Soon Valley media

Name Malik MuhammadSideeq Tahir  

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Soon  Valley (Urdu: وادئ سُون‎), or Soon Sakesar

The Soon Valley (Urdu: وادئ سُون‎), or Soon Sakesar is one of the famous valleys of Pakistan situated in the central Punjab province. The Valley is situated in the north west of Khushab. Naushehra is the main town of the Valley. The Valley starts fromPadhrar village and end to Sakesar that is the highest peak of Salt Range. The length of Soon Valley is 35 miles (56 km) and average width is 9 miles (14 km). The area of Soon Valley is 300-square-mile (780 km²). Although not as cold as the valleys up north, Soon valley consists of beautiful lakes, waterfalls, jungles, natural pools and ponds. Soon valley is also blessed with ancient civilization, natural resources, and fertile farms. There are some special features of this valley that distinguish it from other areas, without knowing about them it is very hard to understand its importance. Sabhral, Khura, Naushehra, Mardwal, Kufri, Angah, Ugali,Uchali and Bagh Shams-ud-Din are important towns in soon valley. Kanhatti Garden, Sodhi Garden, Da'ep and Sakesar are resorts to visit. Awan^[1] tribe is settled in Soon Valley.

Located at a height of 5,010 feet (1,530 m) above sea level, Sakesar was once the summer headquarters for the Deputy Commissioners of three districts - Campbelpur (now Attock), Mianwali and Shahpur (now Sargodha). It is the only mountain in this part of the Punjab which receives snow fall in winters. In view of Sakesar's ideal location and height, the PAF selected it in the late-50s as the site for a high powered radar which would provide air defence cover for the northeastern part of the western wing. Pakistan Television's re-broadcasting center has been installed to provide terrestrial transmissions coverage to adjoining areas.^[3]

[edit]Total villages: 31Information

• Main villages: Naushahra, Jabbah, Ugalisharif,Mukrumi,Kaamrh,Dhadhar, Mardwal, Kufri, Uchali, Chitta, Khoora,Anga,Khabbaki, kuradhi, Sodhi Bala, Sodhi Zaren,
• Distance from Islamabad: 290 km
• Distance from Sargodha: 120 km
• Distance from Lahore:200  km
• Lakes : Uchali, Khabbaki, Jahlar,
• Shrines :Baba Shikh Akbar, Pir Baba Sakhi Muhammad Khushhaal in Khabbaki, Baba beri Wala in Naushera
• MIZAR NUBARIK: 1.FAQEER SUFI BABA TAJ SHAH SARKAR,2.Hazrat Mian Abdul Aziz shab,Hazrat Mian abdul Hameed shab,Hazrat Aziz Ahmed shab belong to kufri,Hazrat Sultan Mehdi Sahib, Hazrat Mian Faiz Zaman Sahib, Hazrat Mian Siraj-ud-Din Sahib.
• Forts :Janjua's Akrand Fort, Forts and Temples of Amb Shareef

[edit]People

The main tribe of the area is the Awan of ancient repute. This tribe came in this area with Qutab Shah and settled in the Soon valley. Pail-Piran, a village at junction of Khusab and Chakwal disytrict, on the other hand is home to Hashmite descendents of Baha Ud Din Bahawal Ul Haq Zakkariyya Multani (RA).

