Kohat

Kohat (Urdu: کوہاٹ) is a town in central North West Frontier Province in Pakistan. Kohat is the capital of Kohat District. The town contains a British-era fort with a pool, a Pashtun bazaar, the tomb of the Sufi teacher Haji Bahadar Ali Abdullah Shah, a mosque and a school. The Narrow Gauge Railway runs through the town. Until the abolition of the divisions of Pakistan it was the capital of Kohat Division. To the north of Kohat lies the Kohat Pass.

History

The early history of the district is limited to the vaguest traditions. It is said that in the Buddhist times, two Rajas named Adh and Kohat settled alongwith the northern border of the district. The remnants of the Buddhist day is a road cut off the mountain side, on the western skirts of the Jawaki hills near Kotal Post which leads by an even gradient towards the crest. The first historical mention of Kohat is to be found in the memoirs of Emperor Babar who visited Kohat in I 1505 AD. Babar in his memoirs calls the inhabitants of the area as Afghan. After Babar the history of Kohat revolves around two major tribes namely Bangash and Khattak. These people appear to have settled in the district, during 14th am 15th centuries. From 16th to 18th centuries, Kohat remained as a part of Afghanistan Kingdom, administered by the Chiefs of two afore mentioned tribes. In the beginning of 19th century Kohat came under the control of Sikhs who ultimately withdrew leaving to the administrative control of Khan of Teri in 1836 AD. Kohat was finally annexed to the British dominion on 28th March 1849 with the rest of Punjab and an Assistant Commissioner was posted here to run the administration and to look after the British interests. In the initial stages of the British administration, the locals of the area posed considerable problems. Later on some of the tribe joined with the British Government and helped them in running the affairs of the ar smoothly. Nevertheless, the Britishers were never at peace in this part of their Kingdom as resistance and opposition always cropped from one quarter or the other. But their tactics of "Divide and Rule" ultimately strengthened their hold over the region. They put one tribe against the other by giving preference to one against the other and finally succeeded in administration them. An example of British un-rest in this area is the event of the brave Afridi Ajab Khan, who forced to surrender the entire British administration of the district against his demands. Ethnicity and Tribes The major tribes are Bangash and Khattak along with Syyed, Awan, Shinwari, Sheikhan and Paracha which form the part of the population of the district. In addition to the above the Afridis from Darra have settled in Babri Banda and the Orakzai Wazir in the adjacent areas of Kohat and Tanda dam. A good number of Indian Refugees, Afghan refugees and Behari repatriates from Bangladesh have settled in Kohat. The major tribes in Frontier Region Kohat are Zarghum Khel , Akhurwal , Sheraki , Toor Chappar and Bosti Khel. Pushto is the predominant language while Hindku is mostly spoken and understood in Kohat city and adjacent areas. Sects The population of Kohat district is predominantly sunni. Between sixty to seventy thousands shias are also settled in the district and they stretch from Chikarkot to Kachai (i.e. southern border of Kohat). A large number of Christian families most of whom are employees of Municipal Committee, Cantonment Board and defence services also reside in Kohat city and Cantonment area. Some scattered families of Hindus also reside in Kohat, Kachai and Marai while a good numbers of Balmiks are employed in various local bodies. These sects are enjoying full religious freedom.

Geography

As mentioned in the history, in the Buddhist times, two Rajas namely Adh and Kohat settled along the northern border of the district. Raja Kohat gave his name to the town of Kohat and Raja Adh to the fort, the ruins of which are found on the hill side north of Muhammadzai, a village 6 kilometers to the west of Kohat. Another version about this name is that it is a combination of two words, "Koh and Hat" meaning mountain market i.e. a bazar situated in the mountain.

The district lies between 33° - 04’ and 33° - 34’ north latitudes and 70° - 29’ and 72° - 01' east longitudes. It is bounded on the north by Orakzai agency, tribal areas adjoining Kohat, Peshawar and Nowshera districts, on the east by Attock district of the Punjab province, on the south by Mianwali district of the Punjab province and Karak district and on the west by Hangu district and Orakzai agency of FATA.

The total area of the district is 2545 square kilometers.

