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{{short description|Okara District in Punjab, Pakistan}}
{{short description|Okara(RENALA KHURD) District in Punjab, Pakistan}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Okara District
| official_name      = Okara District
| name              =  
| name              =  
| native_name        = {{Nastaliq|ضِلع اوكاڑا}}
| native_name        = {{Nastaliq|ضلع اوكاڑہ}}
| native_name_lang  =  
| native_name_lang  =  
| settlement_type    = [[List of districts in Punjab, Pakistan|District]] of [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]]
| settlement_type    = [[List of districts in Punjab, Pakistan|District]] of [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]]
| image_skyline      = {{Photomontage
| image_skyline      = {{Photomontage
|size = 250
|size = 250
|photo1a = Shaikhu Sharif, Okara.jpg
|photo1a = Mir Chakar Rind's Tomb.JPG
|photo2a = Interior Ghausia Masjid, Katchery Bazar, Okara - panoramio.jpg
|photo2a = Interior Ghausia Masjid, Katchery Bazar, Okara - panoramio.jpg
|photo3a = Shaikhu Sharif, Okara.jpg
}}
}}
| imagesize          =  
| imagesize          =  
| image_alt          =  
| image_alt          =  
| image_caption      = Top: Shaikhu Sharif, Okara<br>Bottom: Ghausia Masjid, [[Okara, Pakistan|Okara]]
| image_caption      = Top: [[Satghara]] <br>Center: Ghausia Masjid, [[Okara, Pakistan|Okara]]<br>Bottom: Shaikhu Sharif, Okara
| image_map          = Pakistan - Punjab - Okara.svg
| image_map          = Pakistan - Punjab - Okara.svg
| mapsize            =  
| mapsize            =  
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| government_type    = District Administration
| government_type    = District Administration
| leader_title      = [[Deputy Commissioner (Pakistan)|Deputy Commissioner]]
| leader_title      = [[Deputy Commissioner (Pakistan)|Deputy Commissioner]]
| leader_name        = Doctor Zeeshan Hanif<ref>{{cite news|url=https://pakobserver.net/punjab-cm-appoints-juniors-as-dcs-in-22-districts/|title=Punjab CM appoints juniors as DCs in 22 districts|date=February 2023|access-date=25 July 2023|work=Pakistan Observer (newspaper)}}</ref>
| leader_name        = Zeeshan Hanif<ref>{{cite news|url=https://pakobserver.net/punjab-cm-appoints-juniors-as-dcs-in-22-districts/|title=Punjab CM appoints juniors as DCs in 22 districts|date=February 2023|access-date=25 July 2023|work=Pakistan Observer (newspaper)}}</ref>
| leader_title1      = District Police Officer
| leader_title1      = District Police Officer
| leader_name1      = N/A
| leader_name1      = Mansoor Aman
| leader_title2      = District Health Officer
| leader_title2      = District Health Officer
| leader_name2      = N/A
| leader_name2      = N/A
Line 41: Line 42:
| area_footnotes    =  
| area_footnotes    =  
| area_total_km2    = 4377
| area_total_km2    = 4377
| population_as_of  = 2017
| population_as_of  = 2023
| population_total  = 3,040,826
| population_total  = 3515490
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_footnotes = <ref name="2017census" />
| population_urban  = 1187504
| population_rural  = 2,327,986
| population_footnotes = <ref name="2023table1"/>
| demographics2_title1 = Literacy rate
| demographics2_info1 = {{bulleted list |'''Total:'''<br />(60.25%) |'''Male:'''<br />(66.52%) |'''Female:'''<br />(53.71%) }}
| timezone1          = [[Time in Pakistan|PST]]
| timezone1          = [[Time in Pakistan|PST]]
| utc_offset1        = +5
| utc_offset1        = +5
| established_title  = Established
| established_title  = Established
| established_date  =  
| established_date  =  
| area_code          = 044
| blank_name_sec1    = [[List of tehsils of Punjab, Pakistan|Tehsils]]
| blank_name_sec1    = [[List of tehsils of Punjab, Pakistan|Tehsils]]
| blank_info_sec1    = [[Depalpur Tehsil|Depalpur]]<br>[[Okara Tehsil|Okara]]<br>[[Renala Khurd Tehsil|Renala Khurd]]
| blank_info_sec1    = [[Depalpur Tehsil|Depalpur]]<br>[[Okara Tehsil|Okara]]<br>[[Renala Khurd Tehsil|Renala Khurd]]
Line 54: Line 60:
| blank_info_sec2    = 10
| blank_info_sec2    = 10
| demographics1_title1 = Main language(s)
| demographics1_title1 = Main language(s)
| demographics_type2 = Literacy
| demographics2_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/table_12_punjab_districts.pdf |title= Literacy rate, enrolments, and out-of-school population by sex and rural/urban, CENSUS-2023}}</ref>
| demographics1_info1 = [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]], [[Urdu]]
| demographics1_info1 = [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]], [[Urdu]]
| website            = {{URL|okara.punjab.gov.pk}}
| website            = {{URL|okara.punjab.gov.pk}}
}}
}}


'''Okara District''' ([[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] and {{lang-ur|{{Nastaliq|ضِلع اوكاڑا}}}}), is a [[Districts of Pakistan|district]] of [[Punjab (Pakistan)|Punjab]], [[Pakistan]]. It became a separate district in 1982, prior to that it was part of [[Sahiwal District]].<ref name=CBO>[http://www.cbokara.gov.pk/en//history History of Okara District on Cantonment Board Okara website] Government of Pakistan website, Retrieved 12 April 2021</ref>
'''Okara District''' ([[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] and {{langx|ur|{{Nastaliq|ضلع اوكاڑہ}}}}) is a [[Districts of Pakistan|district]] of [[Punjab (Pakistan)|Punjab]], [[Pakistan]]. It became a separate district in 1982, prior to that it was part of [[Sahiwal District]].<ref name=CBO>[http://www.cbokara.gov.pk/en//history History of Okara District on Cantonment Board Okara website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220614160534/http://cbokara.gov.pk/en//history |date=14 June 2022 }} Government of Pakistan website, Retrieved 12 April 2021</ref>
The [[Multan]] Road connects the district capital, [[Okara, Pakistan|Okara]] with [[Lahore]] 110&nbsp;km away and [[Faisalabad]] is 100&nbsp;km by passing away [[Ravi River]].<mapframe latitude="30.805312" longitude="73.444269" zoom="9" width="271" height="154" align="left" />
 
==Geography==
Okara District is bounded on the on the south by [[Bahawalnagar District|Bahawalnagar district]], on the South-West by [[Pakpattan District|Pakpattan district]], on the west by [[Sahiwal District|Sahiwal]], on the north by the districts of [[Faisalabad District|Faisalabad]] and [[Nankana Sahib District|Nankana Sahib]], on the Near-East & Far-North by [[Kasur District|Kasur]], on the South-East by [[Fazilka district]] in Indian Punjab. '''Okara District''' lies on [[Radcliffe line]]/[[Indo-Pakistani border]], therefore its geographic importance for defence is high. [[Okara Cantonment]] has a significant position in Pakistan.


