District Ghotki, The Historical City

Ghotki the district of Sindh province is bounded with north-west by District Kashmore, on east by District Rahimyar Khan (Punjab), on South-East by Rajhistan (India) and on West by District Sukkur. The district is part of Sukkur Division whereas, its district headquarter is located in Mirpur Mathelo. The Ghotki city is located on National highway (N-50). Ghotki was taluka of District Sukkur before 1983 and it was established as new district in 1983. Area of the district covers in 6975 Sqkm (1,555,528 acres) which includes 25,000 acres of desert land, 402,578 acres (25.88%) consists of flooded (Katcha) area and remaining area of the district is cultivated which lies between desert and flooded areas of the district. According to census of 2017, District Ghotki holds 1,646,318 population having approximately 75% of rural areas.

Mirza Kaleech Baig has written in books that Ghotki was initially called as “Ghota” which was founded during 1447 by Pir Mohsin Shah. He had also constructed a glorious mosque in Ghotki city. Ghotki city was also called as town of sufis since, until now sufi are settled and buried in the area. Sufis of Qadirpur were believed to be come from Uch Sharif who had come during Kalhora Era. There is also an old fort which was constructed 1400 years ago by a Rajput namely Amar. A historical city Mirpur Mathelo is also part of this district which was founded by Mir Masoo Khan Talpur during 1739.

As already mentioned that Ghotki district is divided into desert, cultivable and flooded (katcha) areas. Desert area of the district situated on southern belt is stretched from District Sanghar to Cholistan (Punjab) along Indian State Rajisthan. This desert area having hills of wind-blown desert is called as Achro Thar (White Desert). Flooded area (Kacha) is stretched on 87 Kms along Indus River from north - east to south - west of the district where forests exist in the area. Cultivated area of the district is being irrigated through Ghotki Feeder Canal leading from Guddu Barrage. The district holds 92.29% of Sindhi speaking, 3% Urdu speaking, 2.98% Punjabi and 0.6% Balochi speaking population. The district holds major religion Islam with 93.06% of total population having remaining share of Hindus (6.17%) and Christians 0.14%. 

District Ghotki consists of five talukas, i.e Ghotki, Mirpur Mathelo, Khan Garh, Ubauro and Daharki. The district hold has 42 UCs and 287 (260 rural, 9 urban, 15 partly urban & 3 forests) mouzas (revenue village). There are two seats (NA-204 & NA-205) in national assembly and four seats (PS-18, 19, 20 & 21) in Sindh provincial assembly in the district. Mahar family is prominent in politics of District Ghotki. In second, Lund family has politically hold in the area.

District Ghotki has 394 kilometres of good quality roads including 78 kms of National Highway (N-5) passing through the district. Districts headquarters i.e Mirpur Mathelo is connected with its taluka headquarters i.e Ubauro, Dahakari, Khan Gharh, through metaled roads.  There are 22 water supply schemes exist in District Ghotki having 22 functional and remaining 9 water supply schemes are non functional. As per survey, 40 drainage schemes exist in the district having 32 functional schemes. There are 54 health facilities available in District Ghotki.

Main livelihood source of District Ghotki is Agriculture and its lands in cultivatable and Kacha areas are suitable for cultivating wheat, Sugarcane, cotton and other crops / vegetables. Lands of Ubaro, Ghotki and Mirpur Mathelo Talukas are suitable for agricultural lands. District Ghotki is enriched with industrial sector. Fauji Fertilizer Company a Mega Project also exists in Mripur Mathelo besides there are many industries like Engro Fertilizers, OGDCL and other cotton or rice factories exist in District Ghotki.

District Ghotki remained target during heavy floods of 2010, 2011 and 2012. According to survey, 172067 peoples in 380 villages of 12 UCs got affected which include causalities of 5 persons and 662 injuries during the floods occurred in 2010. During 2011 floods, 290000 persons in 1361 village of 50 UCs in 5 talukas were affected which include 11 causalities and 65 injuries. Whereas, 342000 peoples living in 50200 houses of 3268 villages stretched in 40 UCs were affected out of which 11245 houses were completely damaged.