Physical features/Topography

The topography of the district is dominated by the mountains and hills. In the northwest of the district the important ranges include lower Miranzai and Bangash, which run in an eastwest direction. Further in the south is Kamar -Tanda. The height of these ranges varies from 650 to 1000 meters above the sea level. In the northeast the Sowaki and Adan Khel hills run in a southwest -northeast direction. These hills gradually rise in the extreme northeastern part of the district. The intervening open valleys between the hills are seldom more than eight kilometers in width. The Kohat valley is most important agriculturally rich area. Generally, the district is elevated and the ranges attain only inconsiderable heights above the plain area. The headquarter town of Kohat is more than 550 meters above the sea level.

Rivers and Streams

The river Indus forms the eastern boundary of the district, which separates it from the province of Punjab. Kohat Toi is a principal stream, which enters from Hangu district and flowing to east and southeast, drains into river Indus. The river has a small perennial flow, which disappears before it reaches the town of Kohat, it reappears again at some distance down stream and then flows continuously to the Indus. The Kohat Toi has several small torrents or tributaries, which join it at different places. Another, stream Teri Toi, which flows from west to east, in the southern half of the district, joins the river Indus. The river has a tittle or no perennial flow.

Climate

The climate of the district is hot from May to September. June is the hottest month. The mean, maximum and minimum temperature recorded during June is about 40° C and 27° C respectively. A pleasant change in the weather is noted from October onwards, up till February. The winter is cold and severe. In winter a wrong west wind known as '`Hangu Breeze" often blows down the Miranzai valley towards Kohat for weeks. The mean maximum and minimum temperature, recorded during the month of January, is about 18° C and 6" C respectively.

The rainfall is received throughout the year. The monsoon rain is received from May to October. August is the rainiest month, with an average of about 111 mm. The winter rain occurs from November to April. The highest winter rainfall is received in the month of March. The average annual rainfall is about 546 mm. The maximum humidity has been recorded in the month of August during summer season and in December during the winter season.

Flora

The common trees are ber, gurgulla, sanatha, phulal, olea etc. All kind of roses, bougain villea, kashmalo, gul-e-nargis, gui-e-dawoodi and other seasonal flowers are planted and sown in the district.

Fauna

The common wild life found in the district is hare, jackal, wolf, fox, wild cat, chakor, black partridge, grey partridge, urial, chinkara, blue bull, hogdeer, water fowl, see-see etc.

Economy

The economy is based on the following:

INDUSTRY AND TRADE

As far as industrial development is concerned Kohat is comparatively lacking behind the rest of the country. Special incentives need to be given to uplift the pace of industrial development in this region.

INDUSTRIAL UNITS, KOHAT DISTRICT

S# Particulars Number

1. Textile units 3

2. Cement 1

3. Ghee units 1 (closed)

4. Arms 3

5. Flour mills 3

6. Cement based insdustry 3

7. Carpet 1

8. Dal factory 2

9. Mineral based industry 1

10. Ice factory 6

Small Industrial Estate Kohat

11. Ice factory 1

12. Wood 2

13. Paper and paper board 1

Apart from the above, a small industrial estate also exists at Doaba road Kohat where the industries are being established at a very slow pace.

Communication

There is a total of 372 kilometers of metalled roads in the district. Indus highway passes through the district. Some of the main roads include (i) Kohat Khushal Garh road (ii) Kohat Hangu road (iii) Kohat Dhoda Guddi road (iv) Jata Shakardara road.

The people of the district were longing for tunnel at the Kotal hills. Owing to the genuine demand of the people the Government has recently sanctioned a huge amount for this project, benefiting all the southern districts. The work has already been started. The following are some salient features of the project.

Total project cost 6626.75 millions

Total length of approached road 29.8 kilometers

Length of north section 7.7 kilometers

Length of south section 22.20 kilometers

Length of tunnel 1.89 kilometers

Width of tunnel 10.3 meters

Black topped 7.3 meters

Shoulders 3.0 meters

Time of completion 48 month

Source: Highway Authority, Kohat, 1999

A total number of telephones in the district upto November 1998 are 11,200. There are 15 exchanges and 71 Public Call Offices. The main exchange is situated at the district headquarter.

There is one general post office and 30 sub post offices while 60 branches of sub/post offices are working in the rural areas.

Trade and trade centers

The following are the trade centers in Kohat district from where the inhabitants of vicinity meet their day to day requirement. The items like fruit, mazri, textile yarn and mineral bases etc. are also exported to other parts of the country.

Kohat It is the district headquarter and big marketing center of different items like fruit, textile yarn and daily use commodities for the locals and as well as inhabitants of whole the district.