==History==
==History==
Okara region was an agricultural region with forests during the [[Indus Valley civilization]].the old name of Okara city was (<u>'''okan-wala اوکا والا'''</u>) The [[Vedic period]] is characterized by [[Indo-Aryan peoples|Indo-Aryan]] culture that invaded from [[Central Asia]] and settled in the [[Punjab region]]. The [[Kambojas]], [[Daradas]], [[Kekaya|Kaikayas]], Madras, [[Pauravas]], [[Yaudheya]]s, [[Malavas]], [[Saindhava]]s and [[Kuru (kingdom)|Kuru]]s invaded, settled and ruled ancient [[Punjab region]]. After overrunning the [[Achaemenid dynasty|Achaemenid Empire]] in 331 BCE, [[Alexander the Great|Alexander]] marched into present-day [[Punjab region]] with an army of 50,000. The Okara was ruled by [[Maurya Empire]], [[Indo-Greek kingdom]], [[Kushan Empire]], [[Gupta Empire]], [[Hephthalite Empire|White Huns]], [[Kushano-Hephthalites]] and the [[Turk Shahi|Turk]] and [[Hindu Shahi]] kingdoms.<ref name=CBO/>
After the decline of the [[Mughal Empire]], the [[Sikh Empire]] invaded and occupied Sahiwal. The Muslims faced restrictions during the Sikh rule.  During the period of [[British Raj|British rule]], there was an Okan forest where the city has been built. The city is a relatively new agricultural city. The settlement's name "Okara" actually originated from word "Okan" (a lush green tree with needle-like leaves). The [[Tamarix|Okan Tree]] gave birth to word Okanwali ('''Land of Okan''') which ultimately became Okara.<ref name=okara>[https://www.punjab.gov.pk/okara Okara on Punjab Portal, Punjab Government website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926164655/https://www.punjab.gov.pk/okara |date=26 September 2022 }} Retrieved 11 April 2021</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1390884 |title=Visiting Okara District Complex a tough task|author=Aslam Piracha|date=22 February 2018|newspaper=Dawn (newspaper)|access-date=11 April 2021}}</ref> During [[British Raj|British rule]], the area was part of [[Montgomery District]] and contained a large [[Potassium nitrate|saltpeter]] refinery.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V20_318.gif |title=Punjab – Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 20, p. 312. |access-date=20 February 2021 |archive-date=7 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240707012902/https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V20_318.gif |url-status=dead }}</ref> At [[Partition of India|independence]] in 1947, one of the two textile mills that [[Pakistan]] got was in Okara. The mill was known as Sutlej textile mill and it was Asia's biggest textile mill at the time but at present, it has closed down. In 1982, the city became the headquarters of the newly created Okara District. Okara has had a railway line since 1892.<ref name=CBO/>
 
In 997 CE, [[Mahmud of Ghazni|Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi]], took over the [[Ghaznavids|Ghaznavid dynasty]] empire established by his father, [[Sabuktigin|Sultan Sebuktegin]]. In 1005, he conquered the [[Hindu Shahi|Shahi]]s in [[Kabul]], and followed it by the conquests of northern [[Punjab region]]. The [[Delhi Sultanate]] and later the [[Mughal Empire]] ruled this region. The Punjab region became predominantly [[Muslim]] due to [[missionary]] [[Sufi]] saints whose [[dargah]]s dot the landscape of the [[Punjab region]].
 
After the decline of the [[Mughal Empire]], the [[Sikh Empire]] invaded and occupied Sahiwal. The Muslims faced restrictions during the Sikh rule.  During the period of [[British Raj|British rule]] there was a forest of Okaan where the city has been built. The city is a relatively new agricultural city. The word "Okara" for this district was actually originated from word "Okan" (a lush green tree with needle like leaves). The [[Tamarix|Okan Tree]] gave birth to word Okanwali ('''Land of Okan''') which ultimately finalized into Okara.<ref name=okara>[https://www.punjab.gov.pk/okara Okara on Punjab Portal, Punjab Government website] Retrieved 11 April 2021</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1390884 |title=Visiting Okara District Complex a tough task|author=Aslam Piracha|date=22 February 2018|newspaper=Dawn (newspaper)|access-date=11 April 2021}}</ref> During [[British Raj|British rule]] the area was part of [[Montgomery District]] and contained a large [[Potassium nitrate|saltpeter]] refinery.<ref>[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V20_318.gif Punjab – Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 20, p. 312.]</ref> At [[Partition of India|independence]] in 1947, one of the two textile mills that [[Pakistan]] got was in Okara. The mill was known as Sutlej textile mill and it was Asia's biggest textile mill at that time but at present, it is closed down. In 1982 the city became the headquarters of the newly created Okara District. Okara has had a railway line since 1892.<ref name=CBO/>
 
Okara District was previously part of Montgomery District which included: [[Pakpattan]], [[Sahiwal]], Okara districts of [[Punjab (Pakistan)|Punjab]]. The predominantly Muslim population supported the [[All-India Muslim League|Muslim League]] and the [[Pakistan Movement]]. After the [[Partition of India|independence]] of [[Pakistan]] in 1947, the minority [[Hindu]]s and [[Sikh]]s migrated to [[India]] while the [[Muslim]] refugees from [[India]] settled in the Okara district.
 
==Agriculture==
Okara District is famous for its fertile lands, peaceful natural environment and green fields of [[Potato]], [[tomato]], [[sugarcane]], [[wheat]], [[rice]] and [[maize]] crops. [[Orange (fruit)|Orange]]s and [[Mangoe]]s orchards are common.<ref name=okara/> The area of district Okara is the gold mine for history seekers, spiritual and curious travellers. One can find archaeological remains of different dynasties of prehistory, [[Indus Valley civilisation]], [[Achaemenid invasion of the Indus Valley|Persians]], [[Ghaznavids]], [[Delhi Sultanate|Sultanates]], the [[Mugal Empire]], the [[Sikh Confederacy]] and the [[British Raj]].<ref name=okara/><ref name=CBO/>
 
There is a central ridge, in the centre of Okara District, which marks the old river bed of the [[Beas River|Beas]], and the boundary b/w the eastern and western half of the district. The ridge descends from [[Kasur]], all the way to [[Chunian]], and then [[Shergarh, Punjab|Shergarh]] in Okara. As you go west of the ridge, into [[Okara Tehsil|Okara]] & [[Renala Khurd Tehsil|Renala Khurd]], the subsoil water is brackish, therefore the area is dependent on canals for irrigation. However, after you cross the ridge east into [[Depalpur Tehsil]], the subsoil water is sweet and good for agriculture.


Other produce grown locally includes the outputs of [[lemon]], [[guava]] & [[grapefruit]] orchards, belonging to the food processing company, [[Mitchell's Fruit Farms Limited]]. The orchard runs for about 6 miles, along with the LBDC, from [[Renala Khurd]] all the way up to the Okara bypass.<ref name=CBO/>
In 2015, a jail was established in Okara which is named as Okara District Jail. The 52-acre prison has the capacity to hold 750 prisoners.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Okara City and District: History, Facts, and Overview |url=https://pakgeography.com/okara-district/ |access-date=2025-06-07 |website=Pak Geography |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=District Jail Okara {{!}} Punjab Prisons |url=https://prisons.punjab.gov.pk/distt_jail_okara |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240630212726/https://prisons.punjab.gov.pk/distt_jail_okara |archive-date=30 June 2024 |access-date=2025-06-07 |website=prisons.punjab.gov.pk |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref>


Okara is famous for world-class potato production. Okara ranks on the top in potatoes cultivation along [[Pakpattan]], Sahiwal, [[Khanewal]], Vehari, and [[Multan]] contribute more than 60% of potato produced in Pakistan.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mahmood |first=Amjad |date=2021-04-19 |title=The tuber territory of Okara |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1618941 |access-date=2023-01-31 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-29 |title=Pakistan eyes China to boost potato industry |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2350184/pakistan-eyes-china-to-boost-potato-industry |access-date=2023-01-31 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}}</ref>  
== Agriculture & Irrigation ==
Okara, [[Pakpattan]], Sahiwal, [[Khanewal]], Vehari and [[Multan]] combined produce more than 60% of the potatoe harvest of Pakistan.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mahmood |first=Amjad |date=2021-04-19 |title=The tuber territory of Okara |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1618941 |access-date=2023-01-31 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2022-03-29 |title=Pakistan eyes China to boost potato industry |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2350184/pakistan-eyes-china-to-boost-potato-industry |access-date=2023-01-31 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}}</ref> The whole area was  barren land till the introduction of canal system. However, [[Lower Bari Doab Canal]] (LBDC) from river [[Ravi River|Ravi]] in 1913, and later Depalpur and Pakpattan canals, brought the entire district under the command of irrigation system.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Okara district profile - urbanunit.gov.pk |url=https://urbanunit.gov.pk/Download/publications/Files/8/2021/PCIIP%20Cities%20Profile-Okara.pdf}}</ref>


