوہانجڑاں) or the flowers of Moringa oleifera is very peculiar food of Saraiki culture including Dera Ghazi Khan.
- Sohan Halwa is traditional sweet made by boiling a mixture of water, sugar, milk and wheatflour (coarse pieces)/cornflour until it becomes solid. Umar ka sohan halwa, Muhhamadi ka sohan halwa, Ustad Rahim Bux halwai and Chhati Bazar (Choti Zareen) Ka Sohan Halwa are very famous and even send abroad.
- Sohbat is very peculiar food of Saraiki culture including Dera Ghazi Khan and Taunsa.
- Sijji is very peculiar food of Saraiki culture including Dera Ghazi Khan and Fort Munro.
Sports
Dera Ghazi Khan has a cricket stadium which is still under construction. It also has a hockey stadium but without AstroTurf. Other popular games are shooting volleyball, kabaddi and desi wrestling. Imran Abbas is a right-handed batsman and a right-arm medium fast bowler who has played for the Pakistani cricket team. Najeeb Amar, famous Hong Kong cricketer, was born in Dera Ghazi Khan in 1971.
Following traditional games are also very famous:
- Geeti Danna (گیٹی ڈنا) or Gilli-danda is one of the famous traditional sports especially in boys in rural areas.
- Doda Saraiki Game
- Baandar Killa
- Pittu Garam
- Stapu
- Kabaddi
- Ludo
- Akh Macholi
- Yassu Panju
- Dubbiyan (cigarettes ki Dubbi)
- Chirri Uddi, Kawa Udda
- Pugan Pugai
- Luk Chhap or Chuppan Chupai
- Bantay, also called as Chidday or Goliyan
Arts and entertainment
The city has produced various famous artists like Tauqeer Nasir, which are known nationally and internationally. The National Arts Council, D. G. Khan is also established to promote the arts and theatre in the city.
Press and media
Daily Jang is also published from Dera Ghazi Khan along with many local newspapers in Urdu, Saraiki and Balochi languages.Daily Kasak is also published in D.G.Khan.
