PESHAWAR PROFILE
1.1
HISTORY
Peshawar derives its name from a Sanskrit word Pushpapura, meaning the city of
flowers. Peshawars flowers were even mentioned in Mughal Emperor Babars memoirs.
The Kushan Kings of Gandhara founded Peshawar over 2,000 years age. The Mughal
emperor Babar came to Peshawar in 1530 A.D. His grandson Akbar formally gave the
name Peshawar that means The Plae of the Frontier. In that period Peshawar saw
significant improvements in its bazaars and fortifications. During the region of Sher Shah
Suri Peshawars witnessed another boom with the construction of the Delhi to Kabul
Shahi Road, which ran through the Khyber Pass. Over the centuries Peshawar has been
the entry point to invaders and conquerors such as Alexander the great, the Mughal kings
and Mehmood Ghanznavi all whom traveled through the famous Khyber Pass that
traverses the Afghan border. It is said that when Marco Polo visited Peshawar in 1275
A.D., where he found that The people have a peculiar language; they worship idols and
have an evil disposition. These days Pushtun hospitality is legendary and since
conversion to Islam, idol worshipping has ceased. (Subhan, 2003-04)
1.2
DESCRIPTION OF STUDY AREA
Peshawar is the provincial Capital of the NWFP and is also the largest city in the
Province. The city district enjoys tremendous historical, military, economic and political
importance. The Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) adjoining Peshawar, the
Khyber Agency which lies to its West, Mohmand Agency to its North, Frontier Region
(Semi-Tribal regions) Kohat to its South. The two settled districts of Charsadda and
Nowshera are situated to its North and North-East respectively, whereas the Afghan
border is approximately 40 Km to the West. Pushtu is the predominant language followed
by Hindko and the national language Urdu. (Subhan 2003-04)
1.2.1 LOCATION
Peshawar lies between 33 44 and 34 15 north latitude and 71 22 and 71 42 east
longitude. (DCR Peshawar, 1998)
1.2.2
AREA
The total area of this district is 1,257 square km. (DCR Peshawar, 1998)
1.2.3 POPULATION AND DENSITY
According to 1998 census the total population of Peshawar is 2.019 million,
(Male=1,061,000, Female=958,000) i.e. 11.38% of the population of NWFP resides in
Peshawar. Out of the total population, 46.62% of the people are migrants from other parts
of NWFP and other provinces of Pakistan. Over 46% of the total population in the district
is less than 15 years of age. The population of Peshawar District has increased more than
5 times since 1951 A.D. It is 2019 thousand in 1998 A.D. as compared to 391 thousand in
1951 A.D., resulting in over all increase of 416.37 % since then. Population of district is
increased by 81.40 % during 1981-98 inter-censal periods (17 years) at an average annual
growth rate of 3.56 persons. The increase was 37.92% and growth rate was 3.89 persons
during 1972 A.D. to 1981A A.D. (8.46 years). During 1951 A.D. to 1972 A.D. (11.67
years) the increase was 52.55% and rate of growth were 3.70 persons. (Population Census
Peshawar, 1998)
1.3
TOPOGRAPHY
The district is almost a fertile plain. The central part of the district consists of fine alluvial
deposits. The cultivated tracts consists of a rich, light and porous soil, composed of a
pretty even mixture of clay and sand which is good for cultivation of wheat, sugarcane
and tobacco. It is approximately 1173 feet (358 m) above sea level. (DCR Peshawar, 1998)
1.4.1 GEOLOGY
Peshawar valley is covered with consolidated deposits of silt, sands and gravel of recent
geological times. There is a small hilly area in the Southeast, which is a part of main
Khattak range. The highest point is at Tarakai with a height of about 700m. (DCR Peshawar,
1998)
1.4.2 HYDROLOGY
The floods Plains/Zones are the areas between Kabul River and Budni Nala. The meander
flood plain extends from Warsak in the Northwest towards Southeast in the upper
Northern half of the district. The Kabul River enters the district in the Northwest. On
entering the Peshawar Plain, the Kabul River is divided into several channels. Its two
main channels are the Adizai River Eastward flows along the boundary with Charsadda
District. Another channel branching from the right bank of the Naguman River is the
Shah Alam, which again merges with Naguman River further in the East. In general the
sub-soil strata are composed of gravels, boulders, and sands overlain by silts and clays.