==Demographics==
==Demographics==
At the time of the 2017 census the district had a population of 3,040,826, of which 1,564,470 were males and 1,476,071 females. Rural population is 2,198,262 while the urban population is 842,564. The literacy rate was 58.28%. [[Punjabi Muslims|Muslims]] were the predominant religious community with 98.53% of the population while [[Christianity in Punjab, Pakistan|Christians]] were 1.44% of the population.<ref name="2017census">{{cite web|title=District Wise Results / Tables (Census - 2017)|url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/content/district-wise-results-tables-census-2017|website=www.pbscensus.gov.pk|publisher=[[Pakistan Bureau of Statistics]]}}</ref>


There are many tribes and clans settled in the Okara District. The majority of the population of Okara are [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] speaking [[Muslim]]s. The main tribes and clans include: Syed, Malik, Jhujh, Basti Peeran Wali Depalpur Shekikhu Sharif, Channar, Wattus, Mungun, Jhakhar, Klaason, Dhall Jutt, [[Rajput|Raajpoots]], [[Punjabi Shaikh|Shaikhs]], [[Lodhi (caste)|Lodhis]], [[Kharal]]s, Kamyanas, [[Kamboj|Kumbohs]], Khaanzaadas, Noons, [[Arain]]s, [[Chaudhary]] and [[Baloch people|Baloch]] are prominent. However, the [[Jat Muslim|Jat]] population is less compared to other communities.<ref name="Dawn" />
{{Historical populations
|align=center
|percentages=pagr
|1951 |730472
|1961 |827528
|1972 |1123812
|1981 |1487261
|1998 |2232992
|2017 |3040826
|2023 |3515490
|footnote= Sources:<ref>{{cite web |title=Population by administrative units 1951-1998 |url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/1998/administrative_units.pdf |publisher = [[Pakistan Bureau of Statistics]]}}</ref>
}}


At the time of the 2017 census, 96.10% of the population spoke [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] and 2.65% [[Urdu]] as their first language.<ref name="2017census" />
{{bar box
The main Punjabi dialects of the district are [[Jhangvi dialect|Jhangvi]] (or Rachnavi), and the standard [[Majhi dialect]].
|title=Religion in Okara district (2023)<ref name="2023table9"/>
|titlebar=#Fcd116
|left1=Religion
|right1=Percent
|float = left
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Punjabi Muslims|Islam]]|green|98.38}}
{{bar percent|[[Christianity in Punjab, Pakistan|Christianity]]|dodgerblue|1.59}}
{{bar percent|Other or not stated|black|0.03}}
}}


==Livestock==
As of the [[2023 Pakistani census|2023 census]], Okara district has 549,724 households and a population of 3,515,490. The district has a sex ratio of 103.73 males to 100 females and a literacy rate of 60.25%: 66.52% for males and 53.71% for females.<ref name="2023table1">{{cite web |title=7th Population and Housing Census - Detailed Results: Table 1 |url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/punjab/dcr/table_1.pdf |website=[[Pakistan Bureau of Statistics]]}}</ref><ref name="2023table12">{{cite web |title=7th Population and Housing Census - Detailed Results: Table 12 |url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/table_12_punjab_district.pdf |website=[[Pakistan Bureau of Statistics]]}}</ref> 958,545 (27.36% of the surveyed population) are under 10 years of age.<ref name="2023table5">{{cite web |title=7th Population and Housing Census - Detailed Results: Table 5 |url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/punjab/dcr/table_5.pdf |website=[[Pakistan Bureau of Statistics]] |publisher=}}</ref> 1,187,504 (33.78%) live in urban areas.<ref name="2023table1" />
Okara is also known for its cattle breed known as [[Sahiwal cattle|Sahiwal]] and a [[Water buffalo]] breed known as [[Niliravi]]. It is very rich in livestock population and production. The [[Livestock Production Research Institute|Livestock Production Research Institute (LPRI)]] Bahadar Nagar Farm is a very large Government farm near Okara city (18.5&nbsp;km on Faisalabad road from DepalPur Chowk Okara). The farm has a large number of cows, buffalos, bulls (for reproduction), goats and sheep. Okara is a major milk producing city of Pakistan. There is also a large military dairy farm in Okara district originally set up in 1913.<ref name=Newsline/> After the [[independence of Pakistan]] in 1947, the 'battai system' (sharing-partners in crop yields) continued in all military-owned farms in Pakistan, with the farmers taking their respective shares in the crop yields.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1314706 |author=Ikram Junaidi|date=14 February 2017|newspaper=Dawn (newspaper)|title=Okara farms dispute nearing 'amicable solution'|access-date=11 April 2021}}</ref><ref name=Newsline>{{cite journal|url=https://newslinemagazine.com/magazine/land-land-peasants-okara-fight-rights/ |author=Kunwar Khuldune Shahid|date=1 June 2016|title=This Land is Our Land: Peasants in Okara fight for their rights|journal=Newsline (magazine)|access-date=12 April 2021}}</ref>


==Infrastructure==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
There are two modern Cricket Stadiums (Okara Gymkhana Cricket Ground and Jinnah Cricket Stadium). Okara Gymkhana Cricket ground is a First Class Cricket venue of Pakistan Cricket Board. Football, Hockey, Basketball Court, Badminton Arena are also constructed in the heart of City. A new international hockey stadium is being constructed in Renala Khurd Tehsil of Okara, which would be completed by 2013.
|+ Religion in contemporary Okara District
! rowspan="2" |[[Religion in Pakistan|Religious]]<br>group
! colspan="2" |1941<ref name="Montgomery1941">{{cite web |title=CENSUS OF INDIA, 1941 VOLUME VI PUNJAB PROVINCE |url=https://www.jstor.org/site/south-asia-open-archives/saoa/censusofindia1941-28216851/ |access-date=21 July 2022}}</ref>{{rp|42}}
! colspan="2" |2017<ref name="2017census">{{cite web |title=District Wise Results / Tables (Census - 2017) |url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/census-2017-district-wise |website=www.pbscensus.gov.pk |publisher=[[Pakistan Bureau of Statistics]]}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2023<ref name="2023table9">{{cite web |title=7th Population and Housing Census - Detailed Results: Table 9 |url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/punjab/dcr/table_9.pdf |website=[[Pakistan Bureau of Statistics]]}}</ref>
|-
![[Population|{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}]]
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
|-
| [[Islam]] [[File:Star and Crescent.svg|15px]]
|414,437
|{{Percentage|414437|567599|2}}
|2,995,995
|{{Percentage|2995995|3040826|2}}
|3,446,579
|98.38%
|-
| [[Hinduism]] [[File:Om.svg|15px]]{{efn|name=ad-dharmi|1941 census: Including [[Ad-Dharmi]]s}}
|78,751
|{{Percentage|78751|567599|2}}
|214
|{{Percentage|12|3040826|2}}
|214
|0%
|-
| [[Sikhism]] [[File:Khanda.svg|15px]]
|65,749
|{{Percentage|65749|567599|2}}
|{{N/a}}
|{{N/a}}
|44
|0%
|-
| [[Christianity]] [[File:Christian cross.svg|15px]]
|8,602
|{{Percentage|8602|567599|2}}
|43,636
|{{Percentage|43636|3040826|2}}
|55,735
|1.59%
|-
|[[Ahmadiyya in Pakistan|Ahmadi]]
|{{N/a}}
|{{N/a}}
|956
|{{Percentage|956|3040826|2}}
|594
|0.02%
|-
| Others{{efn|Including [[Jainism]], [[Buddhism]], [[Zoroastrianism]], [[Judaism]], or not stated}}
| 60
|{{Percentage|60|567599|2}}
|25
|{{Percentage|25|3040826|2}}
|285
|0.01%
|-
! Total Population
! 567,599
!{{Percentage|567599|567599|2}}
!3,040,826
!{{Percentage|3040826|3040826|2}}
!3,503,451
!100%
|- class="sortbottom"
| colspan="7" | {{small|Note: 1941 census data is for Okara and Depalpur tehsils of the former [[Montgomery District]], which roughly corresponds to contemporary Okara district. District and tehsil borders have changed since 1941.}}
|}


There are also many small and considerable big parks for the general public. The three main recreational parks are Ladies Park, Bagh-e-Jinnah and District Park.
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Languages of Okara district (2023)<ref name="2023table11"/>
|label1 = [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] |value1 = 94.16 |color1 = red
|label2 = [[Urdu]] |value2 = 4.64 |color2 = green
|label3 = Others |value3 = 1.20 |color3 = grey
}}


Educational institutes include Education University, Cadet College, Government College for Boy, two Government Colleges for Women.
At the time of the 2023 census, 94.16% of the population spoke [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] and 4.64% [[Urdu]] as their first language.<ref name="2023table11">{{cite web |title=7th Population and Housing Census - Detailed Results: Table 11 |url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/punjab/dcr/table_11.pdf |website=[[Pakistan Bureau of Statistics]]}}</ref> The main Punjabi dialects of the district are [[Jhangvi dialect|Jhangvi]] (or Rachnavi), and the standard [[Majhi dialect]].


