Mianwali is one of the north-western cities in the province of Punjab, Pakistan. Predominantly Siraiki (a Punjabi variant) speaking area that includes Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Bahawalpur and other central and southern Punjab and northern Sind cities as well. Mianwali is an important city of Punjab, and it has an airport, a Nuclear Power Plant, Chasma Barrage, Chashma Hydel Power Plant (all three in Kundian) and an airforce base. Famous for its stronge-willed people that constitute a greater part in Pakistan's Army. Attaullah Khan Isa Khelwi, an internationally famous Siraiki language folk artist, is from a sub district of Mianwali, Isa Khel. The Niazis, a Pakhtun tribe currently control the politics and other issues of governance of that area. 80% of the population is of Afghan origion (Pathans/Pashtuns). Mostly the people are bilingual (speak Punjabi and Pashto).

Geography

Mianwali district covers an area of 5,840 square kilometers. The area in north is a continuation of what we call Potohar Plateau and Kohistan-e-Namak. The district consists of various towns, including Kalabagh, Isa Khel, Piplan, Mochh, Rokhri, Ahmed Wala, Daud Khel and Mianwali city. The headquarter of the district is Mianwali city, with a population about 85,000. The city is an economic and commercial hub in the district. There are several educational institutions up to post-graduate level, affialiated with the University of Punjab.Kalabagh is an important city of Distt Mianwali It is famous for proposed Kalabagh Dam, Baghochi Mahaz, handicrafts specially foot wear and Makhadi Halwa and Nawab of Kalabagh, Amir Muhammad Khan, former governor of west Pakistan. Kundian is the second largest town at a distance of 15 km from the city of Mianwali. The town lies close to Chashma Brarrage, Chashma Nuclear Power Plant (CHASHNUPP) & Chashma Hydal Power Station.

One of the famous towns of Mianwali is Chickrala. It is 10 Miles away from the Mianwali Talagang road. Namal (Namal) Lake is a place of interest for the hikers and holiday-makers in Chakrala.

Isa Khel is another important town located in the west of Mianwali. It is a historical town named after Isa Khan, a famous Niazi chief. Marwat tribe in nearby Lakki Marwat District claim that they drove Niazis to Isa Khail in a bloody battle close to the banks of River Kurram.

Kalabagh is also a worth visiting hill spot, famous for its red hills of salt range and scenic view of mighty Indus River traversing through the hills.

History

When we view this district in the history it seems a bit uneventful. Traditionally all major rulers of South Asia governed this area on their turn. Mughal emperor Babur mentions Essa Khail while he was on his mission of conquering Pakhtuns and the rest of the Punjab somewhere in 1520s (ref. Baburnama). Then came the Sikhs, that era was famous for lawlessness, and barbarism, they ruled until the annexation of Punjab in 1849 by the British. The British made administrative divisions, and the present towns of Mianwali and Isa Khel were made tehsil headquarters in the district Bannu of the Dera Ismail Khan division of Punjab. In November 1901, North West Frontier Province was carved out of Punjab and towns of Mianwali, Isa Khel, Kalabagh, and Kundian were separated from Bannu District (NWFP)and hence a new district was made with the headquarters in Mianwali city and placed in Punjab. The district became a part of Rawalpindi Division. There were four tehsils namely Mianwali, Isa Khel, Bhakkar, and Layyah. Layyah was included in the Muzaffargarh District in 1909. The district became a part of Sargodha Division in 1961. Bhakkar tehsil was carved out of Mianwali district and was made a separate district inside Sargodha division in 1982.