What is "makhad"

Makhad (Urdu:''' مکھڈ ''') is a historical town in Attock District in northern Punjab province, Pakistan. It is one of the last towns separating the Punjab from the rugged North-West Frontier Province. The boundary is marked by the fast-flowing Indus River.

In the mid-19th century the town was under the control of Sher Ahmad Khan, the Khan of Makhad. This was the last point reached by the British Indus flotilla of steamboats which once plied the river (Shaw 1998). The town is also home to the Pir of Makhad. From Islamabad, Makhad can be accessed by road by reaching Pindi Gheb via Fateh Jang on GT road. It can also be reached via injra railway station. Though a historically significant town and having the typical rugged beauty of the northern Punjab, Makhad is one of the many towns that would be completely submerged if the controversial Kalabagh Dam is built.

The Piracha tribe, which is one of the largest in Pakistan and is today scattered all over the country and even India, is said to have become a large clan in Makhad in the 10th century. Makhad is also famous in the region for originating a popular desert known as Makhaddi Halwa.