The  sub branches and small tribes of Awans are Shehal, Ardaal, Mirwal, Adriyal, Shenaal in Sadeeqabad(Kufri),Subjal, Dersal, Ahmdal in Kuradhi Latifal, Jurwal, Radhnal, Sheraal in Naushehra, Pirkal in Jallay wali, Majhial in Mardwal, Bazral, Chhatal, Ghadhyal, Phatal's are also awan,Yakial, Maswal in Ugalisharif, Phatwal and Bhojo Khail, Sheral, Mianwaddal, Alyaral, Sher Shahal, Noor Khanal in Khabbaki, Uchalla and so on. In the valley Awan's are known by their clans. In old time the head of clan in each village was known as Raees, and the head of a tribe was known as Raees-Azam. The most famous Raees Azam were Malik Muzaffar Noor Khanal Khabaki,Khansahab Malik Buland Khan of Kufri was also elected member of the District Board Shahpur till his death in 1928 after him his sons Zaildar Malik Sarfraz Khan was elected as Member District Board Shahpur he was also appointed Honrary Magistrate in 1936, His younger brother Colonel Malik Sultan Mubaraz Khan was elected Senior Vice Chairman of the District Board Shahpur in 1936 He was also elected as President District Bar Association Sargodha in 1952, Haji Malik Mohammad Nawaz Khan son of KhanSahab Malik Buland Khan was a keyrole player in the politics of the district and the soon valley, he was also Kursinasheen and lumberdar of three villages including Kufri,Chak No.39 NB Sargodha and Chamu Sana. KhanSahab Malik Buland Khan's grandson Malik Muhammad Akram Awan Advocate was elected Member of Provincial Assembly of the Punjab in 1970 by the peole of Soon Valley.KhanSahib Malik Buland Khan's great grand son Malik Hamid Nawaz Awan was also elected Nazim(Member District Assembly Sargodha)in 2001 and 2005 he was appointed Leader Of Opposition By Shaheed Benazir Bhutto. He is also President of Pakistan Peoples Party District Sargodha.He was also allotted ticket for the Provincial Assembly in 2007 Elections by Pakistan Peoples Party.  Malik Ameer Haider of Kufri, Qazi Mazhar Qayyum of Naushera and Syed Gul Peer Shah of Sodhi.

A majority of the people are serving in the armed forces of Pakistan. Many loyal brave soldiers and officers belong to this land who even laid down their lives for their homeland.^[4]

Other professions like education, business, transportation and agricultural are also adopted by the locals. The people are hard working and agriculture used to be the main profession. Per person square footage of land decreased, as population increased. Consequently the people have migrated to large cities for jobs.

Many famous writers like Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi (late), Prof. Syed Ahmad Saeed Hamadani, journalist Abdul Qadir Hassan , Shaukat Mehmud Awan, Allama Muhammad Yousuf Gabriel and other personalities belong to this beautiful valley.

[edit]Martial race

The Janjua's were present in the era while Babur Mughal emperor passed from this way on his continue on battles with different tribes (Source Tuzk-e-Baburi)

The Awans of the Soon Valley were also amongst those the British considered to be "martial race".^[5] The British recruited army heavily from Soon Valley for service in the colonial army, and as such, the Awans of this area also formed an important part of the British Indian Army, serving with distinction during World Wars I and II.Of all the Muslim groups recruited by the British, proportionally, the Awans produced the greatest number of recruits during the First and Second World Wars. Contemporary historians, namely Professor Ian Talbot and Professor Tan Tai Yong, have authored works that cite the Awans (amongst other tribes) as being looked upon as a martial race by not only the British, but neighbouring tribes as well. The army of Pakistan also heavily recruits Awans from this area. Awans occupy the highest ranks of the Pakistani Army.^[6]

[edit]Gateway to Soon Sakesar

Government of Punjab constructed the road from Nurewala to Naushehra in recognition of services rendered by the Awans of Soon Valley during the First World War. Sir W.M.Hailey, Governor Punjab inaugrated this road on April 1, 1928. The plaques are installed on Khushab-Sakesar road as it enters the hills.

[edit]Culture

Being as a tribe of Arabs origin, the local people follows Islamic culture and traditions. Traditionally the marriages are arranged according to the Islamic traditions and wedding ceremony usually takes place at the mosques. Nikah is attended by close family members, relatives, and friends of groom and bride. Usually, the men and women are made to sit separately, in different rooms, or have a purdah (curtain) separating them.

Luddi is famous folk dance on occasions of happiness. Also dhol and shehnai are famous musical instruments for celebrations.

[edit]Lakes of Soon Valley

There are two well-renowned Uchhali Lake and Khabikki Lake lakes in Soon valley. Uchhali is a salt water lake in the southern Salt Range area in Pakistan. This lake is formed due to the absence of drainage in the range. Sakaser, the highest mountain in the Salt Range, looms over the lake. Due to its brackish water the lake is lifeless. But it offers a picturesque scenery. Khabikki Lake is a salt water lake in the southern Salt Range area in Pakistan. This lake is formed due to the absence of drainage in the range. The lake is one kilometer wide and two kilometres long. Khabikki is also the name of a neighbouring village. Boats are also available and there is a rest house beside the lake. A hill gently ascended on the right side of the lake. The lake and the green area around provide a good scenery. These lakes attract thousands of migratory birds each year and are ideal haven for the bird watchers.