There are various numerous public & private hospitals and clinics providing the health services. Hospitals include the District Government hospital, surgical hospital and C.M.H Okara Cantt. There is also a Social welfare health society which is being operated by the Government of Punjab. Every hospital has more than two ambulances. Located in the village of Rehampur the Rosary Christian Hospital also provides medical services to Okara and surrounding areas.
There are many tribes and clans settled in the Okara District. The majority of the population of Okara are [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] speaking [[Muslim]]s. The main tribes and clans include: Syed, Malik, Jhujh, Channar, Wattus, Mungun, Jhakhar, Klaason, Dhall Jutt, [[Rajput]]s, [[Punjabi Shaikh|Shaikhs]], [[Lodhi (caste)|Lodhis]], [[Kharal]]s, Kamyanas, [[Kamboj|Kumbohs]], [[Khanzada Rajputs|Khanzadas]], Noons, [[Arain]]s, Chaudhary and [[Baloch people|Baloch]] are prominent. However, the [[Jat Muslim|Jat]] population is less compared to other communities.<ref name="Dawn" />


The '1122 Rescue' Government organization is also offering their services in Okara city. There is also a separated Fire station, located in the centre of the city, which has several old and also latest fire engines for safety services.
According to the 2023 census conducted by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, 98.47 % population of Okara district is Muslim.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Population by religion - pbs.gov.pk |url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/table_9_punjab_districts.pdf}}</ref>


Okara also has a Railway station, which contains several platforms, where almost every train going from [[Islamabad]] to [[Karachi]] makes a stop. There are two railway underpasses and two flyovers which helps in smooth flow of traffic.
==Livestock==
Okara is also known for its cattle breed known as [[Sahiwal cattle|Sahiwal]] and a [[Water buffalo]] breed known as [[Niliravi]]. It is very rich in livestock population and production. The [[Livestock Production Research Institute|Livestock Production Research Institute (LPRI)]] Bahadar Nagar Farm is a very large Government farm near Okara city (18.5&nbsp;km on Faisalabad road from DepalPur Chowk Okara). The farm has a large number of cows, buffalos, bulls (for reproduction), goats and sheep. Okara is a major milk producing city of Pakistan. There is also a large military dairy farm in Okara district originally set up in 1913.<ref name=Newsline/> After the [[independence of Pakistan]] in 1947, the 'battai system' (sharing-partners in crop yields) continued in all military-owned farms in Pakistan, with the farmers taking their respective shares in the crop yields.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1314706 |author=Ikram Junaidi|date=14 February 2017|newspaper=Dawn (newspaper)|title=Okara farms dispute nearing 'amicable solution'|access-date=11 April 2021}}</ref><ref name=Newsline>{{cite journal|url=https://newslinemagazine.com/magazine/land-land-peasants-okara-fight-rights/ |author=Kunwar Khuldune Shahid|date=1 June 2016|title=This Land is Our Land: Peasants in Okara fight for their rights|journal=Newsline|access-date=12 April 2021}}</ref>


On 31 May 2005, the Ex-President General [[Pervez Musharraf]] inaugurated the Okara Bypass (30.786887° 73.459238°), the length of 12.7&nbsp;km, on GT road (N-5). This project was commenced on 5 September 2003, due to the great demand of the people of the area. It was completed at the cost of 62.817 Crore Rupees. This interchange proved very helpful in the smooth flow of national highway traffic, particularly between Lahore and Multan and to reduce the national traffic in the city. This bypass connects the Karachi-Lahore-Peshawar national highway which is the economic lifeline of Pakistan.<ref name=CBO/>
==Bypass==
Since 2005 the Okara Bypass (30.786887° 73.459238°), with a length of 12.7&nbsp;km, on GT road (N-5) was opened.yes<ref name=CBO/>


==Surroundings==
==Surroundings==
Nearby cities are [[Hvaili Lakha]], [[Sahiwal]], [[Pakpattan]], [[Depalpur Tehsil|Depalpur]], Mundi Ahmad Abaad, [[Bseer Poor]] and [[Renaala Khurd]]. There is a famous shrine of Sufi Sayed Shubbeer Husain Shaah Gilaani situated in the village "47/2-L (Raajpootaan) near Depalpur road, Okara. There is a famous shrine of Soofi Baaba Wlee Roshun Shaah situated in the village of Bonga Saaleh. Every year on 27th of Harr (Desi month), Maila(Fair) is celebrated. Another well-known shrine near Depalpur is that of Daud Bundgi Kirmaani, located in the town of Shair Gurh. His ours is held in the middle of March, and is attended by thousands from all over Punjaab and beyond. In the west of Okara city, the Ravi river goes winding along the borders of [[Faisalabad District]] and [[Sheikhupura District]].
Towns in the district include:
 
The main towns of the district are:
*[[Depalpur Tehsil|Depalpur]]<ref name=OkaraDistrict>[https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/bwpsr/punjab/OKARA_BLOCKWISE.pdf Population Detail of Okara District on Government of Punjab website] Retrieved 12 April 2021</ref>
*[[Depalpur Tehsil|Depalpur]]<ref name=OkaraDistrict>[https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/bwpsr/punjab/OKARA_BLOCKWISE.pdf Population Detail of Okara District on Government of Punjab website] Retrieved 12 April 2021</ref>
*[[Renaala Khourd]]
*[[Renala Khurd]]
*[[Bseer Pur]]
*[[Basirpur]]
*[[Hvaili Lakha]]
*[[Houjra Shaah Moqeem]]
 
