Overview
Vehari District is an administrative district in the province of Punjab, in the country of Pakistan. The district capital is the city of Vehari. Located in the southern part of Punjab, Vehari functions mainly as an agricultural and market centre serving surrounding rural areas.
Geography and climate
The district lies within the Indus plain and is characterized by flat, irrigated land. Climate is semi-arid: summers are hot and dry, while winters are mild and winters receive limited rainfall. Canal irrigation and seasonal monsoon rains shape cropping cycles and the rural landscape.
Economy and agriculture
Vehari's economy is dominated by agriculture. Large irrigated farms produce a range of field and horticultural crops. Major crops include:
- cotton
- wheat
- sugarcane
- rice and various vegetables
- citrus fruit, notably kinnow and other oranges
Supporting industries include cotton ginning, sugar mills and related agro-processing; smaller textile and transport enterprises serve local and regional markets.
Administration and infrastructure
Administratively the district is subdivided into tehsils, commonly listed as:
- Vehari
- Burewala
- Mailsi
The district is connected by road and rail to larger urban centres, providing routes for trade and passenger travel. Basic social infrastructure includes schools, colleges, and district hospitals concentrated in the main towns.
History, culture and notable facts
The area has a rural history tied to canal colonization and agricultural development that expanded during the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries, leading to denser settlement and market towns. Languages spoken include Punjabi and Saraiki alongside Urdu as the official language. Vehari is notable for its role within Punjab as a productive farming district and as a regional hub for agricultural processing and trade.