Gujranwala City Profile by Directory Pakistan.
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Gujranwala is a city and capital of Gujranwala Division located in Punjab, Pakistan. It is also known as “City of Wrestlers” and is quite famous for its food. The city is Pakistan’s 5th most-populous metropolitan area, as well as 5th most populous city proper. Founded in the 18th century, Gujranwala is a relatively modern town compared to the many nearby millennia-old cities of northern Punjab. The city served as the capital of the Sukerchakia Misl state between 1763 and 1799, and is the birthplace of the founder of the Sikh Empire, Maharaja Ranjit Singh.Gujranwala is now Pakistan’s third largest industrial centre after Karachi and Faisalabad, and contributes 5% of Pakistan’s national GDP. The city is part of a network of large urban centers in north-east Punjab province that forms one of Pakistan’s mostly highly industrialized regions. Along with the nearby cities of Sialkot and Gujrat, Gujranwala forms part of the so-called “Golden Triangle” of industrial cities with export-oriented economies.
Gujranwala is a city and capital of Gujranwala Division located in Punjab, Pakistan. It is also known as “City of Wrestlers” and is quite famous for its food. The city is Pakistan’s 5th most-populous metropolitan area, as well as 5th most populous city proper. Founded in the 18th century, Gujranwala is a relatively modern town compared to the many nearby millennia-old cities of northern Punjab. The city served as the capital of the Sukerchakia Misl state between 1763 and 1799, and is the birthplace of the founder of the Sikh Empire, Maharaja Ranjit Singh.Gujranwala is now Pakistan’s third largest industrial centre after Karachi and Faisalabad, and contributes 5% of Pakistan’s national GDP. The city is part of a network of large urban centres in north-east Punjab province that forms one of Pakistan’s mostly highly industrialized regions. Along with the nearby cities of Sialkot and Gujrat, Gujranwala forms part of the so-called “Golden Triangle” of industrial cities with export-oriented economies.Gujranwala city, northeastern Punjab province, northeastern Pakistan. The city is connected by rail and the Grand Trunk Road with Peshawar and Lahore. An agricultural marketing centre (grains, melons, sugarcane), it is also a commercial and industrial centre, manufacturing ceramics, iron safes, and copper, brass, and aluminum utensils.
The exact origins of Gujranwala are unclear. Unlike the ancient nearby cities of Lahore, Sialkot, and Eminabad, Gujranwala is a relatively modern city. It may have been established as a village in the middle of the 16th century. Locals traditionally believe that Gujranwala’s original name was Khanpur Shansi, though recent scholarship suggests that the village was possibly Serai Gujran instead – a village once located near what is now Gujranwala’s Khiyali Gate that was mentioned by several sources during the 18th century invasion of Ahmad Shah Abdali.The area was captured by the British Empire in 1848, and rapidly developed thereafter.Gujranwala was incorporated as a municipality in 1867 and the city’s Brandreth, Khiyali, and Lahori Gates built atop the site of Sikh-era gates were completed in 1869 A new clocktower was built in central Gujranwala to mark the city’s centre in 1906.Christian Missionaries were brought to the region during British colonial rule, and Gujranwala became home to numerous churches and schools The city’s first Presbyterian Church was established in 1875 in the Civil Lines area – a settlement built one mile north of the old city to house Gujranwala’s European population. A theological seminary was established in 1877, and a Christian technical school in 1900
The area was captured by the British Empire in 1848, and rapidly developed thereafter Gujranwala was incorporated as a municipality in 1867 and the city’s Brandreth, Khiyali, and Lahori Gates built atop the site of Sikh-era gates were completed in 1869 A new clocktower was built in central Gujranwala to mark the city’s centre in 1906.
Christian missionaries were brought to the region during British colonial rule, and Gujranwala became home to numerous churches and schools The city’s first Presbyterian Church was established in 1875 in the Civil Lines area – a settlement built one mile north of the old city to house Gujranwala’s European population. A theological seminary was established in 1877, and a Christian technical school in 1900s.
