Sonmiani
Sonmiani
Balochi: سونمیانی | |
|---|---|
Village | |
  Sonmiani  Sonmiani | |
| Coordinates: 25°25′20″N 66°36′0″E / 25.42222°N 66.60000°E | |
| Country |  Pakistan |
| Province | Balochistan |
| District | Hub District |
| Tehsil | Sonmiani Tehsil |
| Population (2023) | |
• Village | 3,000 |
| Time zone | UTC+5 (PKT) |
Somiani (Balochi: سونمیانی) is a coastal village in southeastern Balochistan, Pakistan, located approximately 80 kilometres (50 mi) northwest of Karachi in Hub District. It is connected by road to the N-25 National Highway via the town Winder. Located near the delta of the Winder River and spans about 127 acres, with a current population of around 3,000 across over 300 households.[1]
The village lies along the northernmost point of the Arabian Sea, and is known for its scenic Sonmiani Beach, a popular local tourist destination. Sonmiani is part of Sonmiani Tehsil, with nearby Winder serving as the administrative centre.[2]
Sonmiani is notable for its role in Pakistan's space engineering and scientific research at the Sonmiani (space facility). It is also home to the Sonmiani Flight Test Range. In 2019, the Pakistan Economic Coordination Commission has announced plans to build a liquid natural gas (LNG) terminal in the area.[3]
History
[edit]Historically, Sonmiani was a busy seaport, serving as a trade hub for goods from Central Asia destined for ports like Muscat, Karachi, and Bombay.[4] At its peak, the little town hosted a fleet of 500 fishing boats and 250 large trading vessels. The area was also known for its pearl oyster beds and served as a node on the Indo-European Telegraph Line in the 19th century.[5]
The town's decline began following the 1947 partition, when Hindu traders migrated, who were key to the town's commercial life.[1] This was compounded by the silting of the Winder River delta, which blocked access to Sonmiani Port and devastated the local fishing economy. Many residents were forced to relocate to nearby Damb to sustain their livelihoods.[5]
Etymologically, the name "Sonmiani", derived from the words Son (gold) and miani (port),[1] is attributed to two folk origins: one links it to the Sindhi word son (gold), referencing the prosperity and gold taxes collected by the ruling Jam family; another attributes it to a generous local woman named Soan, known for feeding fishermen and travelers.[5]
Longest Sea Route
[edit]Sonmiani is at one end of the world's longest estimated straight-line path over water (32,089.7 kilometres (19,939.6 mi), ending at the Kamchatka Peninsula in the Karaginsky District in Russia).[6]
Port
[edit]Sonmiani Port (Urdu: بندر گاہ سونمیانی) is a proposed fourth international seaport in Sonmiani.[7][8][9][10][11][12][excessive citations]
External links
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c Husain, Shahid (June 2007). "The Golden beach". jang.com.pk. The News International. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ^ Tehsils & Unions in the District of Lasbella - Government of Pakistan Archived 2012-08-05 at archive.today
- ^ Bhutta, Zaffar (25 March 2019). "ECC may allow Bahria Foundation to set up LNG terminal". tribune.com.pk. The Express Tribune. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ^ Swidler, Nina (1992). "Kalat: The Political Economy of a Tribal Chiefdom". American Ethnologist. 19 (3): 553–570. ISSN 0094-0496. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ^ a b c "Study on Knowledge, Attitudes & Practices of Fisherfolk Communities about Fisheries and Mangrove Resouces - Sonmiani (Final Report)" (PDF). wwf.org.pk. WWF Pakistan. 2005. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ^ "Computer scientists have found the longest straight line you could sail without hitting land". echnologyreview.com. MIT Technology Review. 30 April 2018. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ^ Fazl-e-Haider, Syed (23 April 2007). "Survey of Sonmiani sea coast for another port". DAWN.COM.
- ^ "Balochistan to have second seaport in Sonmiani: Musharraf inaugurates Gwadar Port". Brecorder. 21 March 2007.
- ^ "Aladdin Port at Sonmiani". 25 April 2007.
- ^ "Gwadar Port inaugurated: Plan for second port in Balochistan at Sonmiani". 21 March 2007.
- ^ "Musharraf opens Pakistani port and promises another". Reuters. 20 March 2007.
- ^ "Dialogue, NOS, the News International".