Country Pakistan Local time Wednesday 6:55 AM | Time zone PST (UTC+5) Province Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | |
District Dera Ismail Khan District Weather 19°C, Wind N at 13 km/h, 54% Humidity | ||
Paniala green valley
Paniala is a small town located in the north of district D.I.Khan of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa about 55 km away from D I Khan and approx 300 km from provincial capital Peshawar. The Link Road (also known as Gilloti Road) from main Indus Highway (Peshawar Road) that connects with Paniala is of about 18 km. It is a submontane settlement and one of the oldest in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province in Pakistan.
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Map of Paniala, Pakistan
The name Paniala originated from "Panjh Naala", which means 5 Naalas, stemming from Oobo Sir (in Pashto), which means "head of water", and then combines into one form. The water is then supplied to whole of the village and nearby towns for feeding and cultivating the fields. And then from passage of time the name Panjh Naala changed into Paniala.
Another origin of the name Paniala is attributed to the meaning of combination of Urdu words, pani and wala. Pani wala thus meant "a place with water". This was the only oasis town in the surrounding desert area of about 30 km radius where even drinking water was not available to the population around, and the habitat around would fetch drinking water from the natural fountains/springs and KAREZs of Paniala. Thus the name Pani wala became Paniala with the passage of time. Water is, nonetheless, still supplied to numerous villages on the east, west and south from Paniala even now through pipelines, though.
The green grassland comprises sandy area and a population of 120,000 citizens. The inhabitant comprises Marwats, Khels, Hashmis and Qureshis. The local language spoken is Pashto with soft and sweet dialect. The prominent shrine of Haji Baba and two important graves of Sahabis (RA) are also situated.
Famous fruits of the town are Mangoes and Dates. "Dhakki" is one of the famous and delicious amongst all dates and is a major part of export.
The famous nearby picnic spots are TOY (a natural water resort and play ground)and the mountainous hilly region of Sheikh Badin that comprises lush green forest, an old nonfunctioning post office and police station of British time.
Tribes
The main tribe is the Pathans and its subtribes are: SAIN KHEL, Achackzai Durani, Siraj Khel, Malana, Mehmood Khel, Mala Khel, Mansoor Khel, Hassan Khel, Madda Khel, Masti Khel(many of them had migrated to other cities i.e. Bhakkar), Qalander Khel, Shadi Khel, Dhedi, Mumrez Khel, karaki Khel, Sangher khel, Syed, Mada Khel, Changa Khel, Quresh, Kundi,Baloch, Utta Khel, Sharbi Khel, Merwan Khel, Sharqi Khel, Mehmand,Zargar, sheikh, Slemi Khel and Ira Khel etc.Actually, all these tribes are the extensions of Blach Pathans which is partially different from Marwat tribe.
Facilities
Paniala town is facilitated with a Government Hospital, a Degree College for male and high schools for both male and female. There are Five private institutions, Al-Hira Model High School, Pakistan Campus School & College, Muslim Public High School ,City Grammar School and Paniala Science School & College. There are 3 primary schools for boys and 3 primary schools for girls. A post office, a bank HBL(Habib Bank Limited), an agriculture office and lari ada are also in Paniala. There is one football stadium & many popular football clubs in Paniala, which born many talented players like Jaffar Khan Captain Pakistan National Football Team.
Places
The town has many scenic places in the surrounding peaks and the town is also famous for the Shrine of Haji Baba. Mazarate Saadat and mansoor khel's are at the top of a little mountain. Kot Ghundi is also a place form where a greatest scene of Paniala can be looked. Toy is a place where young, old and little kids play after noon daily. Ubo Sar is a place from where water are flowing beside the town. Kach Jaroba Sagi Kot Ghundi, Hasini Wala, Tora Ghundi, Speenay Ghari, Jalar, Pahle, are best places for photography. Paniala town is surrounded by layers of mango and date farms; these gardens are irrigated through natural streams called Karez. The inhabitants of Paniala have large land holdings in the area, which are arid.