Sikh Era:
In 1707, with the death of the last great Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, Mughal power began to rapidly weaken especially following Nader Shah’s invasion in 1739 and then completely dissipated from the Punjab region due to the invasions of Ahmad Shah Abdali who raided Punjab many times between 1747 and 1772 causing much devastation and chaos.
Abdalis control over the region began to weaken in the latter part of the 18th century with the rise of the Sikh Misls (independent chieftainships usually consisting of the chief’s kinsmen) who overran Punjab.Charat Singh, ruler of the Sukerchakia Misl, established himself in a fort which he had built in the area of Gujranwala between 1756 and 1758.
Following the Independence of Pakistan and the aftermath of the Partition of British India in 1947, Gujranwala was site of some of the worst rioting in Punjab. Large swathes of Hindu and Sikh localities were attacked or destroyed. Rioters in the city gained notoriety for attacks, with the city’s Muslim Lohar (blacksmiths) particularly carrying out brutal attacks. In retaliation for attacks against a trainload of refugees by Sikh rioters at Amritsar railway station on 22 September that resulted in the deaths of 3,000 Muslims over the course of three hours, rioters from Gujranwala attacked a trainload of Hindus and Sikhs fleeing towards India on 23 September, killing 340 refugees in the nearby town of Kamoke. Partition riots in Gujranwala resulted in systematic violence against the city’s minorities, and may constitute an act of ethnic cleansing by modern standards.Gujranwala became home to Muslim refugees who were fleeing from the widespread anti-Muslim pogroms that depopulated eastern Punjab in India of almost its entire Muslim population. Refugees in Gujranwala were mainly those who had fled from the cities of Amritsar, Patiala, and Ludhiana in what had become the Indian state of East.
Muslim Refugees Influx:
The influx of Muslim refugees into Gujranwala drastically altered the city’s form. By March 1948, over 300,000 refugees had been resettled in Gujranwala District. Many refugees found post-Partition Gujranwala lacking in opportunities, causing some to move south to Karachi. The refugee population mostly settled in localities that were mostly non-Muslim, like Gobindgarh, Baghbanpura and Nanakpura.
Suburban districts were rapidly laid, including Satellite Town in 1950, which was designed mostly to house wealthy and upper middle class refugees D-Colony was built in 1956 for poorer Kashmiri refugees and Model Town in the 1960s. The city experienced strong industrial growth during this period. In 1947, there were only 39 registered factories – a number which rose to 225 by 1961. The city’s colonial era metal-working industry continued to grow, while the city became a center of hosiery manufacturing that was run by refugees from Ludhiana. The city’s jewelry-trade had been run by Hindus but came under the control of refugees from Patiala.
Gujranwala’s economy continued to grow into the 1970s and 1980s. New development continues, such as the opening of a 5774-foot long flyover that functions as an elevated urban expressway as well as the nearby Sialkot International Airport which serves the entire Golden Triangle region, and is Pakistan’s first privately owned commercial airport. Institutions of higher learning have also been established in the city since independence. The Sialkot-Lahore Motorway, opened in 2020,
Gujranwala Old Names:
Locals traditionally believe that Gujranwala’s original name was Khanpur Sansi, though recent scholarship suggests that the village was possibly Serai Gujran instead – a village once located near what is now Gujranwala’s Khiyali Gate that was mentioned by several sources during the 18th Century invasion of Ahmad Shah Abdali.
Gujranwala Connected Doabs:
Gujranwala sits at the heart of the Rechna Doab, a strip of land between the Chenab in the north, and Ravi River in the south. Gujranwala is also part of the Majha, a historical region of northern Punjab. The city was built upon the plains of Punjab, and the surrounding region is an unbroken plain devoid of topographical diversity
Gujranwala is in the Rechna Doab region of Punjab, marked in grey.
