DERA GHAZI KHAN

town, Punjab province, central Pakistan. The town was founded by Ghazi Khan, son of a Baluchi chieftain and vassal of the Langah sultans of Multan. Incorporated as a municipality in 1867, the town was partially destroyed by a flood of the Indus River in 190809. The new town (founded 1911) is connected by road with Multan over the Taunsa Barrage and by a bridge of boats at low water over the Indus with Ghazi Ghat and Muzaffargarh. Rug and carpet weaving and the production of wooden toys were traditional industries; newer industries include rice and flour milling, cotton textiles, and rope and fibre products. The town has a hospital and a college affiliated with the University of the Punjab. Wheat, millet, and dates are the chief crops grown in the surrounding area, and cattle breeding is widespread. Pop. (1981) town, 102,007.