Khanpur and Rahimyar Khan by the Cholistan

Former Bawalpur State and potential province

Former State of Bawalpur comprises of 7 cities and towns around Cholistan desert,It is a distinct geographical entity bordered by Sutlej river on North,Sindh on South,Pajnad/Sindh river on West and Cholistan desert and India in the West.Thus it can be made a separate Province of Pakistan.

Jeep rally point

 I visited it first in March 2007 in connection with a Jeep rally across Cholistan stating from Dwarar Fort a formidable fort at edge of desert.We stayed overnight at Sadiqabad the first town when entering from Sindh.The rally with huge participation from all over Pakistan was a resounding success.My friend Feroz participated in the rally.We later stayed one night in very impressive city of Bawalpur which is also one of the biggest garrison of Pakistan and former Capital of State.

Khanpur and Rahimyar Khan by the Cholistan

In  Oct 2014, I found time to visit Khanpur and Rahimyar Khan two towns after Sadiqabad and before Bawalpur.

I stayed two nights in Khanpur and explored the town and desert around.Just 10km away from town center the desert start in earnest.The last village called Bagh or Bahar had  lush green farms and orchids thanks to Canal water in abundance following floods.

Significance of Abu Dhabi palaces

Just outside lay most barren and dry desert.I felt I have reached Saudi Arabia or Gulf. It was so because in the middle of desert I found excellent road leading from massive Palaces of Abu Dhabi leading towards depths of Cholistan, India and game reserve where large number of animals are rared for hunting. 

I was told that presence of Arabs in the Area is great blessings as they have provided much needed jobs in this very poor regions besides providing state of the heart hospitals and educational institutions.

Recent protest by residents of the Area against ban on Hobara hunting is in this background as they fear that Arabs may move away from the Area.

Khanpur A railway town: 

The town of Khanpur is small.It is railway Town in essence as the town entends from the Station.Most of the wholesale markets and retail markets are located within one mile range. Further away is residential Area.

Besides the intercity bus service there is hardly any local transport system.Thus bicycle and trucks are the only choice of moving around.I had to rid a bike to explore the desert and it was not pleasant.

There are hardy any decent hotel in the Town.I was lucky to find room in probably only decent hotel called Lavish.

While the desert is inhabited by normads dominated by Mehar tribe who raise animals near wells in the desert.The town is mostly inhabited by Urdu speaking migrants from India who settled around the railway line.No wonder MQM has significant presence in the Town.

I was told the Abbasi Rulers had brought in educated professionals from UP and Bihar to run his State, thus Urdu speaking people comprise one third population,while Saraki and Punjabi speaking also comprise one third each. 

Rahimyar Khan a Unilever town:

Rahimyar Khan is relatively much bigger town.With number of hotels,parks,theater,but again no internal transport system thus here also motor bike is the only source.

I found a decent hotel in town center.There number of good eating places with lots of beggars around. 

I learnt that a stage drama was going on in of the best theater in town.I went to see the drama cum dance show performed by artists from Lahore. Incidentally the artist of the show were residing in my hotel thus some recognized me sitting in front row.The jam packed show was a great success.

Next day I walked around the markets and suburb upto Airport after Fajar prayer.On the way I walked by the Abbasi canal which irrigates the Area.After the Railway station I came across a huge complex of Uniliver.I was told that this was largest complex of Uniliver in Pakistan due to central location of the town.

In the evening I visited the most popular Park of the town and found it well laid out with lot of fun activity.

The whole sale and retail markets located close to the Railway station seemed very busy doing brisk business.

Like in Khanpur markets seemed to be dominated by Urdu speaking migrants,Thus MQM had a presence here.However town was dominated by PML N.

I left the town by train for Nawabshah.