Gujranwala is 226 metres (744 ft) above sea level, sharing borders with Gakhar Mandi and several towns and villages. About 80 kilometres (50 mi) south is the provincial capital, Lahore. Sialkot and Gujrat lie to its north. Gujrat connects Gujranwala with Bhimber, Azad Kashmir, and Sialkot connects it with Jammu. About 160 kilometres (99 mi) southwest is Faisalabad. To its west are Hafizabad and Pindi Bhattian, which connect Gujranwala to Jhang, Chiniot and Sargodha.
Gujranwala has a hot semi arid climate (BSh according to the Köppen-Geiger system, and changes throughout the year. During summer (June to September), the temperature reaches 36–42 °C (97–108 °F). The coolest months are usually November to February when the temperature can drop to an average of 7 °C (45 °F). The highest precipitation months are usually July and August when the monsoon reaches Punjab. During the other months, the average rainfall is about 25 millimetres (0.98 in). October to May have little rainfall.
Language:
At the time of the 2017 census, the population was 5,011,066, of which 2,528,990 were males and 2,481,457 females. Rural population was 2,061,948 while the urban population was 2,949,118. Islam is the predominant religion with 96.28% of the population while Christians are 3.60% of the population
At the time of the 2017 census, 95.65% of the population spoke Punjbai and 2.51% Urdu as their first language.
Population:
According to census 2017 total population of District Gujranwala is 5014196 . Gujranwala City: 73,940 Gujranwala Municipal Corporation: 2,027,001 Gujranwala Cantonment: 137,302 • In Total population males are 2533117 , female are 2480828 and She-male / Transgender are 251 . • Average annual growth rate is 2.06 from 1998 to 2017.
Gujranwala is the 5th largest city in Pakistan by population. Since the 2000s the population growth rate of Gujranwala has averaged at 3.0%. The population growth rate is projected to slow down to 2.51% by 2035
Historical population | ||
Year | Pop. | ±% |
1881 | 22,884 | — |
1891 | 26,785 | +17.0% |
1901 | 29,224 | +9.1% |
1911 | 29,472 | +0.8% |
1921 | 37,887 | +28.6% |
1941 | 85,000 | +124.4% |
1951 | 121,000 | +42.4% |
1961 | 196,000 | +62.0% |
1972 | 324,000 | +65.3% |
1981 | 601,000 | +85.5% |
1998 | 1,133,000 | +88.5% |
2000 | 1,208,940 | +6.7% |
2010 | 1,647,271 | +36.3% |
2020 | 2,229,220 | +35.3% |
Industrial importance of Gujranwala:
Gujranwala is the Pakistan’s third largest centre of industrial production, after Karachi and Faisalabad. Gujranwala, along with the nearby industrial cities of Sialkot and Gujarat city, form what is sometimes referred to as the Golden Triangle in reference to their relative prosperity and export-oriented industrial base The city’s industries employ up to 500,000 people while the city’s GDP makes up 5% of Pakistan’s overall economy
An estimated 6,500 small and medium enterprises, 25,000 cottage units, and some large factories, are located in and around the city as of 2002 -and are engaged in the manufacture of a wide variety of goods. The city is the centre for manufacture and export of sanitary fittings and wares in Pakistan, with over 200 producers based in Gujranwala. More than 60 producers of auto parts are found in the city The city is well known as a centre for manufacturing electric fans – with 150 small and medium enterprises in Gujranwala tied to the electric fan industry The city is Pakistan’s third largest centre for iron and steel manufacturing – reflecting Gujranwala’s historic association with metalworking since the migration of the Lohar clan of blacksmiths to the city during the colonial era The city has been a centre of hosiery-manfuacture since the migration of refugees primarily from Ludhiana in 1947
Textiles, apparel, yarn, and other textile goods are also produced in Gujranwala. Other manufacturing based in the city include rice, plastic, cutlery, coolers and heaters, agricultural tools and equipment, carpets, glass goods, surgical equipment, leather products, and machinery for military uses, domestic appliances, motorcycles, and food products.The rural regions surrounding Gujranwala are heavily engaged in the production of wheat and are yield more wheat per acre than the national average.
