Pindigheb Explained

Pindigheb
Native Name Lang:ur
Settlement Type:City
Pushpin Map:Punjab Pakistan#Pakistan
Pushpin Label Position:top
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Punjab, Pakistan
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Pakistan
Subdivision Type1:Province
Subdivision Name1:Punjab
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Name2:Attock
Subdivision Type3:Tehsil
Subdivision Name3:Pindi Gheb
Subdivision Type4:Region
Subdivision Name4:Pothohar
Unit Pref:Metric
Elevation M:310
Population Density Km2:auto
Timezone1:PST
Utc Offset1:+5
Utc Offset1 Dst:+6
Postal Code:63260
Area Code:0572

Pindigheb (or Pindi Gheb) (Panjabi; Punjabi: {{Nastaliq|پنڈی گھیب), is a town in Punjab province Pakistan and seat of Pindi Gheb Tehsil (an administrative subdivision) of Attock District.[1] Western route of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passes through Pindigheb.

History

The Imperial Gazetteer of India, compiled over a century ago during British rule, described the town as follows: Pindi Gheb Town - Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 20, p. 147.

In 997 CE, Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi, took over the Ghaznavid dynasty empire established by his father, Sultan Sebuktegin, In 1005 he conquered the Shahis in Kabul in 1005, and followed it by the conquests of Punjab region. The Delhi Sultanate and later Mughal Empire ruled the region. The Punjab region became predominantly Muslim due to missionary Sufi saints whose dargahs dot the landscape of Punjab region.

After the decline of the Mughal Empire, the Sikh invaded and occupied Attock District. The Muslims faced severe restrictions during the Sikh rule . During the period of British rule, Attock District increased in population and importance.

The predominantly Muslim population supported Muslim League and Pakistan Movement. After the independence of Pakistan in 1947.The name of incumbent Assistant Commissioner of Pindi Gheb sub division is Ijaz Abdul Karim.

Present Day

Pindi Gheb is an important region of trade and acts as an important terminal for the mega highway CPEC. The main economy of Pindi Gheb revolves around agriculture and cattle. The towns local government, however, according to local residents has failed numerous times to provide the town with any real infrastructural or educational developments. The relative population of the town still remains poor with low-grade roads and bridges. Contrary to such statements, some of the richest families in Northern Punjab come from Pindi Gheb, with them owning thousands of acres of lands, huge properties both abroad and in urban centers in Pakistan, heavy presence in the industrial sector and close affiliation with people affiliated with the military and government. However, recently many reforms were passed by the government of Punjab to commence energy and road projects in Attock, including Pindi Gheb. There are many monuments present in Pindi Gheb from the Sikh and British eras which can be visited free of cost. There is also a waterfall nearby known to harbor a rare species of fish. The area is known to be relatively safe as it is included in the zone of "Act for the Super fortification for the North West Districts of Punjab" which is done with the use of Attock fort, known to be located close by. Pindi Gheb can today be visited by the CPEC, or 8 local roads that lead towards the city through other paths inside of Attock.

Language

As with the rest of Pakistan, Urdu has official status. However, the language variety spoken natively in the area is Ghebi – a Hindko dialect that is closely related to Chacchi and Awankari.

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. http://www.nrb.gov.pk/lg_election/union.asp?district=2&dn=Attock Tehsils & Unions in the District of Attock – Government of Pakistan