Billitang It is known as a center of mazri products.

Lachi A considerable quantity of vegetables are produced here and also marketed outside.

Mining No authentic data about the geology of Kohat is available. However, available information indicates that the northern hills of the district are of limestone while the southern hills consist of limestone and nummulitic hard rocks of gypsum series. The bulk of strata, however, consist of sandstone. According to Directorate of industries Mineral Wing Government of NWFP (1998-99) the production of gypsum in the district is 35138 tones per month.

Agriculture

The major crops grown in the district are wheat, maize, chari and sugarcane.

Irrigation

Provision of adequate and dependable source of irrigation water, is essential for the economic and social uplift of the area. In Kohat district only 25 percent of the total cultivated area is irrigated. The main source of irrigation is Tanda dam canal irrigation system, which covers approximately 29000 acres of land. While two small dams Kandar and Darwezai covers approximately 2500 acres. Furthermore, Chanda Fateh Khan and Gandiali dams are being constructed by the Small Dams Department.

Apart from that there are a number of tube wells and civil channels which supply water for irrigation purposes.

Forestry

At present about 2.5 percent of the total land is under forest. Mostly forests are sub-tropical scrub forests with major species like acacia, olea cuspidate etc.

Horticulture

Guava is the major fruit of the area and Kohat is famous for its quality and taste. This fruit gives very high return to the farmers. Other fruits are apricot, mulberry, citrus etc.

Garlic and ladyfinger are the leading vegetables, which give maximum income to the farmer. Other vegetables grown in the district are onion, potato, bringel, turnip, carrot, tomato and chilies among others.

The Government of NWFP has established Fruits and Vegetables Development Board (FVDB) with the objective to promote fruit and vegetables in the province. There is one fruit and vegetable development farm in the district in which fruit plants of different kinds are raised and distributed in orchard growers/farmers at reasonable rates.

Farmers have also established private fruit nurseries in their farms specially guava. These plants are sold to those who are interested.

Livestock and Dairy Development

The Livestock and Dairy Development aims at conservation of livestock wealth and endeavors to improve the productive capabilities of livestock including poultry through animal health coverage/artificial insemination services, feed and fodder improvement programs by the technical staff located throughout the district.

The local cattle breeds available in Kohat are Lohani Dani and mix breeds, which are non-productive, are being changed by artificial insemination with Frezien breed to improve milk/meat production. Similarly the local goat are being crossed with the Beetal goats to increase their milk/mutton production.

Under rural improvement of poultry programs, the local poultry is being protected against various diseases through preventive inoculation and the poultry is crossed with Faumy breeds to improve the eggs production. One thousand eight hundred and twenty eight poultry units have been distributed to the interested breeder under Barani Area Development Project.

Upto the last year 1997-98, the livestock department hasinoculated 511 Beetal goats unit and 75 Waziri sheep unit with interested breeder to improve the genetic potential of the local breed to achieve more milk/mutton production which help to raise the income of rural farmers under Barani Area Development Project.

Administration

DIG Police : Abdul Majeed Khan Marwat

District Mayor: Seth Gohar Saifullah

Transport

Much of the transport is privately operated within the city limits. There are also many buses that pass through the city via the Indus Highway. Most going to Peshawar and running between Bannu, D.I. Khan, Islamabad and rest of Pakistan. The railway line is operated between Kohat and Rawal Pindi only.

Utility services

The city is facilitated with two dams; Tanda Dam and Gandiali Dam. The former is located in the SW of the city and the later is located in the SE. Moreover , the city is giving a good friendship symbol between Japan and Pakistan by having a 1.8km long tunnel constructed by TAISIE CORPORATION JAPAN.

Demographics

Majority of the population of Kohat is Ethnic Pashtun followed by a minority Hindko peoples living in Central Kohat.

People and culture

Majority of the population of Kohat is Ethnic Pashtun followed by a minority Hindko peoples living in Central Kohat and area of Bazadi Chakarchot.

The people of Kohat are mostly conservative, though modernization has been accepted moderately. They still believe in the age-long veneration for certain families due to the piety of such families and the service they have rendered for the society in general and religion in particular. Some of the famous families include Parachas, Qazis, Banuris and Mian Khels.

Media

Radio Pakistan FM94 MHz

Education

Kohat is home to the following educational Institutions:

High Schools

Colleges and Universities

Cities and towns in North-West Frontier Province | Kohat District