In 2010, Gujranwala was rated number 6 out of Pakistan’s top 13 cities in order of ease of doing business by the World Bank.
GDP Generated by Gujranwala City:
Gujranwala is the Pakistan’s third largest centre of industrial production, after Karachi and Faisalabad. Gujranwala, along with the nearby industrial cities of Sialkot and Gujrat City, form what is sometimes referred to as the Golden Triangle in reference to their relative prosperity and export-oriented industrial base.The city’s industries employ up to 500,000 people,while the city’s GDP makes up 5% of Pakistan’s overall economy
An estimated 6,500 small and medium enterprises 25,000 cottage units, and some large factories, are located in and around the city -and are engaged in the manufacture of a wide variety of goods.
Hospital road and Sialkot road, Church road, Gujranwala Road
Gujranwala Flyover
Gujranwala is situated along the historic Grand Trunk Road that connects Peshawar to Islamabad and Lahore. The Grand Trunk Road also provides access to the Afghan border via the Khyber Pass, with onward connections to Kabul and Central Asia via the Salang Pass. The Karakoram Highway provides access between Islamabad and western China, and an alternate route to Central Asia via Kashgar, China.
Gujranwala is connected to Lahore by Sialkot-Lahore Motorway. The motorway passes east of the Grand Trunk Road, and terminates near the Sialkot International Airport. Plans for the motorway’s extension farther north to Kharian near Gujrat City were announced in late 2017.
Gujranwala Railway Station
Gujranwala railway station serves as a stop along Pakistan’s 1,687 kilometres (1,048 mi)-long Main Line-1 railway that connects the city to the port city of Karachi to Peshawar.
The entire Main Line-1 railway track between Karachi and Peshawar is to be overhauled at a cost of $3.65 billion for the first phase of the project, with completion by 2021.Upgrading of the railway line will permit train travel at speeds of 160 kilometres per hour, versus the average 60 to 105 km per hour speed currently possible on existing track.
Air:
Gujranwala has no airport of its own. The city is instead served by airports in nearby cities, including the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore that offers non-stop flights to Europe, Canada, Central Asia, East Asia, and Southeast Asia. Gujranwala is also serviced by the nearby Sialkot International Airport – Pakistan’s first privately owned commercial airport. Built-in 2007, the airport offers non-stop service to the Middle East, as well as domestic locations.
Gujranwala has a small scale centrally managed public transportation system known as a city tour. It has its routes from Wazirabad to Kamoke mainly extended on GT road only. Uber became available in Gujranwala in early 2017 and was soon followed by Careem.
Administration:
Gujranwala and its environs were amalgamated into a district in 1951. The Gujranwala Development Authority was established in 1989 to oversee economic and infrastructure development in the city. The city is currently administered by the City District Government Gujranwala (CDGG) and Gujranwala Metropolitan Corporation, while development is generally under the office of the Gujranwala Development Authority. In 2007, the city was re-classified as a city district with 7 constituent municipalities: Aroop, Kamonke, Khiali Shahpur, Nandipur, Nowshera Virkan, Qila Didar Singh, and Wazirabad Towns.
In December 2019, Gujranwala Municipal Corporation was upgraded into Metropolitan Corporation under Punjab Local Government Act 2019.
Education:
University of Punjab, Gujranwala Campus.Gujranwala city’s adult literacy rate in 2008 was 73%, which rose to 87% in the 15–24 age group throughout Gujranwala District, including rural areas. The city is also home to the Gujranwala Theological Seminary which was established in Sialkot in 1877, and moved to Gujranwala in 1912. The Army Aviation School of the Pakistan Air Force was moved to Gujranwala in 1987 from Dhamial. Many institutes are established for higher education such as:
Gujranwala has the multipurpose Jinnah Stadium, which has capacity of 20,000 spectators. It has hosted matches of the 1987 and 1996 Cricket World Cup.
