Bannu

Bannu is situated in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K.P.K.) Province, Pakistan and it is the administrative headquarter of the Bannu district which is one of the 24 districts of K.P.K.  It is 198.7 km from the provincial capital, Peshawer, and is 370.4 km from Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad.

Punjab is situated to the east, northeast, and south. North and south Waziristan are located to the West, Northwest, and Southwest. The people of Bannu also called their city BanniGul, Beautiful as a flower. This article contains all the information about the city, including Bannu History.

Bannu History

Bannu is an old city, and its ancient history dates back to the Indus civilization. Several Arab and central Asian rulers invaded this region because of its strategic location to access northern territories. The present-day Bannu was founded by a lieutenant, Herbert Benjamin Edwardes, in 1848 and used to be known as Edwardsabad.

British army built a stronghold in the city to control regional tribes. The British built reinforced the city by building a strong wall on the perimeter of the entire town. During the war of independence in 1857, the British used it as a military center to suppress the movement. Local people took part in the struggle for independence until 1947.

Geography

Geographical coordinates of the city are 32°59′11″N (latitude) and 70°36′16″E (longitude), and its elevation above sea level is 12486.88 ft. (3,806 m). The total area of the district is 1,227 km² (474 mi²) in length which is guarded by mountain ranges of Koh-e-Safed and Koh-e-Suleiman on all sides.

Bannu Climate

The overall climate of the city is generally pleasant because being situated in the mountainous region. During the whole year, the temperature typically varies from 6.11°C to 40°C, and the average temperature for the year is around 20.6°C.

In summers (last for 4.3 months) temperature may reach as high as 35°C. the average winter last for three months) temperature is 22°C and may drop as low as 6°C. The average rainfall in the region is 58.42mm.

Population

The city is home-town to 804,000 people, according to the 2017 census. The population of the district is 1,167,892 with a population density of 950/km² (2,500/mi²).

Bannu Culture

The city is mostly a tribal society with several clans and communities living side by side. The Bannuchi tribe mainly populates the region others include Banizeei, Marwats, Wazer, Bhittaan, Syeds, Niazi, Abbasies, and Awan. All communities observe multicultural diversity and tolerance.

People are hospitable, especially towards the guest. Traditional shalwar-kameez, usually with waistcoats and chaddar on the shoulder are common among men. Women wear colorful attire covered in a burqa. Two dishes are famous in Bannu;  Painda and Palao. Carrying guns is part of their culture, and at the community level, elders resolve problems in Jirga.

Education

According to statistics published by the K.P.K. government, the overall literacy rate of Bannu is 32.11%. There are many public and private section educational institutions in the region. A list of some educational institutes is given below:

• Adil Public School And College
• Akram Khan Durrani College
• Bannu College Of Medical Technologies
• Al-Mumtaz Institute Of Medical Sciences
• Army Public School And College
• Bannu Medical College
• Bannu Model College
• Cadet College
• Cantonment Board Bannu Girls College
• Center Of Academics
• Degree College For Women
• Degree College For Girls
• College For Elementary College (Men)
• College Of Technology
• Degree College Domeil
• Degree College Of Commerce
• Durrani College, Sikandar Khel Bala
• Girls High School, Azim Killa Jadid
• Girls Higher Secondary School No. 2
• Higher Secondary School (comp)
• Post Graduate College Bannu
• Post Graduate Girls College Bannu
• Postgraduate College
• h. School & College
• Hira School And College
• Imperial Science College
• Indus School & College
• Islamia College Of Information Technology
• Islamia Science School & College
• Khyber College Of Science & Technology
• Mono Tech Institute
• P.C. Boys Inter College
• RITE College Boys Ghoriwala
• University Of Science and Technology Bannu

Sports

People here are fond of watching and playing:

• Cricket
• Hokey
• Football
• Volleyball
• Yenda

Army administered golf course club is also available here.

Economy

The economy is dependent on agricultural products and livestock. It produces 540 million liters of annual milk which is another primary source of income and revenue generation. Several business and commercial centers are also contributing their share in the overall economic growth and G.D.P. of the country.

Industry

Sugar mills, leather product manufacturing, cotton fabrics, woolen goods, machine, and equipment manufacturing comprise central industrial units in the region.

Agriculture

The main occupation of the significant population for livelihood is agriculture. The city is fertile for cultivation, and a well-established irrigation system makes it conducive to agriculture.

The primary sources of water for irrigation are rive Kurram and river Tochi. Lush green fields and farms of wheat, rice, sugarcane, vegetables, figs, and fruits are throughout the suburbs and outskirts of the city.

Tourism

The city is a beautiful place with naturally gorgeous geographical features. It is a Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA), a valid permit is required to visit parts of this region. The nearest tourist attractions include Dera Ismail Khan (80 km) and Kohat (60 km).

Bannu Languages

Natives can communicate through:

• Pashto (first language)
• Urdu
• Saraiki
• Punjab

Travel

A network of roads and highways link the city with the outer region. Thal road, Miranshah road, Kohat Road, and Indus Highway (N-55) Bannu link road is available to by-road travelers. Several transport facilities such as buses and omnibuses operate for this region from all over the country.

The region is also linked with a railroad system. Railway station in the town works as a link for incoming and outgoing trains. Air routes connect the city with the rest of the country. Bannu domestic Airport (BNP) is located 11 km west of the city center.

Other nearest airports include:  

• Dera Ismael Khan Airport, Dera Ismael Khan (D.S.K.), 123.15 km
• Peshawar International Airport, Peshawar (P.E.W.), 139.91 km
• Zhob Airport, Fort Sandeman (PZH), 82 km

Bannu Postal Code

Postal Code: 28100

Area Code:  0928