Chak, Sindh

Chak is a town situated on the west bank of Indus River in Shikarpur District, Sindh, Pakistan. It is an economic, educational, social and transport hub of the adjoining towns and villages of the region. It is home to a population of more than 40,000 people and is a fast-growing town with good literacy rate and improving infrastructure. Chak also has an important place in Shikarpur District politically, socially and economically. Historically, Chak had been part of Sukkur District but in the late 1970s it was made part of Shikarpur District. Chak shares strong economic and social ties with Sukkur because of the natural geographic and trade route proximity.Origin of the word 'Chak'The word ‘Chak’ is said to be derived from a Sindhi language word ‘chakki’, meaning pot wheel, which is used to make pottery from clay. The clay used to be obtained from the ‘cheeki matti’, the mud from inside the nearby 'Kacha' area, which is the area between two levees of the Indus River bordering the town. It is said that there used to live many potters in the area and the town got its name from the ‘chakki’ (pot wheel) used by these people.ClimateThe climate of Chak is hot and misty during summer days while cold and dry in winter. Generally the summer season commences in March - April and ends before October. January in winter chills from 7 to 22 °C. The summer temperature averages 35 °C though it often shoots up to 45 °C.EconomyAgriculture, retailer shops, jobs in government and private organisations are the main way of living. Whole-sale market is also growing up. The Bhitai Bazar & Bazar-e-Raza running through the heart of the town are the main artery of business of this small but bustling town of the locality, attracting many visitors and customers from nearby towns and villages as well. Many short bazars have also sprung up in the outskirts of the town.