Sohawa

History

The etymology of the name Sohawa has not been proven, but according to folk etymology the original name was Soo Awa which means "100 furnaces of potters". Sohawa was originally a small village near to Khoraka, after several years of human settlement in these two villages, the original village of Soahwa and Khoraka merged with each other and the present town of Sohawa was formed that contained market of all types. The original village is part of the main town(khoraka) and called "Ward #1" or Purana Sohawa (literally "old Sohawa").Sohawa is well known for its natural beauty and the energetic youth.

Geography

Sohawa is located in north-western part of the district Jhelum, Punjab lies on the subcontinental Grand Trunk Road super highway between Gujar Khan and Dina (Islamabad-Lahore) The geographical coordinates of its weather station are 33° 07' 15" North, 73° 25' 34". One sign of Sohawa is the toll plaza by the name of 'Tarakki' on the Grand Trunk Road. Bazaars of Sohawa attracts people from nearby villages, these bazaars are located both sides of G.T.Road. Major towns or villages of Sohawa Tehsil are Kot Dhamiak, Chak Tareda, Domeli, Lehri, Dewan-e-Hazoori, Bakrala, Dhouk Aamb, Sasral and Daiwal etc.

Sociology

The population mostly consists of different types of tribes. The major profession of people is service in Armed Forces, hence they are generally disciplined and law abiding. A large number of people of Sohawa are settled in foreign countries particularly Western Europe and Middle East. Main source of livelihood of the people is agriculture.

However, due to its semi-arid climate and lack of government planning and implementation, irrigation for cash crops is insufficient even though this region has ample rainfall for storage and harvest of its water resources, is in the approximate middle of two major economic market hubs (Islamabad/Rawalpindi and Lahore) and has ideal terrain for the construction of small dams and irrigation reservoirs required to overcome water shortages. None the less, an exodus of the local population to foreign countries and domestic urban areas in the search of livelihoods as well as better living facilities has caused for most of its civil society to quit the region. Even though many of those take pride in their homeland and visit when possible but the persisting lack of human development institutions and agencies does not allow for permanent residence in the region for those who have become accustomed to urbanized living.

It should also be noted that environmental resources in terms of wildlife (botanical and zoological) and large tracts of uninhabited land can be used for conservation and protection in the form of national parks, wildlife and game reserves to improve research and tourism, especially as to ameliorate local conditions which would lead to betterment of socioeconomic facilities through increase in livelihood opportunities, educational institutions, and public health establishments. Moreover an abundant source of archaeological and heritage sites (e.g. Domeli model village, Lehri, Rohtas Fort, Ramkot Fort) are found in the region that can be restored and utilized on par with the previously stated advantages for human development. Spiritual sites scattered around the region can also be made beneficial to incorporate the local population with best practices for the modes and methods towards development as many are avid patrons as well as solace seekers who would gain from interest provided through these public centers. The progress in these areas is in correlation with sustainable development processes that can be recorded for posterity and used as an example the world over to face global challenges such as urbanization, water shortage, increasing educated skills, advances in health, income generation through environmental conservation and protection; if management and administration are directed in accountable and equitable streams.

In the media

In mid 2014, Sohawa was featured on national media including Geo News, Dawn News and other top news channel because of newly discovered Ghauri XI oil reserves in its suburbs.

Health

A Tehsil Headquarters Hospital (THQs) Sohawa for the people of Sohawa and surrounding rural areas has been developed by the Government of Pakistan that provides only basic health facilities. For critical health problems peoples have to move to more advanced hospitals. this hospital is currently 40 bedded 20 for female and 20 for male patients followings facilities are available emergency services 4 bedded, labour room services, Operation theater facilities, dental surgery, ambulance services, indoor services lab, X-Rays, Ultra sonography facilities, ECG facilities, Blood Bank (Under Construction) 24 hours round the clock & OPD curative, preventive, promotive & rehabilitative services. Following Post of Specialists are still vacant Medical Splt, child splt, Gynaecologist, Eye, ENT Splt, pathologist, Radilogist. this hospital offers free facilities for MCH, Deliveiris. presently there are three lady doctors to provide 24-hour labour room cover. Further one Rural health center Domeli, 12 basic health units (Adrana, jandala, nagial, gurah uttam singh, kohali, Phulray syedan, surgdhan, dewan e hazoori, pail mirza, karounta, panchor & Banth)3 Government rural dispensaries (Lehri, Gaddar, Baragawah) 4 Rural dispensaries (dial, Hayal, Pari Darweza & Dhairy bakrala)are also providing health services.

Tribes and clans

The major tribes and clans of the district are the following: