Sakesar

Not to be confused with Sakaser or Skesar.

Sakesar (Urdu: سكيسر‎), is a mountain peak which lies on the outer fringes of the Soon Valley in Khushab district in the Punjab Province of Pakistan. It has an height of 1522 m and used to be the summer headquarters for the deputy commissioners of three districts - Campbellpur (now Attock), Mianwali and Sargodha. In view of Sakesar's ideal location and height, the PAF selected it in the late-50s as the site for a high powered radar which would provide air defence cover for the northeastern part of the western wing. The hilltop of Sakesar is located in the Salt Range - starting from Sohawa (in Jhelum District) in the east and spreading westward.

Climate

• May–June Summers Min 15 to 22 °C; Max 28 to 38 °C
• Nov–Feb winters Min –3 to –4 °C; Max 6 to 22 °C
• July-Aug Rainy Season

Important lakes

• Nammal Lake - 40 km North-Northwest of Sakesar
• Uchhali Lake & Khabikki Lake - 13 km and 37 km respectively

Wildlife

WWF Survey carried out in September 2001 indicated that over 60 species of birds (some of them rare ones) and 10 species of mammals exist in and around Sakesar.

Villages

The main villages in the valley are:

Anga, Chitta, Dhadhar, Dhaka, Jaba, Khura, Khabeki,Uchalla, Khotakka, Koradhi, Kufri(currently known as Sadiq Abad), Mardwal, Sabhral, Shakarkot, Sirhaal, Sodhi, Surrakki, Ugali, Noshehra and Uchhali. These all names were given to the areas by the peoples (who migrated to India) here before the separation of Pakistan and India. Some old shrines, temples and buildings are still there in every village. Now soon Velly is famous for fresh vegetables.

PTV re-broadcasting station

Pakistan Television's re-broadcasting centre has been installed to provide terrestrial transmissions coverage to adjoining areas.