Tucked in the southern periphery of the Salt Range and hemmed in by its higher cliffs, is a cluster of natural lakes — Ucchali, Khabbeki and Jhallar in district Khushab. These lakes are said to be 400 years old, maybe more. The lakes are a prime sanctuary for the migratory birds and were declared a protected sanctuary for the native and migratory avifauna on the appeal of World Wildlife Fund. Nestled at about 800 meters above the sea, lakes have some marsh vegetation and are mostly surrounded by cultivated land, which is picturesquely intersected by hillocks. The lakes are fed by the spring, seepage from adjacent areas, and run off from the neighbouring hills of the historic Salt Range. The lakes are one of the most important wintering areas for the rare white-headed ducks (Oxyura leucocephala) in Pakistan that comes here from Central Asia. Locals believe that there is a volcano hidden beneath the surface of the Ucchali Lake due to which the colour of the water keeps changing. The appearance of a vert broad and brightly coloured rainbow in 1982 for consecutive 15 days is also attributed to this analogy. in 1982, a strange phenomenon was observed in the villages Ucchali and Dhadhar. The lakes’ water is also said to cure gout and skin diseases. People have been taking the water from the lakes as far as Lahore and Karachi. People think that a pure white winged creature called Great egret, from Grus family, found in the area is a symbol of longevity.

[edit]Town and villages

• Padhrar
• Naushera
• Sakesar
• Jabbah
• Uchalla
• Pail-Piran
• Surraki
• Sodhi
• Kalial
• Jahalar
• Sirhal
• Shakar Kot
• Khabaki
• Dhadhar
• Mardawal
• Khoora
• Kufri (SideeqAbad)
• Koradhi
• Uchhali
• Shakarkot
• Anga
• Ugalisharif
• Makrumi
• Kamrah
• Dhadar
• Ahmadabad
• Dhaka
• Tevin
• Jalywali
• Mustafabad
• Hardosodhi (Bala & Zareen)
• Sirhal
• Munnawan

Different Villages Location

Villages west of Naushehra are Sabhral, Kufri, Koradhi,Uchhali, and Chitta before reaching the Pakistan Air Force Base of Sakesar.

Villages to the north west of Naushehra are Sirhal, Shakarkot Anngah and Ugalisharif.

Villages to the north east of Naushehra are Mardowal, Makrumi, Kamrah, Dhadar, Ahmadabad, Khabakki and Jabah.

Villages to the south west of Naushehra are har do sodhi Bala, Surraki and Jahlar.

Villages to the south of Naushehra are Chamraki and Sodhian villages.

Villages to the east of Naushehra are Dhakah, Mirokah Dhakah, Jalay Wali, (Uchhalah is not on the main road), Sodhi Jai Wali, Kaliyal, Khurrah, Kathwai and Surraki...

Padhrar and Pail-Piran are the part of soon valley but these villages are in the fall on Chakwal-Khushab road.

There are scattered colonies of certain families which are called Dhok. Usually at each Dhoke there are two to ten houses.

Khabeki Lake from the road

[edit]Historical places

• Akrand Fort of Janjua's (Road way & Tracking Way from Kangahti Garden).
• Lakes: Ugalisharif & Uchalli Lake, Khabikki Lake and Jahlar Lake.
• Waterfalls at Kufri.
• Ambh Sharif is a historical place in Hinduism.
• Kanahti Garden, Sodhi Garden, Khabakki Jheel, Ugalisharif & Uchali Jheel, Sakesar and Daip Shareef and the hiking experiences of hills
• Anga, an important village.
• Sodhi village has waterfalls, a Rest House, and wild animals like Cheetah, Rabbit,Deer, Teetar (Urdu name of a bird).
• Mahala Qazian Wallah, is also a famous street of Naushera, where the famous qadisof Naushera used to live.
• Graveyard of qadi family.

Famous Personalities of Soon valley

Famous Personalities

Well known personalities like late literary giant Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi and columnist Abdul Qadir Hassan, prominent scholar Syed Ahmad Saeed Hamadani, scholar and   poet, Iqbal Dost from Khabakki who is well known at home and abroad due to his many books including Jam-e-Khudi and Aap-ke-Naam, and for his English Poems in UK.  World renowned Dr. Ghaus Malik neurosurgen USA  from Sabhral also belong to this land.