And some minor towns of the district are:
*[[Akhtar Abad Old Dhuniwala]]
*[[Mundi Ahmad Abad|Ahmad Abad]]
*[[Bseer Poor]]<ref name=OkaraDistrict/>
*[[Haveli Lakha]]
*[[Haveli Lakha]]
*[[Bungla Googaira]]
*[[Hujra Shah Muqeem|Hujra Shaah Moqeem]]
*[[Jbokuh]]
*[[Jundraakuh]]
*[[Mopaakkay]]
*[[Choochuk]]
*[[Kohluh]]
*[[Bama Baala & Baamuh Zaireen]]
*[[Moza Joyuh]]
*[[Ghaziabad]]
*[[Ghaziabad]]
*[[Sutguruh Aduh]]
*[[Jaboka]]
*[[Maoza Jhaidioo]]
*[[Chak 14 Gd Tehsildar]]
*[[Maoza Lukhun]]
*[[Naul Plot]]
*[[Shair K Baala & Shair K Zaireen]]
*[[Satghara]]
*[[Outhwaal Jaageer]]
*[[Maoza Joota new name Taariq Abad]]
*[[Busti Peeraan Dey]]
*[[Baarun Poor]]
*[[Maoza Mourdaani]]
*[[Maoza Futtoo-Aanuh]]
*[[Jhakhar Chowk 35/GD]]
*[[Maoza Akber or Ukbur]]
*[[Thuthuh Inaayet Ka]]
*[[Maozuh Sheereen Wutwaan]]
*[[Maozuh Fteh Poor]]
*[[Thuthuh Baig Wutwaan]]
*[[Thuthuh Taahir Ka Wutwaan]]
*[[Chak Khan Mohummud]]
*[[Thuthuh Fteh Ali Wutwaan. The most beautiful & interesting village of the World]]
*[[Chak NO.1/4L]]
*[[Chak NO.2/4L]]
*[[Chak NO.3/4L Arain]]
*[[Chak NO.4/4L]]
*[[Chak NO.5/4L]]
*[[Chak NO.6/4L]]
*[[Chak NO.7/4L]]
*[[Chak NO.8/4L]]
*[[Chak NO.9/4L]]
*[[Chak NO.10/4L]]
*[[Chak NO.11/4L]]
*[[Chak NO.12/4L]]
*[[Chak NO.13/4L]]
*[[Chak NO.14/4L]]
*[[Chak NO.15/4L]]
*[[Chak NO.16/4L]]
*[[Chak NO.18/4L]]
*[[Chak NO.19/4L]]
*[[Chak NO.20/4L]]
*[[Chak NO.21/4L]]
*[[Chak NO.22/4L]]
*[[Chak NO.23/4L]]
*[[Chak NO.24/4L]]
*[[Chak NO.25/4L]]
*[[Chak NO.26/4L]]
*[[Chak NO.27/4L]]
*[[Chak NO.28/4L]]
*[[Chak NO.29/4L]]
*[[Chak NO.30/4L Raisaan]]
*[[Chak NO.30/4L Mohaaraan]]
*[[Chak NO.31/4L Kaori Blochaan]]
*[[Chak NO.32/4L Oogoo Aana siaal]]
*[[Chak NO.33/4L Chunnur]]
*[[Chak NO.34/4L Thaakruh]]
*[[Chak NO.35/4L Juttaan]]
*[[Chak NO.36/4L Nizaam Aana Bloch]]
*[[Chak NO.36/4L Mulgudhay Bloch]]
*[[Chak NO.37/4L Jhakhraan wala]]
*[[Chak NO.38/4L Pgaala]]
*[[Chak NO.39/4L Bhutti]]
*[[Chak NO.39/4L Bhojoo Aana Siaal]]
*[[Chak NO.40/4L Nao Thain Bodluh]]
*[[Chak NO.40/4L Siaal]]
*[[Chak NO.41/4L]]
*[[Chak NO.42/4L]]
*[[Chak NO.43/4L Roda]]
*[[Chak NO.43/4L Taeloo]]
*[[Chak NO.27/2L]]
*[[Chak NO.28/2L]]
*[[Chak NO.27/2L]]
*[[Chak NO.28/2L]]
*[[Chak NO.29/2L]]
*[[Chak NO.30/2L]]
*[[Chak NO.31/2L]]
*[[Chak NO.32/2L]]
*[[Chak NO.33/2L]]
*[[Chak NO.34/2L]]
*[[Chak NO.35/2L]]
*[[Chak NO.36/2L]]
*[[Chak NO.37-38/2L or Chak NO.37-38/4L or Soukkuh Chak Jhakhraan wala or Pukkuh Khooh]]
*[[Chak NO.39/2L]]
*[[Chak NO.40/2L]]
*[[Chak NO.41/2L]]
*[[Chak NO.42/2L]]
*[[Chak NO.43/2L]]
*[[Chak NO.44/2L]]
*[[Chak NO.45/2L]]
*[[Chak NO.46/2L]]
*[[Chak NO.47/2L]]
*[[Chak NO.48/2L]]
*[[Chak NO.49/2L]]
*[[Chak NO.50/2L]]
*[[Chak NO.51/2L]]
*[[Chak NO.52/2L]]
*[[Chak NO.53/2L]]
*[[Chak NO.54/2L]]
*[[Chak NO.55/2L]]
*[[Chak NO.56/2L]]
<ref name=OkaraDistrict/>


==Administration division==
==Administration division==
[[File:Okara constituencies.jpg|thumb|right|Map of the district's constituent units (national assembly)]]
[[File:Okara constituencies.jpg|thumb|right|Map of the district's constituent units (national assembly)]]
The following is a table of the [[Tehsil]]s & [[Union councils of Pakistan|Union Council]]s of Okara District:
The following is a table of the [[Tehsil]]s & [[Union councils of Pakistan|Union Council]]s of Okara District:
{| class="wikitable sortable static-row-numbers static-row-header-hash"
!Tehsil<ref>[http://www.ecp.gov.pk/content/District.html Divisions/Districts of Pakistan] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060930093025/http://www.ecp.gov.pk/content/District.html|date=2006-09-30}} Note: Although divisions as an administrative structure has been abolished, the election commission of Pakistan still groups districts under the division names</ref>
!Area
(km²)<ref>{{Cite web |title=TABLE 1 : AREA, POPULATION BY SEX, SEX RATIO, POPULATION DENSITY, URBAN POPULATION, HOUSEHOLD SIZE AND ANNUAL GROWTH RATE, CENSUS-2023, PUNJAB |url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/punjab/dcr/table_1.pdf}}</ref>
!Pop.
(2023)
!Density
(ppl/km²)


