Rahim Yar Khan رحیم یار خاں | |
|---|---|
| Rahim YAR Khan | |
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  Rahim Yar Khan Rahim Yar Khan (Pakistan) Show map of Pakistan | |
| Coordinates:28°25′12″N70°18′0″E / 28.42000°N 70.30000°E /28.42000; 70.30000 | |
| Country |  Pakistan |
| Province |  Punjab |
| District | Rahim Yar Khan |
| Area | |
• Total | 210.2 km2 (81.2 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 83 m (272 ft) |
| Population | |
• Total | 519,261 |
| • Rank | 21st, Pakistan 14th, Punjab |
| • Density | 2,470/km2 (6,398/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+5 (PST) |
| Postal code | 64200 |
| Calling code | 068 |
| Number of tehsils | 4 |
| Number ofUnion councils | 139 |
| Website | rykhan |
Rahim Yar Khan (Urdu:رحیم یار خان,romanized: Rahīm Yār Khān;Urdu pronunciation:[ɾəɦiːmjɑːɾxɑːn]) is a city in thePunjab,Pakistan. It is the21st most populous city in Pakistan and is the capital of theRahim Yar Khan District. The city's administration is divided into nineunion councils.[2] Originally named Noshehra, it was renamed to Rahim Yar Khan in honour of the son ofSadeq Mohammad Khan IV.
People have lived near this area for a very long time. The ancient tower ofPattan Minara stands 8 km to the east of the city center, and is believed to be the remains of a 5,000-year-old monastery, with the minara built during the Hakrra valley civilization of theMauryan period (250 BC).[3]
Rahim Yar Khan was founded in 1751 as Noshehra.[4] Its region was part ofMultan province of Mughal Empire.[5] Railway administrators wanted to change the name of the town due to its similar name toNowshera. In 1881,Sadeq Mohammad Khan IV renamed the area to Rahim Yar Khan in honour of his son.[6]
Rahim Yar Khan was a part ofBahawalpur State until 1943, when it became a separate district.[7]
One-fourth of the city is within theCholistan Desert.[4]
65% of the population is employed in agricultural work.[4]
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1941 | ... | — |
| 1951 | 14,919 | — |
| 1961 | 43,548 | +191.9% |
| 1972 | 74,262 | +70.5% |
| 1981 | 119,036 | +60.3% |
| 1998 | 233,537 | +96.2% |
| 2017 | 477,100 | +104.3% |
| 2023 | 519,261 | +8.8% |
| Sources:[8] | ||
The population of the city is 519,261 during the2023 census.[1]
Shaikh Zayed International Airport is located in Rahim Yar Khan. It serves the people of city with domestic and international flights.[4] There are daily flight from this airport to Karachi, twice in a week to/from Lahore, and once a week to Islamabad. This airport was partially damaged in2025 India-Pakistan conflict.[9][10]
