Khwazakhela
Khwaza Khela Tehsil
تحصیل خوازہ خیلہ خوازه خېله تحصیل | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates: 34°56′N 72°28′E / 34.933°N 72.467°E | |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Province | Khyber Pakhtunkhwa |
| District | Swat |
| Tehsil | Khwazakhela Tehsil |
| Government | |
| • Tehsil Chairman | Aftab Ali Khan (PTI) |
| Area | |
• Total | ... km2 (0 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,151 m (3,776 ft) |
| Population (2023) | |
• Total | 57,113 |
| Time zone | UTC+5 (PST) |
Khwazakhela (Urdu: خوازہ خیلہ, Pashto: خوازه خېله) is a town and an administrative subdivision (tehsil) of Swat District in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.
Khwazakhela town has 16 villages collectively called the Azikhel. The majority of the population is Yusufzai, with Swati and Gujjar as minorities. The famous clans living in Khwazakhela are Saidan, Khadikhel, Umikhels, Zareefkhel, Barakhel, Hamzakhel and Tindakhel.
Khwazakhela is famous for the graveyards of awliya (saints). Some of which are Mian Baba, Derai Baba, Chinar Baba and Byne Baba. Mian Baba and Byne Baba were famous warriors of Syed dynasty and Chinar Baba was from Shamakhel dynasty.
Khwazakhela is at centre of Swat. It has its northeastern border with Shangla valley which is a major trade route for the people of Shangla. On the northern side, it shares its border with Behrain Tehsil. The southern border lies in association with Charbagh Tehsil. The western lies along the bank of Swat River.
Khwazakhela is the second largest marketplace and business hub in Swat after Mingora. Thousands of people from Kalam, Kohistan, and Shangla come to Khwazakhela for shopping.
Khwazakhela is surrounded by lush green mountains on its easters side, with the elevation gradually descending until it reaches the Swat River on its southern side.
Lwar-e-Jamat Mosque is one of the most historical sites in Swat, built in the 12th century by Mahmud of Ghazni during his visit to the region.
This area was among the least affected during the peak of the Taliban insurgency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.