Khewra, Jhelum Explained

Khewra
Settlement Type:city
Seal Size:250px
Nickname:Kingdom of Salt, The City of SALTIANS, A Land of Peace
Motto:To Spread the Message of Peace
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Pakistan
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Pakistan
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Name1:Punjab
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Name2:Jhelum
Subdivision Type3:Tehsil
Subdivision Name3:Pind Dadan Khan
Subdivision Type4:Tourist attraction
Subdivision Name4:Khewra Salt Mine
Established Title:Union Councils
Seat Type:Founded
Seat:14 March 1876
Parts Type:Subdivisions
Parts Style:list
P1:22 Wards
P2:30 Maher (Gang-man's)
Leader Title:Tribal Chief
Leader Name:Muhammad Sufyan
Leader Title1:Chairman
Leader Name1:Maher Farooq Hussnain Nazar (UC-I)
Leader Title2:Chairman
Leader Name2:Maher jaffar Ali jaffri (UC-II)
Leader Title3:Founder of Khewra Salt Mine
Leader Name3:Great Alexander
Leader Title4:Tribes
Leader Name4:Paracha, Awan,Janjua Rajput, Khokhar, Mirza, Malik, Jotania, Phaphra, Mughal
Elevation M:277.48
Elevation Ft:910.36
Population Total:80,000
Population Demonym:Saltian
Timezone:PST
Utc Offset:+5
Postal Code Type:Postal Code
Postal Code:49060
Area Code:0544

Khewra is the second most populated city of Jhelum District and the neighbor city of Pind Dadan Khan in Jhelum District, Punjab, Pakistan.[1] The city is administratively subdivided into two union councils[1] and is the location of the Khewra Salt Mine. The population of Khewra city is about 35,000 (or 80,000).

Khewra City is also known as "The Kingdom of Salt" because of its rock salt which is 98% pure and natural source of salt in Pakistan. Khewra Salt Mine is the second largest salt mine in the world.

Tourism

Khewra City was established in 1876 with the support of the British Army who occupied on the Land of Khewra before 1947. Janjua Rajputs tribe was the founder of Khewra.

Khewra Salt Mine was reopened in 1872 by a local family of Janjua Rajputs, after the British had wrested control from the Sikhs.[2] Since 2002, the main tunnel of the mine has been converted into a tourist attraction. Some websites claim 35000-40000 visitors come here every year. In 2003 a major restoration work was carried out at the mines to make it a tourist destination. Decorative light-work was done and some of the salt crystals found here are translucent, meaning while it absorbs some light, some light pasts through them.[3] Depending upon the thickness (among other properties), the salt rock glows when lit in many different shades. The tourist attractions inside the mine include Assembly Hall, Pul-saraat, indoor brine ponds, Badshahi Mosque, Sheesh Mahal, Crystal Valley, Minar-E-Pakistan, Narrow Gauge Electric Railway, Pakistan Post Office, salt crystal formations and old mining machinery.

The valley is almost entirely populated by the Khewra's community in between high mountains.

Metha Patan Valley is a destination for trekking and hill walking. Metha Patan has a natural waterfall which provides sufficient water to Khewra City. It attracts tourists because of its natural environment. Metha Patan Valley has a potential for mountaineering and rock climbing.

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.nrb.gov.pk/lg_election/union.asp?district=12&dn=Jhelum Tehsils & Unions in the District of Jhelum – Government of Pakistan
  2. Book: Sarina Singh . Lindsay Brown . Lindsay Brown . Rodney Cocks . John Mock . Lonely Planet Pakistan and the Karakoram Highway . 3 April 2012 . 7th. 1 May 2008 . Lonely Planet . 978-1-74104-542-0 . 138.
  3. "Description: Nice specimen of translucent grey white cubes of halite" Web site: Gallery: Jhelum District, Punjab Province, Pakistan . MinDat .