Okara | |
Settlement Type: | City |
Mapsize: | 150px |
Pushpin Map: | Punjab Pakistan#Pakistan |
Subdivision Type: | Country |
Subdivision Type1: | Province |
Subdivision Name1: | Punjab |
Subdivision Type2: | Division |
Subdivision Name2: | Sahiwal |
Subdivision Type3: | District |
Subdivision Name3: | Okara |
Population Total: | 357935 |
Population Rank: | 25th, Pakistan |
Total Type: | City |
Population As Of: | 2017 |
Population Footnotes: | [1] |
Area Metro Km2: | 4377 |
Area Footnotes: | [2] |
Elevation M: | 105 |
Population Density Km2: | auto |
Leader Title: | Deputy Commissioner |
Leader Name: | Doctor Zeeshan Hanif[3] |
Blank Name Sec2: | Number of Union councils |
Blank Info Sec2: | 140[4] |
Postal Code Type: | Postal code |
Postal Code: | 56300 |
Area Code: | 044 |
Area Code Type: | Area code |
Timezone1: | PST |
Utc Offset1: | +5 |
Blank Name: | Highways |
Okara (Punjabi, Urdu: {{Nastaliq|اوکاڑہ), is the capital city of Okara District in the Punjab province of Pakistan.[5] The name Okara is derived from Okaan, which is the name of a type of tree.[2] [6] In ancient times there were a large number of Okaan trees, which is why the area was named Okara. It is the 23rd largest city of Pakistan by population.[7] The city is located southwest of the city of Lahore and Faisalabad is 100 km bypassing the Ravi River. It is known for its agriculture-based economy and cotton mills. The nearest major city to Okara is Sahiwal, which was formerly known as Montgomery. Kasur is also located in the east of the city. Pakistan military dairy farms, known for their cheese, are situated in Okara. Pul Dhool, located near Abdulla Sugar Mill, is a town in the Okara district. Pul Dhool is on Hujra Chunian road. It is 9km from Shah Muqeem and 17km from Chunian.These farms were established before the creation of Pakistan in 1947.
The climate of Okara is usually warm and dry. The coldest months are December to February, when temperatures may drop to, with moderate rainfall. The hottest months are May to July, when temperatures may reach . The annual average rainfall in the city is approximately .[2]
Okara is a relatively new agricultural city. During the period of British rule there was a forest of Okaan where the city has been rebuilt, and from this, the name of the city was derived.[2] During British rule, the area was part of Montgomery District and contained a large saltpeter refinery.[8] There are many textile mills in Okara. The predominantly Muslim population supported the Muslim League and the Pakistan Movement. After the independence of Pakistan in 1947 the Muslim refugees settled in the Okara District. In 1982, the city became the headquarters of the newly created Okara District. Okara has had a railway line since 1892.
Okara is 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. Livestock Production Research Institute Bahadar Nagar Farm is a very large government farm near Okara. The farm has many cows, buffalo, bulls (for reproduction), goats, and sheep.
The city of Okara serves as district and tehsil capital and is itself administratively subdivided into ten Union councils.[5]
Political leaders
+ style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 0.5em" | Population trends | ||
1981. | 1998. | 2006. | |
---|---|---|---|
127.455[13] | 200.901 | 226.326 |
Punjabi is the most widely spoken language in Okara, with almost 95 percent of the population identifying it as their first language. The main Punjabi dialects in the area are Majhi and Jhangvi
Islam is the most followed religion in Okara.