(2023)
!Literacy rate
(2023)<ref>{{Cite web |title=LITERACY RATE, ENROLMENT AND OUT OF SCHOOL POPULATION BY SEX AND RURAL/URBAN, CENSUS-2023 |url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/table_12_punjab_districts.pdf}}</ref>
!Union Councils
|-
|[[Depalpur Tehsil|Depalpur]]
|2,502
|1,592,201
|636.37
|55.29%
|55
|-
|[[Okara Tehsil|Okara]]
|1,241
|1,393,746
|1,123.08
|63.34%
|41
|-
|[[Renala Khurd Tehsil|Renala Khurd]]
|634
|529,543
|835.24
|66.98%
|18
|}
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
Line 241: Line 255:
! [[Depalpur Tehsil|Depalpur]]
! [[Depalpur Tehsil|Depalpur]]
| 1/SP WESAWEWALA, AMLI MOTI, AWAN KALAN, BARICT (CHAK BAWA), BASIRPUR-1, BASIRPUR-2, [[Behlolpur (Okara)|BEHLOL PUR]], BHELA GULAB SINGH, BHOMAN SHAH, BHONE MANZaBTA, BHUTA MOHABBAT, BONGA SALEH, CHIPLI PUR, DEPALPUR-1, DEPALPUR-2, DEPALPUR-3, DHULLIANA, FARID PUR SOHAG, GUDDAR MULKANA, [[Haveli Lakha|HAVELI LAKHA]]-1, [[Haveli Lakha|HAVELI LAKHA]]-2, [[Haveli Lakha|HAVELI LAKHA]]-3, HUJRA SHAH MUQEEM-1, HUJRA SHAH MUQEEM-2, HUJRA SHAH MUQEEM-3, JAITH PUR, JHUJH KALAN, KANI PUR, KLAIR KALAN, MAHANT DARSHAN, MANCHARIAN, [[Ahmedabad, Punjab|MANDI AHMADABAD]], MAROOF, MAZHAR ABAD, MEHAR SHAH KHAGA, MOHIB ALI UTAR, MUHAMMAD NAGAR, MUSTAFABAD., NAHAL MAHAR, NAMA JINDEKA, PANDAT MANFOOL PUR, PHULLAN TOLI, PIPLI PAHAR, [[Qadirabad|QADIR ABAD]], QILA JAVAND SINGH, [[Qila Tara Singh|QILA TARA SINGH]], RAJOWAL, RATTA KHANNA, REHMAT WALA, ROHILA TAJEYKA, RUKAN PURA, SHAH NAWAZ KHAN, SHAH YAKKA, [[Shergarh, Punjab|SHERGARH]], SOBHA RAM || 55  
| 1/SP WESAWEWALA, AMLI MOTI, AWAN KALAN, BARICT (CHAK BAWA), BASIRPUR-1, BASIRPUR-2, [[Behlolpur (Okara)|BEHLOL PUR]], BHELA GULAB SINGH, BHOMAN SHAH, BHONE MANZaBTA, BHUTA MOHABBAT, BONGA SALEH, CHIPLI PUR, DEPALPUR-1, DEPALPUR-2, DEPALPUR-3, DHULLIANA, FARID PUR SOHAG, GUDDAR MULKANA, [[Haveli Lakha|HAVELI LAKHA]]-1, [[Haveli Lakha|HAVELI LAKHA]]-2, [[Haveli Lakha|HAVELI LAKHA]]-3, HUJRA SHAH MUQEEM-1, HUJRA SHAH MUQEEM-2, HUJRA SHAH MUQEEM-3, JAITH PUR, JHUJH KALAN, KANI PUR, KLAIR KALAN, MAHANT DARSHAN, MANCHARIAN, [[Ahmedabad, Punjab|MANDI AHMADABAD]], MAROOF, MAZHAR ABAD, MEHAR SHAH KHAGA, MOHIB ALI UTAR, MUHAMMAD NAGAR, MUSTAFABAD., NAHAL MAHAR, NAMA JINDEKA, PANDAT MANFOOL PUR, PHULLAN TOLI, PIPLI PAHAR, [[Qadirabad|QADIR ABAD]], QILA JAVAND SINGH, [[Qila Tara Singh|QILA TARA SINGH]], RAJOWAL, RATTA KHANNA, REHMAT WALA, ROHILA TAJEYKA, RUKAN PURA, SHAH NAWAZ KHAN, SHAH YAKKA, [[Shergarh, Punjab|SHERGARH]], SOBHA RAM || 55  
|-
!
|
|
|-
|-
! [[Okara Tehsil|Okara]]
! [[Okara Tehsil|Okara]]
| [[Thatta Ghulamka]] CHAK NO 25/2R SANGO-KA (CH BASHIR AHMAD SANGO-KA PAK ARMY), AKBAR, [[Bibi Pur|BIBI PUR]], [[Burj Jeway Khan|BURJ JEWAY KHAN]], CHAK 2/4L, CHAK 12/GD, CHAK 14/GD, CHAK 15/1R, CHAK 16/GD, CHAK 17/GD, CHAK 18/GD, CHAK 24/GD, CHAK 27/4L, CHAK 32/2L, CHAK 32/2R, CHAK 38/2R, CHAK 34/GD, CHAK 36-A/4L, CHAK 4/4L, CHAK 40/3R, CHAK 40-A/4L, CHAK 42/3R, CHAK 44/2L,CHAK 43/GD, CHAK 45/GD(RETRI), [[Chak no.48/3R|CHAK 48/3R]], CHAK 52/2R, CHAK 53/2L, FATEH PUR, GOGERA-1, [[Jaboka|JABOKA]], JANDRAKA, KOHLA, LASHARI, OKARA-1, E-BLOCK, Masibat Pura, OKARA-10, OKARA-11, OKARA-2, OKARA-3, OKARA-4, OKARA-5, OKARA-6, OKARA-7, OKARA-8, OKARA-9, [[Satghara|SATGHARA]], SHEIKHU SHARIF, TARIQ ABAD || 41, 19/1R REHANO WALA.
| [[Thatta Ghulamka]] CHAK NO 25/2R SANGO-KA (CH BASHIR AHMAD SANGO-KA PAK ARMY), AKBAR, [[Bibi Pur|BIBI PUR]], [[Burj Jeway Khan|BURJ JEWAY KHAN]], CHAK 2/4L, CHAK 12/GD, CHAK 14/GD, CHAK 15/1R, CHAK 16/GD, CHAK 17/GD, CHAK 18/GD, CHAK 24/GD, CHAK 27/4L, CHAK 32/2L, CHAK 32/2R, CHAK 38/2R, CHAK 34/GD, CHAK 36-A/4L, CHAK 4/4L, CHAK 40/3R, CHAK 40-A/4L, [[CHAK 42/3R]] (Salamatpur), CHAK 44/2L, CHAK 43/GD, CHAK 45/GD(RETRI), [[Chak no.48/3R|CHAK 48/3R]], CHAK 52/2R, CHAK 53/2L, FATEH PUR, GOGERA-1, [[Jaboka|JABOKA]], JANDRAKA, KOHLA, LASHARI, OKARA-1, E-BLOCK, Masibat Pura, OKARA-10, OKARA-11, OKARA-2, OKARA-3, OKARA-4, OKARA-5, OKARA-6, OKARA-7, OKARA-8, OKARA-9, [[Satghara|SATGHARA]], SHEIKHU SHARIF, TARIQ ABAD || 41, 19/1R REHANO WALA.
|-
|-
! [[Renala Khurd Tehsil|Renala Khurd]]
! [[Renala Khurd Tehsil|Renala Khurd]]
Line 270: Line 288:
| ''Total'' || ''4''||
| ''Total'' || ''4''||
|}
|}
==Culture==
Okara is also known for the wide variety of culture reflecting the traditions and customs of the area. [[Mela]]s (fairs) in the month of 'Saawan' are notable among these traditions where different types of games are played on the drum-beat and shops of sweets and toys etc. are decorated. The population mostly relies on agriculture as their main source of livelihood, although a number of people work in factories and offices as well. Dairy and fruit products are the identical mark of the area. The tombs of many great ''Sufis'' are also present here and Doll village of Pakistan [[Thatta Ghulamka]].


==Notable people==
==Notable people==
Line 280: Line 295:
* [[Syed Samsam Bukhari]] – Politician
* [[Syed Samsam Bukhari]] – Politician
* [[Aftab Iqbal]] – Journalist
* [[Aftab Iqbal]] – Journalist
* [[Younis Iqbal]]<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/profile/younis-iqbal |title=Younis Iqbal |publisher=Front Line Defenders |access-date=21 October 2022}}</ref> Social Activist and Founder/Chairman Anjuman Muzareen Movement  
* [[Younis Iqbal]]<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/profile/younis-iqbal |title=Younis Iqbal |date=20 April 2018 |publisher=Front Line Defenders |access-date=21 October 2022}}</ref> Social Activist and Founder/Chairman Anjuman Muzareen Movement  
* [[Rao Sikandar Iqbal]] – Politician
* [[Rao Sikandar Iqbal]] – Politician
* [[Zafar Iqbal (poet)|Zafar Iqbal]] – Poet and Columnist
* [[Zafar Iqbal (poet)|Zafar Iqbal]] – Poet and Columnist
* [[Ajmal Kasab]] - [[2008 Mumbai Attacks]] terrorist
* [[Ajmal Kasab]] - [[2008 Mumbai Attacks]] terrorist
* [[Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi]] - Lashkar e taiba terrorist
* [[Rai Ahmad Khan Kharal]] – Historic Hero
* [[Rai Ahmad Khan Kharal]] – Historic Hero
* [[Ghulam Ali Okarvi]] – Scholar
* [[Ghulam Ali Okarvi]] – Scholar
Line 290: Line 306:
* [[Saieen Zahoor]] – Sufi Musician
* [[Saieen Zahoor]] – Sufi Musician
* [[Mian Yawar Zaman]] – Politician
* [[Mian Yawar Zaman]] – Politician
* [[Iftikhar Thakur]] – Comedian
* [[Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan Okarvi]] – Scholar
* [[Saleem Albela]] – Comedian
* [[Samina Noor]]_ Politician
 