Transportation

Soon Valley is accessible through public transport from Islamabad (M2 Balkasar Interchange), Lahore (M2 Kalar Kahar Intrechange), Sargodha , Khushab and Mianwali . It is about 2 and half hours from Khushab, from Islamabad side you enter in valley by jaba road through Talagang.
Locations
SoonSakesar is a wonderland located in the heart of Pakistan and has unique geographical features that exists very rare in the world which are its closed drainage patterns that lead to the formation of Uchhali, Khabeki and Jahlar Lakes. SoonSakesar valley was called as Koh-e-Jodh in ancient times and is the most beautiful part of Salt Range. It is a valley of Lakes and springs, Lush green fertile fields, Versatile mountains, Amazing landscape, Dense mixed forests, Sanctuaries of wildlife, Brave peoples of high traditions, Rich Archaeology, Pre-Historic sites, Ancient History and much more

SoonSakesar valley can be also called as Central Salt Range, located to the North West of Khushab city, administratively falls in District Khushab, Punjab Province, Pakistan. It is bounded by Potohar plateau to the north, Punjab Plains (Khushab plains) to the South, Indus River at some distance to the West of Sakesar Peak and Kalar Kahar near the eastern boundaries. Geographically valley is located between coordinates 32. 26' 11" to 32. 41' 18"North and 71. 50' 33" to 72. 30' 07" East. Geographical Coordinates of Some important locations are given below for quick access,


1. Naushahra Village 32. 34' 09"N & 72. 09' 15"

2. Uchhali Lake 32. 33' 30"N & 72. 01' 25"

3. Khabeki Lake 32. 37' 19"N & 72. 12' 48"

4. Jahlar Lake 32. 29' 53"N & 72. 05' 14"

5. Amb Temples 32. 30' 30"N & 71. 56' 11"

6. Akrand Cliff Fort 32. 39' 27"N & 72. 15' 47"

Soon Valley is accessible through five different routes from Islamabad, Lahore and Mianwali.

Route A.

While coming from Islamabad/Rawalpindi, enter on M2 motorway towards Lahore, move out of motorway from Balkasar Interchange and travel towards Talagang, after crossing Talagang drive on Khushab road (Katha road) upto Jaba mor and you are standing in the SoonSakesar valley, from Jaba Mor Naushahra village is 25 km. Total distance from Islamabad to Naushahra is 210 km.At about 2 km from Jaba Mor towards Khushab there is another road that is called Sultan Mehndi - Sodhi Road and this road also leads to Naushahra while travelling through beautiful Jungles and condition of this road is much better than Jaba-Naushahra road.

Route B.

While coming from Lahore, enter on M2 motorway towards Islamabad and move out of Motorway from Kalar Kahar interchange, then travelling from Kalar Kahar to Padhrar and Pail villages that are the eastern most villages of SoonSakesar, take a turn from Pail Chowk to Jaba Mor and from Jaba Mor Naushahra village is 25 km. Total distance from Lahore to Naushahra is 295 km. At about 2 km before Jaba Mor there is another road that is called Sultan Mehndi - Sodhi Road and this road also leads to Naushahra while travelling through beautiful Jungles.

Route C.

The old route for travelling from Lahore to SoonSakesar is via Sargodha. To travel on this route one can move out of motorway from Pindi Bhattian interchange and after crossing Sargodha reach Khushab and Naushahra is 55km from Khushab on Sakesar road. Total distance from Lahore to Naushahra is 280 km.

Route D.

The persons coming from Mianwali can reach Khushab and take the same route as mentioned in Route-C.

Route E.

From a small town called Qaidabad located on Khushab-Mianwali road, a road leads to the Sakesar top and from there one can enter in SoonSakesar valley, but before travelling on this road advance permission is required from Pakistan Air Force for crossing the Sakesar top



Books on soon valley

1.WADI E SOON SAKESAR by SARWAR AWAN
2.SOON SAKESAR by AHMAD GHAZALI
3.ZIA E SOON by AHMAD HAMDANI
4.MANZAR E SOON by SHAH DIL AWAN