Faisalabad s a city located in 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 district, on the south by Toba Tek Singh district and on the west by Jhang district.
Faisalabad, formerly known as Lyallpur, is situated about 80 miles from Lahore. Being the nucleus of the textile industry in the area, Faisalabad is aptly known as the Manchester of Pakistan. It is a city and division of the Punjab province connected by air, rail and road with Multan and Lahore and by air with Lahore and Karachi. Founded in 1890, Lyallpur was named after Sir Charles James Lyall, the lieutenant governor of Punjab from 1887 to 1892. On September 1st 1997, it was re-named Faisalabad to perpetuate the memory of King Faisal of Saudi Arabia. Before 1947, Faisalabad was a small beautiful town, but the rapid growth has affected its looks. In 1947, Faisalabad had a population of 71,000 and within four years it had gone upto 4,21,000. Today, its population is well over 11,00,000.
Faisalabad is the hub of textile production in Pakistan. It offers a huge agricultural market bearing the oldest agricultural university of Pakistan. Other Industries may include chemical fertilizers, synthetic fibers, drugs and pharmaceuticals, canned products, ghee (clarified butter), oil, soap, textiles, hosiery, sugar, and flour. It offers a lucrative wholesale Market for cloth and grain. Amongst the chief crops are; wheat, cotton, and sugarcane. Faisalabad has transformed into a modern city envisaging the contrasts of the old and new traditions and cultures. It maintains a number of recreational and educational facilities. Its famous "Clock Tower" (a must-see) is located in the center of the main city connecting 8 bazars at one time thereby offering a network of shopping centers, delicious eateries and lots and lots of fun for tourists. Speaking of travellers, Faisalabad provides a variety of parks, schools and universities, eateries and bazars thus offering an exotic mix of tradition, enjoyment and business!
Faisalabad has several higher education institutions including:
The city has a number of sites of interest including several colonial-era buildings, two major sports stadiums, several public parks and amusement parks.
Faisalabad has a strong industrial base including textiles, jewelery, 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 shoppings plazas amid investment from the United Arab Emirates as well as some European firms. The projects currently under construction include;
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. There is also a public bus network within the city and many privately operated rickshaws, auto-rickshaws and taxis. The central railway station connects Faisalabad with all major cities and most minor towns and cities of Pakistan.
Faisalabad, formerly known as Lyallpur, is situated about 80 miles from Lahore. Being the nucleus of the textile industry in the area, Faisalabad is aptly known as the Manchester of Pakistan. It is a city and division of the Punjab province connected by air, rail and road with Multan and Lahore and by air with Lahore and Karachi. Founded in 1890, Lyallpur was named after Sir Charles James Lyall, the lieutenant governor of Punjab from 1887 to 1892. On September 1st 1997, it was re-named Faisalabad to perpetuate the memory of King Faisal of Saudi Arabia. Before 1947, Faisalabad was a small beautiful town, but the rapid growth has affected its looks. In 1947, Faisalabad had a population of 71,000 and within four years it had gone upto 4,21,000. Today, its population is well over 11,00,000.
Faisalabad is the hub of textile production in Pakistan. It offers a huge agricultural market bearing the oldest agricultural university of Pakistan. Other Industries may include chemical fertilizers, synthetic fibers, drugs and pharmaceuticals, canned products, ghee (clarified butter), oil, soap, textiles, hosiery, sugar, and flour. It offers a lucrative wholesale Market for cloth and grain. Amongst the chief crops are; wheat, cotton, and sugarcane. Faisalabad has transformed into a modern city envisaging the contrasts of the old and new traditions and cultures. It maintains a number of recreational and educational facilities. Its famous "Clock Tower" (a must-see) is located in the center of the main city connecting 8 bazars at one time thereby offering a network of shopping centers, delicious eateries and lots and lots of fun for tourists. Speaking of travellers, Faisalabad provides a variety of parks, schools and universities, eateries and bazars thus offering an exotic mix of tradition, enjoyment and business!
Education
Faisalabad has several higher education institutions including:
- Institute of Cost and Management Accountant of Pakistan
- Punjab Group of Colleges
- University of Agriculture, Faisalabad
- Punjab Medical College
- Government College University Faisalabad
- National Textile University
- University of Faisalabad
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.
- Alams Interiors
- Faisalabad Clock Tower
- Victoria Memorial Chowk
- Chenab Club
- Faisalabad Railway Station
- Madni Mosque Samanabad
- Dakkan Park Samanabad
- AM TEX Waterfall
- Gumti Water Fountain
- Qaisery Gate (Rail Bazar)
- Rex City
- Faisalabad Hockey Stadium
- Iqbal Cricket Stadium
- Mansoorabad
- Jinnah Garden
- Sindbad
- China Town
- Batala Colony
- Dhobi Ghat Ground
- Ladies Garden
- Eight Bazar
Development
Faisalabad has a strong industrial base including textiles, jewelery, 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 shoppings plazas amid investment from the United Arab Emirates as well as some European firms. The projects currently under construction include;
- Ryaz ul Jannah
- Paradise inn Hotel and shopping mall
- Gulshan e Madina
- Motorway City
- Regent Mall
- Gateway Towers
- Ripple Plaza
- Kohinoor One
- Do Burj
- Center Point
- The One
- Sitara Sapna City
- Sitara Shopping Mall
- Dubai Shopping Mall
- Media Com Trade City
- Khan plaza
- Mediacom Shopping Mall
- Telecom Meadows
- Time Square Shopping Mall
- Imax theatre
Transport
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. There is also a public bus network within the city and many privately operated rickshaws, auto-rickshaws and taxis. The central railway station connects Faisalabad with all major cities and most minor towns and cities of Pakistan.
