Topi (town)

Topi is in eastern Swabi District of the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan. It is the birthplace of Nawab Sir Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum Khan, who was a pioneer of modern education in the Province. He founded Islamia College in 1913 and Government High School in 1935 and also donated land for the establishment of these educational institutes. Topi is located west of the Tarbela Dam, the world's largest earth filled dam. Tarbela Dam is also the largest hydroelectric generation project in Pakistan, producing 3400 mega watts of electricity.

Topi and the villages Kotha, Maini and Batakara constitute "Uthman". Uthman is the branch of the famous Yousafzai tribe. The town of Topi became well known after the Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology (GIKI), named after (Ghulam Ishaq Khan), a former President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, was established here.

ubdivision and politics

Topi is split between two union councils, Topi (East) and Topi (West). Topi is further divided into Alizo, Akazo and Kanazo. Alizo comprises Mohalla Booba Khel, Punj Paw, Ismail Khel and Suma Khel. Akazo is composed of Mohalla Urh Ibrahim, Khadar Khan Khel, Painda Khel, Sabi Khel, Pir Azgi and Niki Khel. Kanazo comprises Mohalla Musa Khel, Mohalla Awan, Musa Khell Merro, Bara Khel, Sana Khel and Ghulam & Muhammad Khan Khel.

The chief organizer of the Peoples Youth Organization of PPPP is Muhammad Shafiq Akhunzada. Gul Hayat Khan is the Nazim and Saleem Javed is the Naib Nazim of the Union Council Topi East while Humayun Khan is the Nazim and Muhammad Nawaz is the Naib Nazim of Union Council Topi West. The president of the Pakistan Peoples Party Swabi District is Haji Munfa'at Khan also belongs to Topi. The president of the Awami National Party of Topi (East) is Mir Ghulam Awan.

People

Topi is a big business centre for the nearby villages including Marghuz, Zaida, Swabi, Gadoon and Amazai areas. Most of the people have their own business whereas members of the educated community work in the public and private sectors. A large number of people work abroad. About 20 percent of its population have come from other parts of the Swabi district or N-W.F.P. province in for work. In 2006, Topi became a Tehsil - which is an administrative subdivision of a district.

Religious scholars

Topi has created religious scholars like Molana Bacha Gul (Fazle Ameen) and Molana Gulfam Shah who made peace amongst the residents. They preach the teachings of Islam in this locality.

ocial sector

The Khan of Topi was Sahib Khan Mohammed Omer Khan, who served his people and was honored as member legislative assembly N.W.F.P. and a very close ally of Quaid Azam Mohammed ali Jinnah. He played a vital role in the plebiscite of 1947 in favor of Pakistan. He was also declared an Honorary Colonel of Pakistan Army by Field Marshall Mohammed Ayub Khan. He donated the 14 Acre Eid Gah on main Tarbella Raod. Khan Sahib donated land for the local Police Station. Khan Sahib also donated land for several mosques.

Muhammad Rafiq Akhunzada, former General Secretary, Pakistan Peoples Party and dedicated social worker helped expand the town's infrastructure. These projects made Topi prosperous which also paved the way for job creation for the youth. Mr. Muhammad Rafiq helped hundreds of people as employees at various factories at the initial stage. Gadoon Amazai Industrial Estate was established as an alternative source of employment to poppy cultivation in the Gadoon area by the government with the help of US Aid. In 1988, the Gadoon Amazai Industrial Estate had 400 units. Now only 20 of its units are functional.

Education Sector

There is a Government High School for boys and one for for girls. There are also some private sector School.

ports

Cricket, badminton and football are favourite games of its youth. One can not go without being entertained by the local cultural game, "Makha" which is played by the farmers at the end of April and start of May after harvesting the wheat crops each year. Makha is the traditional game of Swabi, in which different villages compete against one another. Makha is kind of shooting using a bow and arrow with a relatively large stick and instead of a tip, it has a flat dish-shaped head called Tobray.

Hotels

There is a four star hotel in Topi, Mahaban Hotel, named after the famous mountain Mahaban. Standard boarding and lodging facilities are available in this Hotel.

Transport

People from far and near always complain about the narrow road in the main market and the sub-standard material used in the construction of this road. The historic city also has poor drainage, which hastens the deterioration of the main road.