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Larkana

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Larkana is a significant urban center located in the Sindh province of Pakistan.

Facade of the Tomb
Facade of the Tomb

It sits in the northwest portion of Sindh and is part of the Upper Sindh region. The city is situated within the Larkana District. Geographically, it lies on the south bank of the Ghar canal. To the east and south, the historic Indus River flows near the city. Larkana is a major population center in the country. It is the 15th largest city in Pakistan by population. According to the 2023 Census, the city has 551,716 residents. This makes it the 4th most populated city in the Sindh province, following Karachi, Hyderabad, and Sukkur.

Star and Crescent
Star and Crescent

The climate in Larkana is classified as a hot desert climate, known scientifically as BWh. This type of climate borders a hot semi-arid climate, or BSh. Residents experience sweltering summers and mild winters. Rainfall is relatively low on average, but it occurs mainly during the monsoon season from July to September. The highest annual rainfall on record occurred in 2022. During that year, some areas of the city received more than 1000 mm of rain. In contrast, the lowest annual rainfall was recorded in 1938. The highest temperature was recorded on 26 May 2010. The lowest temperature was recorded in January 1929.

Larkana is an important hub for agriculture and local industry. The most famous crop grown in the region is rice. Farmers also cultivate grapes, peas, mustard, and sunflowers. The city is well-connected to help move these products. The Larkana Railway Station is located in the center of the city. Pakistan Railway uses this station to transport agricultural goods to the provincial capital, Karachi. For air travel, the Moenjodaro Airport is located 28 km south of the city. It is about 5 km away from Dokri. Travelers also use land buses to reach major cities like Islamabad, Quetta, and Karachi.

The demographics of the city show a very specific cultural makeup. About 99.3 percent of the population speaks Sindhi as their mother tongue. Small minority groups, such as the Brahui and Baloch, also live in the city. The religious landscape is also quite specific. Most of the population follows Islam.

Christian cross
Christian cross

The city has also been home to Hindus, Christians, and other groups over time. Historical census data from 1881 shows a more diverse religious mix. For example, in 1881, the population included Hindus and Sikhs.

Dharma Wheel (2)
Dharma Wheel (2)

Over the decades, the religious proportions of the city have changed significantly.

Education is a major part of life in Larkana. The city features many public and private institutions for both boys and girls. Some schools have long histories, such as the Government Pilot School, founded in 1926. Higher education is provided by several specialized universities. The University of Larkana was established in 2024 through a merger. This merger included the Sindh University Campus and the Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Agricultural College. There is also the Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University. Chandka Medical College was inaugurated on 20 April 1973 by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. It was the fourth public medical college in Sindh.

Larkana has deep ties to ancient history. It is located near the site of Mohenjo-daro. This site was a major part of the Indus Valley civilization. The city is also known for producing many notable people. These include politicians like Benazir Bhutto, a former prime minister of Pakistan. Other famous figures include the singer Abida Parveen and the comedian Rauf Lala. The city has a strong connection to the history of the Sindh province. Many leaders and scholars have called this region home.

Sports and culture also play a role in the city's identity. Larkana was the birthplace of the Sindh Games. In 2009, it hosted the 12th Sindh Games. This event included sports like football, gymnastics, hockey, and judo. It also featured traditional games such as kodi kodi and malakhara. The city was also home to a cricket team called the Larkana Bulls. For tennis, the Larkana Tennis Association provides the only court in the city. This association helps coach young boys from many different cities.

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🖼️ Images & Media (10)
File:Facade of the Tomb.jpg
Facade of the Tomb.jpg
File:Star and Crescent.svg
Star and Crescent.svg
File:Om.svg
Om.svg
File:Faravahar.svg
Faravahar.svg
File:Christian cross.svg
Christian cross.svg
File:Star_of_David.svg
Star_of_David.svg
File:Jain_Prateek_Chihna.svg
Jain_Prateek_Chihna.svg
File:Dharma_Wheel_(2).svg
Dharma_Wheel_(2).svg
File:Khanda.svg
Khanda.svg
File:Liwa-e-Ahmadiyya_1-2.svg
Liwa-e-Ahmadiyya_1-2.svg
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