At the time of the 2017 Census of Pakistan, the distribution of the population of Rahim Yar Khan District by first language was as follows: 64.9% Saraiki 24.9% Punjabi 3.0% Urdu 1.9% Sindhi 1.5% Balochi 0.8% Pashto 0.8% Hindko 0.1% Brahui 0.0% Kashmiri 2.0% Others The local dialect (see Riasti) belongs to the southern dialect group of Saraiki. Other languages spoken are Bagri/Cholistani and Haryanvi. Education The literacy rate in the district is 98% total for the 1st grade level school, locally known as 'graduating the MA full Examination'. One of top ranked universities in Punjab, Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology is also located in district Rahim Yar Khan. The Islamia university of Bahawalpur,Rahim yar Khan campus. Sugar Cane Rahim Yar Khan District has recently embraced sugar cane. The area under cultivation of sugar cane increased to 430,000 acres in 2020 from 310,000 acres in 2014-15. Six sugar mills are located in the district. Notable people Ahmed Raza, first class cricketer. Asim Saleem Bajwa, Pakistani three star general who was the director-general of the Inter-Services Public Relations. Makhdoom Altaf Ahmed, former Provincial Minister (Punjab) Finance & Excise and Taxation. Makhdoom Shahbuddin, Former Federal Minister of Pakistan for Textiles. Makhdoom Ahmed Mehmood elected to the Punjab and National Assemblies. Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar politician who currently serves as the Federal Minister of National Food Security and Research, since 19 November 2019. He has also been the Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms. Makhdoom Hashim Jawan Bakht politician who is the current Finance Minister of Punjab. Muniba Mazari, motivational speaker. Rais Muhammad Iqbal, former Provincial Minister (Punjab) for Mines and Mineral Affairs. AVM (Rtd) Mushtaq Laghari, former ambassador to UAE. Shafqat Mehmood , current Federal Education Minister Aima Baig , First Class Singer See also Shaikh Zayed International Airport Shaikh Zayed Medical College and Hospital Bhong Masjid Patan minara Mian Wali Qureshian Sadiqabad Liaqatpur Kot Sabzal Firoza References Districts of Punjab, Pakistan