District Statistics:
Area: | 2,433 Sq. KM |
Population: | 4.18 (million people as per census 2017) |
Population Density: | 1,718 per Sq. km |
Revenue Tehsils: | 04 |
National Assembly Constituencies: | 05 |
Provincial Assembly Constituencies | 12 |
Rural Local Governments: | 01 |
Villages / Revenue Estates: | 840 |
Police Stations | 24 |
Police Posts: | 09 |
Natural Resources:
Rock Salt: | 04 |
Argillaceous Clay: | 02 |
Limestone: | 06 |
Ordinary Sand: | 08 |
Sand Stone: | 06 |
Coal: | 129 |
Silica Sand: | 78 |
Rock Salt: | 15 |
Fireclay: | 41 |
Limestone: | 45 |
Bauxite: | 19 |
Bentonite: | 06 |
Gypsum: | 60 |
Ocher: | 09 |
Iron Ore: | 02 |
Marble: | 01 |
Dolomite: | 02 |
Latrite: | 09 |
China Clay: | 01 |
Chalk: | 01 |
Agriculture
Total Area: | 906,352 |
Cultivated Area: | 778,210 |
Uncultivated Area: | 128,142 |
Forest: | 2,084 |
Cultivable wasteland: | 49,162 |
Not available for cultivation: | 76,896 |
Hospitals in Gujranwala:
There are almost 172 best hospitals in Gujranwala having all the health facilities.
Using the Sehat Insaf Card or health card, patients will be able to avail free medical treatment in various empanelled hospitals across Punjab (Pakistan) in different districts like Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Okara, Sheikhupura, Gujrat, Kasur, Bahawalpur, Sialkot, according to the Sehat Sahulat .
Excise and Taxation Department:
Gujranwala Director Excise & Taxation Department is handling all the taxation system with department of Gujranwala Districts Courts, Gujranwala Punjab, Pakistan.
Important Places:
Nishan-e-Manzil Gujranwala is a famous landmark and a well-known point of interest of this city which is visited by a number of people on daily basis. This beautiful place is situated in Gujranwala Cantonment.
Gujranwala Railway Station:
Gujranwala Railway Station is located in Gujranwala city. Gujranwala is the 5th largest city of Pakistan and this junction has a high footfall daily while people travel to different cities of the country.
Liaquat Park:
Liaquat Park (Company Bagh) is a park located in Gujranwala which is famous for having a tree that is probably hundreds of years old. It stands in the middle of a large field in the park.
Sheranwala Bagh:
The Sheranwala Bagh Baradari is a garden pavilion reportedly built by Mahan Singh, the father of the famous Maharaja Ranjit Singh. It is a classic baradari, which literally means ’12 doors’ in reference to the three open bays on each side of the structure.
Gulshan Iqbal Park:
Gulshan Iqbal Park is one and only park for Gujranwala people who want to enjoy outdoor activities with their families. Children enjoy swings, train ride and other fun-filled activities in the playing area. Situated in the suburban locality of Shaheen Abad G.T. Road, the park has a big ground for jogging and picnics.
Gurdwara Rori Sahib:
Gurdwara Rori Sahib, (Front View) Eimanabad Gujranwala Pakistan. This Gurdwara was built during the era of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (November, 1780 – June, 1839). Gurdwara Rori Sahib is the sacred shrine which marks the site where, according to tradition, Guru Nanak after the destruction of the town had stayed with Bhai Lalo. Here the Guru had to sit and lie on a hard bed of pebbles (small stones) as alluded to in Bhai Gurdas Varan.
Along the east side of a small reservoir built in the era of Jahangir stands a modest one-story brick mosque. The Pakistani architect and historian Kamil Khan Mumtaz believes that it was constructed in the Lodhi era (1451-1525), suggesting that it is one of the oldest standing mosques in Pakistan. One unique architectural feature is the use of both squinches and pendentives to bridge the gap between the square prayer chamber and the circular dome.