Sand, gravel and boulders are important aquifer extends to a depth of about 200 feet. As
further confined water bearing aquifer occurs at depths greater than 400 feet. (DCR
Peshawar, 1998)
1.4.3 DRAINAGE PATTERN
The topography of the area indicates that most of the drainage from Peshawar has its
outfall into Budhi Nala and eventually into the Kabul River. The Bara River enters the
District South of the Jamrud Fort and flows in the Northeasterly direction to the
Nowshera District, eventually joining the Kabul River. Due to its higher elevation, very
limited areas flow through gravity into Bara River. (Subhan, 2003-04)
1.5
AGRICULTURE
Peshawar valley is famous for its fertile and densely cultivated lands/soil. The district is
famous for producing both food and cash crops. The main food crops are wheat, maize
and barley. The main cash crop is sugarcane. An important institution in the field of
agriculture in the district is the Agriculture Research Institute, Tarnab located along the
Grand Trunk Road about 16 Km from Peshawar towards Nowshera. (DCR Peshawar, 1998)
1.6
HORTICULTURE
The principal fruits are plum, peach, pear, apricot, watermelon, muskmelon, apple, guava,
mango, persimmon and loquat. The principal vegetables grown in the district are turnip,
carrot, spinach, tomato, cauliflower, cabbage, peas, radish and ladyfinger. (DCR Peshawar,
1998)
1.7
LIVESTOCK
Asses, buffaloes, cattle, goats, horses, mules and sheep are found in the district. There are
also several poultry farms in the district. (DCR Peshawar, 1998)
1.8
INDUSTRY
Peshawar district is comparatively developed area in the NWFP. Khazana sugar mill and
a number of small industrial units at Kohat road, Jamrud road, Karkhano market are
functioning which are manufacturing hosiery, small arms, leather and foot wear,
garments, ghee, soap, etc. Match factories, flour mills and steel re-rolling units are also
operating in the district. (DCR Peshawar, 1998)
1.9
CLIMATE
8.1
TEMPERATURE
Winter in Peshawar is starts from mid November to March; summer months are May to
September. The mean maximum temperature in summer is over 40C and the mean
minimum temperature is 25C. The mean minimum temperature during winter is 4C and
maximum is 18.35C. The spring comes somewhere around the middle of March which
is the most pleasant period of the year. (DCR Peshawar, 1998)
8.2
RAINFALL
Rainfall is received both in winter and in the summer. The winter rainfall due to western
disturbances shows a higher record during the months of February and April. The highest
winter rainfall has been recorded in March, while the highest summer rainfall in the
month of August. The average winter rainfall is higher is higher in winter than that of the
summer. Based on a 30 year record, the average annual precipitation has been recorded as
400 millimeters. (DCR Peshawar, 1998)
8.3
WINDS AND HUMIDITY
Wind speeds vary during the year from 5 knots in December to 24 knots in June. The
relative humidity varies from 46% in June to 76% in August. (DCR Peshawar, 1998)
1.10. FLORA AND FAUNA
1.10.1 FLORA
The common trees are mesquite, ber, acacia and jhand. The common shrubs are spynda,
akk, small red poppy, spera, camel thorn, paighambari gul and Drab grass. Common
herbs are R/trichophyllus, H.trilobum, T.torulosa, and S/pakistanicum. All kinds of roses
like guledawoodi, chamba, ramble, nargis, kasmalo, ganderi, mori and other seasonal
flowers are planted and shown in district. (DCR Peshawar, 1998)
1.10.2 FAUNA
Wildlife Department NWFP, Peshawar is working for protection and conservation of
wildlife through declaring protected areas. It helps to rehabilitate wildlife species that are
threatened or becoming endangered or extinct. The common wildlife species found are
gray partridge, black partridge, chakur, partridge, and see etc. Birds found in Peshawar
are house Sparrow, Red Vented Bulbul, Common Myna, House Sparrow, Rose Ringed
Parakeet, Common Babbler, Pariah kite, Common Swallow, Blyths Reed Warbler, White
Cheeked Bulbul and Crested Lark. (DCR Peshawar, 1998)
1.11 LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
Peshawars environment has suffered tremendously due to an ever increasing population,
Afghan influx unplanned growth and a poor regulatory framework. Air, surface water and
noise pollution along with solid waste problem are significant issues in several parts of
the city and the water quality, once considered to be exceptionally good, is also fast
deteriorating. Air Pollution is attributed to many sources, the most prominent being
vehicular pollution, dust particles, emissions from the large number of small scale brick
kilns, stone crushers and major contribution from industrial state of Hayatabad.
Contributions by other sources, such as coal and solid waste burning etc, are relatively
minor at present. Selected sampling (in the congested parts of the city) and comparisons
with accepted air quality standard (9ppm) show results (14ppm) that are 2 to 7 times
higher than the 1987 A.D. WHO guidelines. (Subhan, 2003-04)
