is a city located in the
province of
Punjab,
Pakistan. It was
formerly known as Lyallpur. Faisalabad is the
third largest city in
Pakistan with an estimated 2006 population of 2.6 million (city proper). The entire district had a population of about 5.4 million in 1998. It is an important industrial centre located in the
Punjab province, west of
Lahore. The
city-district of Faisalabad is bound on the north by the districts of
Gujranwala and
Sheikhupura, on the east by
Sahiwal, on the south by
Toba Tek Singh and on the west by
Jhang.
History
Faisalabd was once part of ancient district
Jhang and
Sandalbar, a 50-square kilometre part mainly consisted of thick forests and wild tribes. The vast tract from
Shahdara to
Shorekot, Sangla Hill to Toba Tek Singh, is traditionally called Sandalbar. It has been a land of freedom fighters and great lovers - famous among Sikhs and other faiths.The great freedom fighters, such as
Bhagat Singh - came from Bange village, nine kilometres from Jaranwala. The legendary love hero, Mirza Jutt, was born in Moza Danabad, seven kilometres from Jaranwala.The present day city was founded by the British Lieutenant Governor of the Punjab, Sir
Charles James Lyall for whom it was originally named
Lyallpur. Prior to the British making the area into an urban center, it largely consisted of various villages. However, the construction of various canals allowed the area to be irrigated. After the founding of the city, people were invited to the city with promises of land if they were to work it. This allowed the city to grow rapidly.
The city of Lyallpur came into being in 1880 with the city centre designed by Captain Poham Young, to imitate the Union Flag with eight roads radiating from a large clock tower in the centre to eight separate bazaars.
In 1895, the rail link between Wazirabad and Lyallpur was completed. As the progress of colonisation stepped up Lyallpur was given the status of a tehsil of Jhang District and its administration carried on in tents on the old Theh (Mound) of Pucca Mari near Tariqabad. The majestic Clock Tower of Lyallpur was constructed out of the funds raised by the Sikh Zamindars who collected it at a rate of Rs. 18 per square of land. The fund thus raised was handed over to the Municipal Committee which undertook to complete the project.
In 1902, the population of the town had exceeded 4,000. A considerable number of houses and shops to cater to the ordinary needs of the population had constructed. In 1903, decision to have an agricultural college was made. In the very next year, 1904, the new district of Lyallpur was constituted comparing of Tehsils of Lyallpur, Samundri and Toba Tek Singh with a subtehsil at Jaranwala which later turned into a full fledged Tehsil. In 1906, the District Headquarters began to function at Lyallpur and all the bazars and mohallas within the bounds of circular road were nearing completion and city began to spread outside the circular road. The Town Committee which has come into being in 1904, was upgraded as Municipal Committee in 1909 and Deputy Commissioner was declared to be the lst Chairman. In 1916, the grain market saw its shops surging with customers. In the same year the civil Hospital was expanded. With the advent of the World War II, the political awakening sprinkled its influence over the city. Revolutionary meetings were held. Fiery speeches were made. Slogans were written on the walls.
In 1943, Mohammed Ali Jinnah came to Lyallpur and addressed a gathering of over 2 million in Dhobi Ghat Grounds. When Pakistan was accepted as an independent unit, the Muslims of Lyallpur held special prayers and distributed sweets and food among the poor on March 3, 1947.
The city grew into a strong industrial and agricultural centre and on independence of Pakistan it was a major urban area. After independence, the city of Lyallpur marched rapidly on the path of progress. The city which had so far been known for its grain market, became a great commercial and industrial centre. The population of the city which in 1901 hardly touched the figure of a few thousands soared up to millions. Medical and educational level was lifted up. In 1977, the name of the city was changed to Faisalabad, after the name of the late king of Saudi Arabia, Shah Faisal-bin-Abdul Aziz. In 1985, the city was upgraded as a division with the districts of Faisalabad, Jhang and Toba Tek Singh.
Government
Faisalabad city-district formerly comprised six sub-divisions; Faisalabad City, Faisalabad Sadr, Chak Jhumra, Jaranwala, Samundri, and Tandlianwala. In 2005, Faisalabad was reorganised as a
City-District composed of eight autonomous towns, but there are also several unofficial neighbourhoods often considered as towns.
