| Bewal | |
|---|---|
| — Union Council — | |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Province | Northern Punjab |
| District | Rawalpindi |
| Tehsil | Gujar Khan |
| Government | |
| • Nazim | Haji Mohammad Nawaz Late |
| • Naib Nazim | Mohammad Shabbir Bhatti |
Bewal (Urdu: ﯧﺑﻭﻞ) is a town and Union Council in the eastern part of Gujar Khan Tehsil and to south east from Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan. Bewal along with Sui Cheemian is today probably the most wealthy place anywhere in rural Pakistan, with a large proportion of its population being settled in Europe, particularly the UK. In several villages of Union Council Bewal, virtually every family has at least one member living and working in England. Unlike other rural areas in Pakistan, Bewal is reasonably well developed. A major new hospital, Bewal International Hospital, is now operational and is providing quality healthcare to surrounding and distant patients. The hospital was founded by Dr. Atiq-ur-Rehman in memory of his late father, Abdul Rehman and named the trust after him. Despite boasting a very low crime rate in the past, there has been a significant increase in looting, murders and house break-ins in recent years. The literacy rate in the area is estimated to be about 70 percent for men and somewhat lower for women.Bank Alfalah Limited has started its Islamic Banking branch in Bewal in December 24, 2009. It in pioneer in providing ATM service at Bewal.
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Traditionally, Bewal has been a stronghold of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)and has elected PPP candidates to both the Provincial and National Assemblies during the last several General Elections. Local politicians play a major role in the lives of the populace.
Rawalpindi is the city which is a main shopping centre for the people. The countryside surrounding the town consists of typical Pothohar Plateau landscape. Surrounded by several smaller towns, Bewal is a hub for other areas around it. Other main towns include Kallar Syedan, Choha Khalsa, Jabber Islampura jabbar,Goleen and Smot. The fertile land of the Bewal region grows crops such as wheat, corn and peanuts.
There are many versions of stories about its history and name. Some believe it was named after Alexander The Great's horse which was killed during a furious fight. Others would claim that it was named after a Hindu Raja's daughter nicknamed Baby which was suffixed with a Hindi word "Waala" (which is a common practice throughout the subcontinent), and together it was "Babywaal", which ended up as a Bewal over time. There are no historical proofs for these claims. though.
Up until the spring of 1947, Bewal had a sizable non-Muslim population, most of which consisted of Sikhs with a small number of Hindus. Bewal suffered from communal riots in which local Muslims besieged the town for over a week. The stalemate resulted in the rioters setting fire to the homes of the Sikhs and Hindus living in the centre of Bewal. Virtually the entire population of Sikhs and Hindus in Bewal was burnt alive in the ensuing fires.
A Hindu temple stills stands in Bewal although the two Gurudawaras did not survive the fire of 1947. Many former Sikh and Hindu residents and their descendants have visited Bewal in the 1980s and 1990s. Before partition Sikhs and Hindus dominated the local business scene of Bewal, while local Muslims hardly had any kind of business at all. Muslims were mostly farmers in poor conditions. It was an area governed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Kashmir and in the past it was a part of Kashmir. Qilla Sanghani (a fortress built during British Raj), Pakka Khu (a well, said to be built by some Mughul king) and Pakki Masjid (a mosque also said to be built by Mughul King) are the main historical sites in the area. There is a village in Bewal called Dheri that is the most beautiful village there, and while there are many bungalows, no one lives there, they all live in the UK. Telecommunication The PTCL provides the main network of landline telephone with minority shares of other operators. All major mobile phone companies operating in Pakistan provide service in Bewal. Pakistan's Broadband revolution has had a significant impact on telecommunications in Bewal. DSL internet also has a major coverage in the city with PTCL the main stakeholders. Recently a high speed 3G Network, EVO Nitro, was also set up by PTCL with maximum speeds of 9.3 Mbit/s to add up to the already established EVO 3G Network. Though localized, it is the first instance in the history of telecommunication that EVDO RevB technology was commercially launched.
The principal clans of Bewal are the Qureshis, Awan, Gakhar,Gujar, Mughals, Sayyid, Rajputs (jasyal Kanyals,[ chouhan rajpoots,majority live in mohra kanyal and dhera kanyal].Bangial, Bhattis, Minhas, Jat rajputs ( injrahal rajputs,Cheema, Chhina, Dhamial, Kalyals and Sandhu). and Butts also known kashmiries Inhabitants in this region are modest and polite.Majority own various shops in main bazaar while other are farmers and stick to their lands, rest of the people are abroad for a living especially in United Kingdom.
A large number of people went to live and work in United Kingdom since 1970. In daily life people indulge themselves in simple activities like sports which include, Kabaddi, Volleyball, Bull Racing, Dog Fighting.
In recent elections held in United Kingdom Sayeeda Warsi ak Baroness Warsi a British lawyer from Dewsbury Yorkshire and member of Conservative Party , became a cabinet minister who is also from Bewal.
Government Boys High School Bewal has been an emotional mark to many for many years as it's been a center of educational and sporting activities. From late eighties to late nineties it was a center for annual sports event. Also the school has a reputation of being one of the best schools in district Rawalpindi in terms of quality education and disciplines and a major competitor for other government or private educational institute within area.
Sports like Kabbadi, Cricket, Racing were a major go then. Usually it halted many other activities as people tended to come and watched these exciting events.another school which was founded by Mr Muhammad Ramzan(late) in 1989 as named New Age elmentory academy, Late muhammad Ramzan was a well known personalty in bewal and he made lot of efforts to increase the litracy rate in bewal, due to his hectic efforts the new age acamy produce an excellent stuff for the country many number of students now serving in national and multinational system.