Bahawalpur City Tehsil
Bahawalpur City Tehsil
تحصیل بہاولپور سٹی | |
|---|---|
Interactive map of Bahawalpur City Tehsil | |
| Coordinates: 29°23′44″N 71°41′01″E / 29.39556°N 71.68361°E | |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Province | Punjab |
| District | Bahawalpur District |
| Division | Bahawalpur Division |
| Headquarters | Bahawalpur |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,490 km2 (580 sq mi) |
| Population (2023)[1] | |
• Total | 815,202 |
| • Density | 547.1/km2 (1,417/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+5 (PST) |
Bahawalpur City Tehsil (Urdu: تحصیل بہاولپور سٹی) is an administrative subdivision (tehsil) of Bahawalpur District in the Bahawalpur Division of Punjab.[2] It is primarily an urban tehsil encompassing the historic city of Bahawalpur and its immediate municipal surroundings.
History
Historically, the area served as the capital of the Princely State of Bahawalpur, ruled by the Abbasi Nawabs. Following the administrative reforms in 2005, the former Tehsil Bahawalpur was bifurcated into two distinct units: **Bahawalpur City Tehsil** (urban-centric) and Bahawalpur Saddar Tehsil (rural-centric).[3]
Geography
The tehsil covers an area of 1,490 square kilometres (580 sq mi). It is situated on the south bank of the Sutlej River and serves as a transitional zone between the fertile alluvial plains of Punjab and the Cholistan Desert. The climate is arid, with hot summers and mild winters.[4]
Demographics
According to the 2023 Census of Pakistan, Bahawalpur City Tehsil has a population of 815,202.[1] The population is overwhelmingly urban.
- Languages: Saraiki is the most widely spoken native language (approx. 60%), followed by Punjabi and Urdu.
- Religion: Over 98% of the population follows Islam, with small Christian and Hindu minorities.
Administration
The tehsil is a subdivision of the Bahawalpur District and is administered by a Tehsildar and a Metropolitan Corporation. It is divided into 21 Urban Union Councils.[5]
Economy
Bahawalpur City Tehsil is a major commercial and educational hub. Key economic sectors include:
- Education and Services: Home to Islamia University and Quaid-e-Azam Medical College.
- Industry: Cotton ginning, flour mills, and textile handicrafts (embroidery and carpets).
- Trade: A central market for agricultural produce from the surrounding district, including wheat, cotton, and sugarcane.
References
- ^ a b "7th Population and Housing Census - 2023: Punjab Provincial Report" (PDF). Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 2026-01-21.
- ^ "List of Administrative Units 2023". Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 2026-01-21.
- ^ "PCIIP Cities Profile: Bahawalpur". The Urban Unit, Punjab. Retrieved 2026-01-21.
- ^ "Bahawalpur". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2026-01-21.
- ^ "Local Government Bahawalpur". LG&CD Department Punjab. Retrieved 2026-01-21.