Administrative Towns
Other neighbourhoods
Education
Faisalabad has several higher education institutions including:
- University of Agriculture, Faisalabad
- Government College University Faisalabad
- National Textile University
- University of Faisalabad
- University of Engineering & Technology Faisalabad (UET Fsd)
- NFC Institute of Engineering & Fertilizer Research(Elect,Mech,Chem engineering)
- College of Physicians & Surgeons Pakistan CPSP (MCPS,FCPS) Regional Campus
- Independent medical college (MBBS)
- University medical college (MBBS)
- Punjab medical college (MBBS,BSc Medical Imaging Technology)
- School of Nursing Allied Hospital Faisalabad
- School of Nursing DHQ Hospital Faisalabad
- Faisalabad Institute of Research Sciences & Technology (BSc Biotechnology)
- College of commerce Professionals (CA,PIPFA,ACCA)
- Professionals college of Accountancy (CA,PIPFA,ACCA)
- Skans school of Accountancy (CA,ACCA)
- College of Paramedics Faisalabad
Following colleges are also famous
Hospital
Following major hospitals are here (Hospitals providing tertiary level care)
Famous Industrial Units
There are another thousands of industrial units mainly in Engineering, Textiles, Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals, Foods, Auto etc.
Sites of interest
The city has a number of sites of interest including several colonial-era buildings, two major sports stadiums, several public parks and amusement parks.
Development
Faisalabad has a strong industrial base including textiles, jewellery, home furniture, and pharmaceuticals, assisted by the expanding transport network which includes newly built motorways to
Lahore and
Rawalpindi. Faisalabad is one of the three planned cities of country. The city is also home to numerous colleges and universities such as the Agricultural University and Punjab Medical College. The colonial-era grand clock tower (known locally as
Ghanta Ghar) is located in the centre with eight roads radiating outwards in towards eight bazaars, each with different types of markets and goods. The rise of the
middle class as a result of economic boom has led to major malls and shopping plazas amid investment from the
United Arab Emirates as well as some European firms. The projects currently under construction include Motorway City,
Kohinoor One,
Doburg,
Gateway Towers,
Paradise-Inn Centre Point and
Rehman Heights.
Ghulam Muhammad Abad Colony, is the largest (population wise) colony of Faisalabad city.
Research Institutes
Hotels
Pizza Bars
Fast Foods
Transport
Airport
The
Faisalabad International Airport is approximately ten kilometres from the city centre, and is a major transit point for exporting goods to other parts of Pakistan and abroad. Passenger flights are run by the national flag carrier, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), and several private airlines.
Road transport
There are many roads in Faisalabad which connect Faisalabad with many other cities as well as it has its own fine road network. There is a public bus network within the city and many privately operated
rickshaws,
auto-rickshaws and taxis.
Highways
There are many highways under
NHA which link Faisalabad with other cities of the country. The
M3 access-controlled motorway connects Faisalabad with motorway
M2 near Pindi Bhattian which furthermore connects with Rawalpindi, Lahore etc. There is an expressway which connects Faisalabad with Lahore, Sheikhupura and Mananwala. City is also connected with Sargodha with a highway known as Sargodha-Faisalabad road. Furthermore, motorway
M4 is also under construction which will connect Faisalabad with Multan.
Rail network
The
Central railway station is the main railway station built during the British reign around the nineteenth century. The station is used to take people to all parts of Pakistan from Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Quetta, Peshawar and many more cities and towns of Pakistan.
A large amount of cargo is exported and imported into Faisalabad with many deliveries a day from all parts of the Pakistan.
Famous High Schools
Laboratory High School (LHS) University of Agriculture Faisalabad,
Dar-e-Arqam Boys High School 35 C Peoples Colony,
Muslim High School Tariqabad,
Govt. Comprehensive HIGH SCHOOL Samanabad,
Govt Islamia High School Gatti,
ANMOL PUBLIC SCHOOL,
Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission(PAEC) High school,
SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL,
Divisional Public High School,
Divisional Model College,
Lasalle High School Faisalabad
M C Modle high school
Famous people
- Tipu Sultan Indian freedom fighter (His forefathers belongs to Faisalabad
- Bhagat Singh, freedom fighter and revolutionary
- Milkha Singh, born in Faisalabad left during the Partition of India
- Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, world-renowned musician and Qawwali singer
- Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, world-renowned musician and Qawwali singer
- Abrar ul Haq, Punjabi Bhangra singer.
- Resham, Pakistani film actress.
- Amitabh Bachan, Famous Indian film star (As his mother was Layallpuri)
- Mala, playback singer of Urdu and Punjabi films
- Sir Charles James Lyall - Governor of Punja
- Khalid Maqbool, Governor of the Punjab province
- Shahbaz Ahmed, hockey player
- Sunder Singh Lyallpuri
- Shahid Nazir, played for national cricket team
- Rameez Raja, Famous cricket player.
- Madan Lal Khurana, colourful BJP Politician former Delhi Chief Minister
- Kaleem Saadat, former Chief Air Martial PAF.
- Sultan Ahmad Daudi, member move for freedom of Pakistan and companion of Quaid-e-Azam, still Alive
- Abdul Sattar Kamboh , Principal of M C Modle High School Faisalabad.
- Muhammad Imran, IT consultant in Norway, moved to Norway 10 years ago and is a mill.man now.
- Goher Mumtaz , Lead guitarist, vocalist, composer of Pakistani band Jal.
See also
References
External links