Kot Adu

Kot Adu is a city of Muzaffargarh District in the Punjab province of Pakistan, the city, which is subdivided into 3 Union Councils, is the capital of Kot Adu tehsil [ [http://www.nrb.gov.pk/lg_election/union.asp?district=22&dn=Muzaffargarh Tehsils & Unions in the District of Muzaffargarh - Government of Pakistan] ] . It is located in the southern part of the province, and is a very historic city. It has a population of over 1 millionFact|date=June 2008, making it the 400th largest city in Pakistan. It is built just east of the Indus River, more or less in the centre of the country, and about 866 km from Karachi, 600 km from Islamabad, 100 km from Multan, 80 km from D.G.Khan, 60 km from Muzzafargarh, 60 km from Layyah and 16km from Taunsa Barrage.

Kot Addu City, being a historic and prosperous city, attracts a number of tourists every year and is known as the 'City of Rivers'.

Location

The city of Kot Adu is located in southern Punjab province and almost at the exact centre of Pakistan. The area around the city is a flat plain and is ideal for agriculture. There are many canals that cross Kot Adu, providing water from nearby rivers. It is extremely hot in the summer.

Language and literature

The majority of Kot Adu's residents are native speakers of the Seraiki language, though being situated in the province of Punjab many people also know Punjabi and the national language, Urdu. The vast majority of the population is Muslim. English is widely understood among the educated. Kot Adu is home to many literary figures and poets who are known throughout the country. The famous lok singer Mr. Pathanay Khan belonged to this city."'Pathanay Khan"'The recurring identification of misery of family of late Pathaney Khan, by the news report in daily Dawn on May 1st 2007, the international day of laborers, may still have not stirred the minds. In this small city of Kot Addu near High School No. 2, where Pathaney Khan has left his assets, consisted of one widow, sons and daughters and some priceless relics like Tabla, Harmonium etc. His fame and audience have crossed the shores of every continent, but no body could know his poor financial condition beyond appreciating his spiritual ‘kaffis’. He claimed that recording company did not pay his royalty in his last days of life. Afterwards, the family of the deceased was helped by very few organizations. Pathaney Khan is famous for singing Sufi poetry of “Baba Bhulley Shah” and “Khawja Ghulam Farid”. Few of his melodies are etched in one’s mind and they penetrate deep into the soul. It’s just not the composition but meaningful poetry of great Sufi writers such as “Meda Ishq Vi Tu, Meda Yar Vi Tu”, “Mera Ranjhan Hun Koi Hor”, “Ghoom Charkhrya Ghoom”.

Few famous names in Urdu literature from Kot Addu are Biaz Khan Sonipati بیاض خان سونی پتی and Niaz Kokab نیاز کوکب. These two were great poet of their era. Biaz Khan Sonipati was master poet of Ghazal. Niaz Kokab was master in Naat (Poetry in praise of Prophet SAW). He was Naat Khwan too. Other names in Urdu literature from this city were Riaz Noor ریاض نور.and Qusim Riaz.Kot Addu is famous for its rich literature. Press club Kot Addu is playing a basic role in the development of literature. From this city four weekly newspapers are being published. Among them are “ Safena-e-Khabar” and its editor is famous journalist Saleem Riaz, second is “Ap ka Dost” and its editor is one of the famous columnist and social worker Muhammad Shahnawaz Khan, the third weekly newspaper is “Awaz-e-Kot Adu" and its editor is Muhammad Tahir Rohani and recently a new newspaper is being published by the name of “Aino kay Shehr main” and its editor is Muhammad Kaleem Zubair Khan.

Buildings and structures

The old city has narrow colourful bazaars full of local handicrafts and narrow winding lanes. There are many places of historical, cultural and recreational interest in the city.

Medical Facilities

Almost all medical facilities are available in Kot Addu but for higher cases patients are referred to Multan.

Educational institutions

Kot Addu is rich as far as schools and educational campuses are concerned. There are many colleges involved in the grooming of students and fulfilling desire of acquiring and distribution of knowledge and education. In last few years, mushroom growth of quality educational institution is observed in this neglected region. But now there are various private commerce collages, schools, academies and cadet collage. The famous private institutes are Ali Cadet Collage, KIMS, The Educators, The Citi School, Lords and Meri Darsgah. The quality and level of schooling is still objective based that mainly revolves around making merit for engineering and doctory and there is less trend towards other fields of arts, sciences and commerce. There are no A-Level and O-Level schools neither the inhabitants have trend to the contemporary studies and this is mainly due to no economic development in the area, which is main stimulus for development in professional studies.

Industry

Kot Addu is a commercial and industrial centre, it is connected by road a rail with Lahore and Karachi, Multan, Islamabad and by air from Multan to Karachi, Quetta, and Faisalabad. Industries include Kot Addu Power Company (KAPCO), Cotton factories; foundries; cotton, woolen and silk textile mills; flour, sugar and oil mills; and a large thermal-power station. It is famous for its handicrafts (Kundar work) and cottage industries. There are hospitals, public gardens, and several colleges affiliated with the University of the Punjab. The University of Multan was established in 1975. Large, irregular suburbs have grown outside the old walled town, and two satellite towns have been set up. Mangoes of Shujabad district are the best in the world. Multani khussa (shoes); embroidered clothes for ladies; embroidered cholas for men; earthenware pottery, painted potter, camel skin ware (e.g. lamps); carpets wooden products, especial lacquered wood.

Agriculture

Kot Addu is an important agricultural, industrial and tourist area. Wheat, cotton and Sugarcane are the main crops grown in the district. Besides, Rice, Maize, Tobacco, Bajra, Moong, Mash, Masoor and Oil Seed such as Rape / Mustard and Sun Flower are also grown in minor quantities in the district.

Fruits such as Mangoes, citrus, guavas and pomegranates are the main grown in the Kot Addu City. Dates, jaman, pears, phalsa and banana are also grown in minor quantities in the district.

References