* [[Muhammad Tayyab (scientist)|Muhammad Tayyab]] – Agricultural scientist and microbiome researcher specializing in sustainable crop production and soil health.<ref>{{cite web |title=Muhammad Tayyab |url=https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=6AZyFZ4AAAAJ |website=Google Scholar |access-date=18 March 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Muhammad Tayyab's Research Profile |url=https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Muhammad-Tayyab-15 |website=ResearchGate |access-date=18 March 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last1=Tayyab | first1=Muhammad | last2=Islam | first2=Waqar | last3=Arafat | first3=Yasir | last4=Pang | first4=Ziqin | last5=Zhang | first5=Caifang | last6=Lin | first6=Yuxuan | last7=Waqas | first7=Muhammad | last8=Lin | first8=Sheng | last9=Lin | first9=Wenxiong | last10=Zhang | first10=Hua | title=Effect of Sugarcane Straw and Goat Manure on Soil Nutrient Transformation and Bacterial Communities | journal=Sustainability | publisher=MDPI AG | volume=10 | issue=7 | date=2018-07-14 | issn=2071-1050 | doi=10.3390/su10072361  | doi-access=free| page=2361}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
[[Thatta Ghulamka]] Doll Village of Pakistan in Okara
[[Thatta Ghulamka]] Doll Village of Pakistan in Okara
==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 15:21, 23 March 2026

Okara District
ضلع اوكاڑہ
District of Punjab
Top: Satghara
Center: Ghausia Masjid, Okara
Bottom: Shaikhu Sharif, Okara
Location of Okara in Punjab.
Location of Okara in Punjab.
Coordinates: 30°48′05″N 73°26′54″E / 30.801380°N 73.448334°E / 30.801380; 73.448334
Country Pakistan
ProvinceTemplate:Country data Punjab
DivisionSahiwal
HeadquartersOkara
Government
 • TypeDistrict Administration
 • Deputy CommissionerZeeshan Hanif[1]
 • District Police OfficerMansoor Aman
 • District Health OfficerN/A
Area
 • District of Punjab4,377 km2 (1,690 sq mi)
Population
 (2023)[2]
 • District of Punjab3,515,490
 • Density800/km2 (2,100/sq mi)
 • Urban
1,187,504
 • Rural
2,327,986
Literacy
[3]
 • Literacy rate
  • Total:
    (60.25%)
  • Male:
    (66.52%)
  • Female:
    (53.71%)
Time zoneUTC+5 (PST)
Area code044
TehsilsDepalpur
Okara
Renala Khurd
Number of Union councils10
Websiteokara.punjab.gov.pk

Okara District (Punjabi and Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.) is a district of Punjab, Pakistan. It became a separate district in 1982, prior to that it was part of Sahiwal District.[4]

History[edit | edit source]

After the decline of the Mughal Empire, the Sikh Empire invaded and occupied Sahiwal. The Muslims faced restrictions during the Sikh rule. During the period of British rule, there was an Okan forest where the city has been built. The city is a relatively new agricultural city. The settlement's name "Okara" actually originated from word "Okan" (a lush green tree with needle-like leaves). The Okan Tree gave birth to word Okanwali (Land of Okan) which ultimately became Okara.[5][6] During British rule, the area was part of Montgomery District and contained a large saltpeter refinery.[7] At independence in 1947, one of the two textile mills that Pakistan got was in Okara. The mill was known as Sutlej textile mill and it was Asia's biggest textile mill at the time but at present, it has closed down. In 1982, the city became the headquarters of the newly created Okara District. Okara has had a railway line since 1892.[4]

In 2015, a jail was established in Okara which is named as Okara District Jail. The 52-acre prison has the capacity to hold 750 prisoners.[8][9]

Agriculture & Irrigation[edit | edit source]

Okara, Pakpattan, Sahiwal, Khanewal, Vehari and Multan combined produce more than 60% of the potatoe harvest of Pakistan.[10][11] The whole area was barren land till the introduction of canal system. However, Lower Bari Doab Canal (LBDC) from river Ravi in 1913, and later Depalpur and Pakpattan canals, brought the entire district under the command of irrigation system.[12]

Demographics[edit | edit source]

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1951 730,472—    
1961 827,528+1.26%
1972 1,123,812+2.82%
1981 1,487,261+3.16%
1998 2,232,992+2.42%
2017 3,040,826+1.64%
2023 3,515,490+2.45%
Sources:[13]
Religion in Okara district (2023)[14]
Religion Percent
Islam
 
 98.38%
Christianity
 
 1.59%
Other or not stated
 
 0.03%

As of the 2023 census, Okara district has 549,724 households and a population of 3,515,490. The district has a sex ratio of 103.73 males to 100 females and a literacy rate of 60.25%: 66.52% for males and 53.71% for females.[2][15] 958,545 (27.36% of the surveyed population) are under 10 years of age.[16] 1,187,504 (33.78%) live in urban areas.[2]

Religion in contemporary Okara District
Religious
group 		1941[17]:42 2017[18] 2023[14]
Pop. % Pop. % Pop. %
Islam 414,437 73.02% 2,995,995 98.53% 3,446,579 98.38%
Hinduism [lower-alpha 1] 78,751 13.87% 214 0% 214 0%
Sikhism 65,749 11.58% N/A N/A 44 0%
Christianity 8,602 1.52% 43,636 1.44% 55,735 1.59%
Ahmadi N/A N/A 956 0.03% 594 0.02%
Others[lower-alpha 2] 60 0.01% 25 0% 285 0.01%
Total Population 567,599 100% 3,040,826 100% 3,503,451 100%
Note: 1941 census data is for Okara and Depalpur tehsils of the former Montgomery District, which roughly corresponds to contemporary Okara district. District and tehsil borders have changed since 1941.

Languages of Okara district (2023)[19]

  Punjabi (94.16%)
  Urdu (4.64%)
  Others (1.20%)

At the time of the 2023 census, 94.16% of the population spoke Punjabi and 4.64% Urdu as their first language.[19] The main Punjabi dialects of the district are Jhangvi (or Rachnavi), and the standard Majhi dialect.

There are many tribes and clans settled in the Okara District. The majority of the population of Okara are Punjabi speaking Muslims. The main tribes and clans include: Syed, Malik, Jhujh, Channar, Wattus, Mungun, Jhakhar, Klaason, Dhall Jutt, Rajputs, Shaikhs, Lodhis, Kharals, Kamyanas, Kumbohs, Khanzadas, Noons, Arains, Chaudhary and Baloch are prominent. However, the Jat population is less compared to other communities.[20]

According to the 2023 census conducted by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, 98.47 % population of Okara district is Muslim.[21]

Livestock[edit | edit source]

Okara is also known for its cattle breed known as Sahiwal and a Water buffalo breed known as Niliravi. It is very rich in livestock population and production. The Livestock Production Research Institute (LPRI) Bahadar Nagar Farm is a very large Government farm near Okara city (18.5 km on Faisalabad road from DepalPur Chowk Okara). The farm has a large number of cows, buffalos, bulls (for reproduction), goats and sheep. Okara is a major milk producing city of Pakistan. There is also a large military dairy farm in Okara district originally set up in 1913.[22] After the independence of Pakistan in 1947, the 'battai system' (sharing-partners in crop yields) continued in all military-owned farms in Pakistan, with the farmers taking their respective shares in the crop yields.[23][22]

Bypass[edit | edit source]

Since 2005 the Okara Bypass (30.786887° 73.459238°), with a length of 12.7 km, on GT road (N-5) was opened.yes[4]

Surroundings[edit | edit source]

Towns in the district include:

Administration division[edit | edit source]

Map of the district's constituent units (national assembly)

The following is a table of the Tehsils & Union Councils of Okara District:

Tehsil[25] Area

(km²)[26]

Pop.

