Page 40 - Narowal Gazetteer

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Local Governments

In terms of Punjab Local Government Act, 2019, Municipal Committee Shakargarh
is the only urban local government while the rest of the tehsil falls under the local
government, Tehsil Council, Shakargarh. Village and neighbourhood councils are still in

the process of formulation.

Demographics

As per 2017 census the population of the tehsil was 673,053.
An overwhelming majority (99%) are Muslims with a small minority adhering to
Christianity. Local Sikhs, Hindus, and Ahmadis are negligible in number.
Gujjars are the predominant caste followed in order by Ansaris, Pathans, Jatts, and

Rajputs.
The tehsil boasts as one with the highest literacy rate in Pakistan at over 97%.

Places of Interest

Tomb of Khawaja Abdul Salam

Chishti

The tomb of Khawaja Abdul Salam Chishti, or Barha Bhai, who got his name from so

once addressed by a Jasrota Raja, is located in Masrur. The site is historically and socially
significant to the point that the area including the town Masrur are also known by the
name Barha Bhai. Not much is known about the person of Khawaja Abdul Salam Chishti
except that the tradition says he was commissioned by Khawaja Nizam Uddin Auliya of

Delhi to move to this area for spiritual guidance of the locals.

Gurdawara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur

Baba Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh religion, died at Kartarpur in 1538. While
a small shrine had existed at the site till mid nineteenth century. Consequent upon its
washing away by River Ravi twice or thrice it was shifted to Dera Nanak, presently in
India. Subsequently, in 1920 construction of a Gurdawara was started, courtesy grant

from Raja Patiala. It was completed in 1929. It was perhaps for the alternate shrine at
Dera Nanak built with government grant that the original shrine was neglected and came
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