Soan Valley
وادیِ سُون Soon Sakesar Valley وادیِ سُون سکیسر | |
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Coordinates: 32°58′N 72°15′E / 32.967°N 72.250°E | |
Country | Pakistan |
Region | Punjab |
District | Khushab |
Elevation | 1,530 m (5,010 ft) |
Time zone | UTC+5 (PST) |
Area code | 0454 |
Soan Valley (Punjabi, Urdu: وادیِ سُون) also spelt as Soon Valley is in the north west of Khushab District, Punjab, Pakistan. Its largest settlement is the town of Naushera.[1][2][3][4] The valley extends from the village of Padhrar to Sakesar, the highest peak in the Salt Range. The valley is 35 miles (56 km) long and has an average width of 9 miles (14 km).[1] It covers a 300-square-mile (780 km2) area. Soon Valley has a number of lakes, waterfalls, jungle, natural pools and ponds. The valley has been settled since ancient times, most recently by the Awan tribe, which still resides in the valley.[5][6]
The peak of Mount Sakesar is at 5,010 feet (1,530 m) above sea level. It was once the summer headquarters of the Deputy Commissioners of three districts – Campbellpur (now Attock), Mianwali and Shahpur (now Sargodha). It is the only mountain in this part of the Punjab which receives snowfall in winter. In the late 1950s, the Pakistan Air Force placed PAF Base Sakesar, a radar station on Sakesar to monitor airspace over north-eastern Pakistan. Also on the mountain is a Pakistan Television Corporation transmission center.[7]