Gujranwala Chamber of Commerce:
(GCCI) is a large independent networking and business support organization in this part of the country. Representing the interests of thousands of companies, we connect lots of business people every year and offer our members a wide range of practical and professional services.Endeavor to recognize the Business potential of Gujranwala across the world and to raise the voice of its Business Community with the focus on achieving sustainable business environment conducive for the economic development of its hometown.
GCCI is Certified Organization and its mission statement : “Every activity of GCCI is directed towards the promotion and protection of the business interest of its members at national and International levels”
Top Famous Housing Societies in Gujranwala:
Gujranwala Waste Management Company:
In order to provide sustainable, efficient and improved waste management system and services for the city of Gujranwala, Government of Punjab in collaboration with the CDGG, intended to establish a company formed not for profit as a private sector with the name and style of GWMC, under section 42 of the Company Ordinance1984. Which will plan, manage, implement and enforce various programs and projects for improvement of existing SWM system of Gujranwala City. MD is on board since 7th January 2014. On 29th January 2014 SAAMA agreement (Services and Asset Management Agreement) has been signed between City District Government Gujranwala and Gujranwala Waste Management company.
Gujranwala Tannery:
Punjab tanneries are mostly scattered in four main clusters: Sialkot, Multan, Gujranwala and Lahore-Sheikhupura-Muridke, (treated as one cluster). Major tannery agglomerations in Gujranwala referred as “Gujranwala Tannery Cluster”, are located in two different geographical areas. These include ‘Hide market, Ferozwala road’ and ‘Naroki Village Tannery Estate’, at Gujranwala-Sheikhupura road. One individual tannery unit is located in ‘Butranwali’ at Sialkot-Gujranwala road. Out of total 32 tanneries of Gujranwala, 29 units have been ranked as small tanneries where as rest of three tanneries fall under the category of medium units. Except one, all the tanneries of Gujranwala process hides by old tanning method, i.e., vegetable tanning. Sole leather is the major end product of the tanneries of Gujranwala, which is generally supplied to local market.
Games and Gujranwala:
Wrestling is a traditional Game of Gujranwala city, Here the word famous wrestler, The Great Gama and many others were born who won the world wrestling titles. The local and international tourists especially watch these wrestling competitions called Dungles and enquire from the wrestlers about their special diet, they use to strengthen their muscles and stamina
Important Departments of Gujranwala:
The GEPCO (Gujranwala Electric Power Company) supplies the electrical power to commercial and residential sectors. Gujranwala Development Authority (G.D.A.) was created in 1989 under the Punjab Development of Cities Act, 1976 to establish a comprehensive system of Planning & Development in order to improve the quality of life in Gujranwala. The G.D.A. is headed by the Director General, G.D.A. The authority has two wings Urban Developmentand WASA. WASA is headed by Managing Director. Important functionsof GDA are:
Preparation of Development Plans for Gujranwala and preparation of Planning Controls and Building Plans Regulations.Preparation of Annual Development Plans and their execution.
Specialities of Gujranwala:
Issues in Gujranwala:
Issue of Pollution:
Conclusion:
Gujranwala citynow is an agricultural marketing center (grains, melons, sugarcane), it is also a commercial and industrial center, manufacturing ceramics,iron safes, copper, brass, and. This city is a divisional headquarter and is a part of the Punjab Province in Pakistan. It is about 62 kilometres towards the north of the provincial headquarter Lahore and 400 kilometres towards the south of the capital Islamabad. It is connected with other parts of the country by GT Road and rail. It the 5th most populous city and the 3rd largest industrial city of Pakistan. It is a city of about 4.5 million people and is the main manufacturing centre for aluminium and stainless steel utensils, iron safes, handmade carpets, textile.The city has a major issues of smog, pollution and traffic. The city can generate more than this current revenue if these problems are addressed in a proper manner.