(2023)

Density

(ppl/km²)

(2023)

Literacy rate

(2023)[27]

Union Councils
Depalpur 2,502 1,592,201 636.37 55.29% 55
Okara 1,241 1,393,746 1,123.08 63.34% 41
Renala Khurd 634 529,543 835.24 66.98% 18
Tehsil Unions Total Unions
Depalpur 1/SP WESAWEWALA, AMLI MOTI, AWAN KALAN, BARICT (CHAK BAWA), BASIRPUR-1, BASIRPUR-2, BEHLOL PUR, BHELA GULAB SINGH, BHOMAN SHAH, BHONE MANZaBTA, BHUTA MOHABBAT, BONGA SALEH, CHIPLI PUR, DEPALPUR-1, DEPALPUR-2, DEPALPUR-3, DHULLIANA, FARID PUR SOHAG, GUDDAR MULKANA, HAVELI LAKHA-1, HAVELI LAKHA-2, HAVELI LAKHA-3, HUJRA SHAH MUQEEM-1, HUJRA SHAH MUQEEM-2, HUJRA SHAH MUQEEM-3, JAITH PUR, JHUJH KALAN, KANI PUR, KLAIR KALAN, MAHANT DARSHAN, MANCHARIAN, MANDI AHMADABAD, MAROOF, MAZHAR ABAD, MEHAR SHAH KHAGA, MOHIB ALI UTAR, MUHAMMAD NAGAR, MUSTAFABAD., NAHAL MAHAR, NAMA JINDEKA, PANDAT MANFOOL PUR, PHULLAN TOLI, PIPLI PAHAR, QADIR ABAD, QILA JAVAND SINGH, QILA TARA SINGH, RAJOWAL, RATTA KHANNA, REHMAT WALA, ROHILA TAJEYKA, RUKAN PURA, SHAH NAWAZ KHAN, SHAH YAKKA, SHERGARH, SOBHA RAM 55
Okara Thatta Ghulamka CHAK NO 25/2R SANGO-KA (CH BASHIR AHMAD SANGO-KA PAK ARMY), AKBAR, BIBI PUR, BURJ JEWAY KHAN, CHAK 2/4L, CHAK 12/GD, CHAK 14/GD, CHAK 15/1R, CHAK 16/GD, CHAK 17/GD, CHAK 18/GD, CHAK 24/GD, CHAK 27/4L, CHAK 32/2L, CHAK 32/2R, CHAK 38/2R, CHAK 34/GD, CHAK 36-A/4L, CHAK 4/4L, CHAK 40/3R, CHAK 40-A/4L, CHAK 42/3R (Salamatpur), CHAK 44/2L, CHAK 43/GD, CHAK 45/GD(RETRI), CHAK 48/3R, CHAK 52/2R, CHAK 53/2L, FATEH PUR, GOGERA-1, JABOKA, JANDRAKA, KOHLA, LASHARI, OKARA-1, E-BLOCK, Masibat Pura, OKARA-10, OKARA-11, OKARA-2, OKARA-3, OKARA-4, OKARA-5, OKARA-6, OKARA-7, OKARA-8, OKARA-9, SATGHARA, SHEIKHU SHARIF, TARIQ ABAD 41, 19/1R REHANO WALA.
Renala Khurd Chak 13/1.R,( Imtiaz Ahmad Bhatti PA Vice Principal Academic, Aitchison College Lahore)

Chak 7/1-AL(of mahalmis) CHAK 10/1.AL, KOT GUJJARAN o KAMYANA Chak No 8/1R

AKHTARABAD, BAZEEDA, CHAK 11/1L, Chak 12/1-L, CHAK 13/1-L, CHAK 14/1-L, CHAK 18/1L, CHAK 22/1AL, CHAK 23/2L, CHAK 33/1AL, CHAK 4/1AL, CHAK 4/GD, CHAK 5/1RA, CHAK NO 4/1RA, CHAK 6/1L, CHAK 4/1.L, CHAK 7/1R, KAMAN, MOPALKEY, RENALA-1, RENALA-2 || 18

The district is also represented in the National Assembly, by 4 elected members who represent the following constituencies:

Constituency Member Party
NA-141 Ch. Nadeem Abbas Rabbera PML(N)
NA-142 Riaz ul Haq PML(N)
NA-143 Rao Muhammad Ajmal Khan PML(N)
NA-144 Muhammad Moeen Wattoo PML(N)
Total 4

Notable people[edit | edit source]

  • Muhammad Tayyab – Agricultural scientist and microbiome researcher specializing in sustainable crop production and soil health.[31][32][33]

See also[edit | edit source]

Thatta Ghulamka Doll Village of Pakistan in Okara

Notes[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1941 census: Including Ad-Dharmis
  2. ↑ Including Jainism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, or not stated

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Punjab CM appoints juniors as DCs in 22 districts". Pakistan Observer (newspaper). February 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "7th Population and Housing Census - Detailed Results: Table 1" (PDF). Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
  3. ↑ "Literacy rate, enrolments, and out-of-school population by sex and rural/urban, CENSUS-2023" (PDF).
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 History of Okara District on Cantonment Board Okara website Archived 14 June 2022 at the Wayback Machine Government of Pakistan website, Retrieved 12 April 2021
  5. ↑ Okara on Punjab Portal, Punjab Government website Archived 26 September 2022 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 11 April 2021
  6. ↑ Aslam Piracha (22 February 2018). "Visiting Okara District Complex a tough task". Dawn (newspaper). Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  7. ↑ "Punjab – Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 20, p. 312". Archived from the original on 7 July 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  8. ↑ "Okara City and District: History, Facts, and Overview". Pak Geography. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  9. ↑ "District Jail Okara | Punjab Prisons". prisons.punjab.gov.pk. Archived from the original on 30 June 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  10. ↑ Mahmood, Amjad (19 April 2021). "The tuber territory of Okara". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  11. ↑ "Pakistan eyes China to boost potato industry". The Express Tribune. 29 March 2022. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  12. ↑ "Okara district profile - urbanunit.gov.pk" (PDF).
  13. ↑ "Population by administrative units 1951-1998" (PDF). Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "7th Population and Housing Census - Detailed Results: Table 9" (PDF). Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
  15. ↑ "7th Population and Housing Census - Detailed Results: Table 12" (PDF). Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
  16. ↑ "7th Population and Housing Census - Detailed Results: Table 5" (PDF). Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
  17. ↑ "CENSUS OF INDIA, 1941 VOLUME VI PUNJAB PROVINCE". Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  18. ↑ "District Wise Results / Tables (Census - 2017)". www.pbscensus.gov.pk. Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "7th Population and Housing Census - Detailed Results: Table 11" (PDF). Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "After election debacle, Wattoo resigns as PPP's central Punjab president". Dawn (newspaper). 14 May 2013. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  21. ↑ "Population by religion - pbs.gov.pk" (PDF).
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Kunwar Khuldune Shahid (1 June 2016). "This Land is Our Land: Peasants in Okara fight for their rights". Newsline. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  23. ↑ Ikram Junaidi (14 February 2017). "Okara farms dispute nearing 'amicable solution'". Dawn (newspaper). Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  24. ↑ Population Detail of Okara District on Government of Punjab website Retrieved 12 April 2021
  25. ↑ Divisions/Districts of Pakistan Archived 2006-09-30 at the Wayback Machine Note: Although divisions as an administrative structure has been abolished, the election commission of Pakistan still groups districts under the division names
  26. ↑ "TABLE 1 : AREA, POPULATION BY SEX, SEX RATIO, POPULATION DENSITY, URBAN POPULATION, HOUSEHOLD SIZE AND ANNUAL GROWTH RATE, CENSUS-2023, PUNJAB" (PDF).
  27. ↑ "LITERACY RATE, ENROLMENT AND OUT OF SCHOOL POPULATION BY SEX AND RURAL/URBAN, CENSUS-2023" (PDF).
  28. ↑ Sana Jamal (19 February 2018). "Baba Farid: Where Imran Khan and Bushra Maneka found each other". Gulf News (World Asia) website. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  29. ↑ "Younis Iqbal". Front Line Defenders. 20 April 2018. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
  30. ↑ "ASIA/PAKISTAN - Appointment of the Bishop of Faisalabad". Agenzia Fides website. Archived from the original on 4 July 2019. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  31. ↑ "Muhammad Tayyab". Google Scholar. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
  32. ↑ "Muhammad Tayyab's Research Profile". ResearchGate. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
  33. ↑ Tayyab, Muhammad; Islam, Waqar; Arafat, Yasir; Pang, Ziqin; Zhang, Caifang; Lin, Yuxuan; Waqas, Muhammad; Lin, Sheng; Lin, Wenxiong; Zhang, Hua (14 July 2018). "Effect of Sugarcane Straw and Goat Manure on Soil Nutrient Transformation and Bacterial Communities". Sustainability. 10 (7). MDPI AG: 2361. doi:10.3390/su10072361. ISSN 2071-1050.

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