The main place to visit in Rajanpur is Kot Mithan, the town of Mithankot on the west bank of the Indus, where the Sufi poet Khwaja Ghulam Farid is buried. Around it the district has the shrine town of Fazilpur, the Mazari sardars' buildings at Rojhan, ancient mounds near Jampur and, in the Sulaiman foothills, Harrand Fort and the hill station of Maari. It is the southwestern corner of Punjab, bordering Sindh and Balochistan, and it sees very few outside visitors.
This post is an overview of what the district's own website and other sources list, and what to check first. We have not visited these places, and several are remote, so treat it as a planning outline, not a route.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| District | Rajanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan division |
| Best known for | Kot Mithan shrine of Khwaja Ghulam Farid |
| Mithankot population (2023 census) | 74,479 |
| Climate | Arid; annual rainfall about 175 mm |
| Hill station | Maari, about 4,800 ft (1,460 m) per the district site |
| Safety | Border district; check current advice before travelling |
Kot Mithan and Mithankot
Mithankot stands on the west bank of the Indus a short distance downstream from where the Panjnad joins it, at the point where Pakistan's five rivers are described as meeting. Most residents are Saraiki or Baloch.
The reason to come is the shrine of Khwaja Ghulam Farid, a 19th-century Chishti Sufi and Saraiki poet. Our Kot Mithan shrine guide covers the building and the road from Multan. If you plan to travel for the festival, read about the Khwaja Ghulam Farid urs, which brings the largest crowds of the year.
The Indus at Mithankot
The Indus riverbank is the other draw, and the Panjnad confluence upstream gives the area its geography. This is farmland watered by canals, growing wheat, sugarcane, cotton and rice. For a quiet look at the river, go to the town's edge in daylight and ask locals which stretches are safe and accessible.
Do not go onto riverine tracks or islands without local knowledge. The Kacha areas of Rajanpur, Rahim Yar Khan and Ghotki have been the target of police operations against bandit gangs in 2026 (see the safety section).
Fazilpur
Fazilpur lies at the centre of the district and is known for the shrine of Hazrat Chan Charagh Shah Sain, also called Ghorrey Shah Sain, according to the district website. It is a local pilgrimage stop rather than a monument. Visit it as you would any shrine: modest dress, covered head and shoes off at the door.
Rojhan and the Mazari buildings
Rojhan, headquarters of Rojhan tehsil, is mainly inhabited by the Mazari tribe. A regional tourism site describes buildings put up by the Mazari nawabs and sardars over the last couple of centuries, including a bungalow called Meeri Bangla and the tombs of the Mazari sardars. We could not confirm opening arrangements or access for visitors, so treat this as a drive-through rather than a destination. It is also in the Kacha belt where operations took place in 2026.
Ancient sites near Jampur and Rajanpur
The district site lists Dillu Roy Theri, a mound at Gadden Wala about 5 km west of Jampur, dated by the district to around 5500 to 6000 BC. It says finds there include pottery, coins and a Buddha figure. There is also a ruined site just outside Rajanpur town, now a graveyard. These are for readers who like archaeology. There are no developed visitor facilities that we could verify.
Harrand Fort and Maari
Harrand Fort sits on the Sulaiman range side of the district, near the Chachar Pass, and is described as British-era; the district site says the site includes older material and points to Arab military presence. Maari is a hill station at about 4,800 feet in the Sulaiman range, with cool summers.
Both are on the edge of the tribal belt and the road to them is remote. We would not recommend them to outsiders without local contacts and a check with the district police first. If your interest is the Sulaiman range, the better-known route from Multan is the road to Fort Munro. See our Multan to Fort Munro guide.
Is Rajanpur safe to visit?
Rajanpur is not named in the UK government's Pakistan travel advice, but it borders Balochistan, which the UK advises against all travel to, and Sindh, where the UK advises against all but essential travel north of Nawabshah. In 2026 Punjab and Sindh police ran a large operation against gangs in the Kacha areas of Rahim Yar Khan, Rajanpur and Ghotki. News reports from February put the number of declared dacoits arrested in Rojhan above 400, and a policeman was killed in one Rojhan operation.
Pakistani visitors travel to Kot Mithan, especially for the urs. Stay on the main roads, drive in daylight, avoid the riverine areas, and check local news and police advice. Overseas visitors should check their own government's advice, which can void travel insurance.
Who should go?
Rajanpur suits people with a specific interest in Saraiki poetry, Sufi shrines or the Indus. It does not suit anyone expecting hotels, guides or a ready-made itinerary. Most visitors do Kot Mithan as a long day from Multan and see little else. For easier trips, our destinations page lists the better-served options, and the Taunsa Barrage wildlife sanctuary is another Indus stop to the north.
Frequently asked questions
What is Rajanpur famous for?
The Kot Mithan shrine of Khwaja Ghulam Farid and the three-day urs held there each year.
What is there to see in Mithankot?
The shrine, the Indus riverbank and, upstream, the Panjnad confluence area. The town is small, and most visitors stay for a few hours.
Is Maari hill station open to tourists?
The district website lists it as a hill station at about 4,800 feet, but we could not confirm facilities or access. Ask the district administration and police before going.
Is Rajanpur safe for tourists?
It needs more care than most of southern Punjab because of its border location and Kacha bandit activity. Check current advice, stay on main roads and travel in daylight.
