Khanpur

Khanpur (Urdu: خانپور) is a city and Tehsil of the Rahim Yar Khan District of Bahawalpur Division, in the Punjab Province of Pakistan. It is situated at the 28.650 Latitude and 70.650 Longitude. According to the census of 1998, the city population was 117,764 with an annual growth rate of 2.6%. As of in 2009, it is around 156,152.

The city is agriculturally an economic infux as a centre for sugarcane and cotton crops. It is one of the largest Tehsil of the Rahim Yar Khan District, in terms of its area. The famous Cholistan Desert is mainly located in the Khanpur area. There are many Places in Pakistan, named as Khanpur, But only two of them have the status of Tehsil, and the other One is in NWFP. Khanpur Is also known as Khanpur Katoora and also a strong candidate of becoming a District, as it had the status of District in British Era till 1938.

Khanpur is also known as Khanpur Katora; The Urdu word “Katora” is defined as the English word for bowl. This name is used as a common term because Khanpur has had a long history of producing clay bowls.

History

Khanpur had the status of district headquarters in British Era till 1938. but later on this status was given to the city of Rahim Yar Khan. Khanpur (Khanpur Katoora) is one of the oldest cities of the Punjab. Its old large market areas and Bazaar are clear evidence of the old saga of this city. Its long adjoining Shahi Road leads to many cities such as Rahim Yar Khan on one side and Liaquat Pur and Bahawalpur on the other side. In the old times khanpur is famous for its bowl makers.

Landmarks

Dhareja Naggar,Sikandarabad Moza Lallowala,,Madinah Town, Riaz Town,Model Town,Satellite Town, Sadat colony,Aktar abadh,Rehman Colony,Jinnah Town, Din Pur Sharif, Mohsin Street (old city), Mouza Kot Shahan, Fatha Pur Kamal, Mouza Langi War, Chacharan Sharif, Mouza Jhoran.

Sports

Cricket

Sport is widely played in the city, and the community of the city thoroughly enjoys sport as an enjoyable alternative in terms of recreation. The city is home to many talented cricketers of Pakistan who have achieved high levels and later gone on to represent national first-class teams as well as top state-wide clubs. The city once used to host a large cricket ground, which was generally maintained by the Mayor of the city and the town committee as well as prominent members of the city community. However, the municipality later demolished the ground and constructed a central park, much to the dismay of some people and their demands.

The major Cricket Clubs are in Khanpur Matchless Cricket Club founded in 1977 by Famous “Bukhari Brothers”. Syed Tauqeer Akmal Bukhari currently in Forest Department Captained the club for a long period, after that Tauheed Akmal Bukhari were the most stylish batsman of the city and played at Divisonal level cricket. Then from two younger brothers Naveed Akmal who played U19 at District level and Tauseef Bukhari who took the charge of Captaincy of Matchless cricket club for long period.

Tauseef Bukhari represented Bahawalpur Division in Wills Cup 1998. Later he moved to Hong Kong and achieved another honor to become Team Manager of Hong Kong U19 Cricket team in ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2010 in New Zealand. Labana cricke Club is one of the most popular cricket club among the cit of the khanpur.