Kunri

كُنرى
City
Kunri
Typical street scene in Kunri.
Aerial picture of Kunri.

Kunri (Urdu: كُنرى‎), (Sindhi: ڪنري) is a town located in the Umarkot District, Sindh province in the southern part of Pakistan.[1] It is about 300 miles (480 km) from Karachi, one of the largest cities in Pakistan. It has a population of about 100,000.

Demographics

The population is composed mostly of Muslims but there is a large Christian, Kashmiri, and Hindu minority. The large population of Pathans, Christians and Hindus, unique in Pakistan, came about because many people decided not move to India during the independence of Pakistan in 1947. The Kashmiri population arrived in 1960 after there was a large migration due to the sever winter suffered. Kunri have a big population of Arain tribe from Punjab and the Sindhi Arain as well. Former mayor of Kunri Chaudhary Muhammad Ashraf also belongs to Arain tribe.

Economy

Kunri's economy is mostly based on agriculture. The region produces different types of crops, including red chilies, cotton, sunflower, sugar cane, and mangoes. By far, the most popular crop in Kunri is the red chili, which sustains the financial structure of the town. Kunri is known as the biggest red chili market in Pakistan. There are few small and one big cooking oil plants located in Kunri, most of which only provide employment to needy people in the city.

Culture

It has a conservative culture, unlike the metropolitan cities of Pakistan. Jeeps are widely used instead of cars in this area. Some Hindu and even Christian women wear ghagra and the bangles from shoulders to wrists, as is the cultural and historical dress. It is uncommon for women of Kunri to work outside their homes; most of their work is handicraft. There is also a notable Shahab colony, Christian colony, Josephabad. Those many qoum megwar, kholi,bheel,Punjabi, pathan, khaskheli, kupri, marwari are this area.[2]

Transportation

Transportation consists mostly of rickshaws, three-wheeled motorcycles, and bicycles. There are also cars and buses that enable the citizens of Kunri to travel as far as Karachi. Some transportation is a problem in the city; the only road joining Kunri to Mirpurkhas is in bad condition and requires constant repair. However, the transportation system is continually being improved. "Kaykra" desert runner trucks are used to travel in the desert area near Kunri.Air-conditioned coaches have been running from Kunri to Karachi for years, which makes travel much easier than from other small towns. Recently, the transportation system has been improved even further.

Weather

Kunri is relatively cold in winter, around 3-12 Celsius. In summer the temperature is very hot, reaching up to 46 Celsius, and dust storms are frequent. The average rainfall is about 100 millimeters.

Notes

  1. ↑ Irwin p100
  2. ↑ Walbridge p117

References