Faisalabad Travel Guide

The city of Faisalabad is not more than a century old. Just hundred years back this region was the center of keeping livestock. This city was irrigated in 1892 when Jhang & Gogera branches were supplied water. The foundation of first ever-residential area was laid in 1895. Its main purpose was the construction of a market. During those days, the area across the river Chenab was called “Sandal Bar”. Before the establishment of Lyallpur City the ancient residential area was called “Pakka Marri” now known as “Pakki Marri”. The caravans used to stay at this place while traveling from Jhang to Lahore. The English travellers of those times wanted to convert this area into a city. In the beginning the small establishment was called “Chenab Canal Colony” which was later named “Lyallpur” after the name of Governor of Punjab Lt. General Sir James B Lyall. The foundation of Lyallpur was laid in 1896. Its famous clock tower was built on a well. It was completed in 1906. The construction of this clock tower was completed under the supervision of Ghulab Khan who belonged to the family who built Taj Mahal in Agra. The clock was brought from Bombay. It is believed that the clock tower was built in the memory of Queen Victoria after her death.

By the time this tower was built the eight bazaars were already operational. The map of Faisalabad is just the copy of British flag Union jack designed by an architect Desmond Yong. However, the real design on which this city is planned was of Sir Ganga Ram, who was a famous town planner of his time. The total area of 110 sq. acres was used to build eight bazaars & clock tower in a round shape. All these eight bazaars are connected with each other through another bazaar, which is called Goal Bazaar.

Historical Background Before Independence  

1-     The city of Lyallpur , multicolored jewel of the lower Chenab organization area, came into being in 1880.

2-     The city which is now well known as "Manchester of Pakistan" for its industrial activity, was nothing but a desolate tract of land 100 years age. It did not rain here for weeks together and when it rained, the water vanished in the city land in no time. There was no village nearby.

3-     The villages of Dodiwala and Paokianwala which shelter thousands of inhabitants these days, were nothing but a group of a few cottages.

4-     Pucca Mari was place of rest for those who traveled from district Jhang to District Lahore.

5-     It was in 1885 that the Deputy Commissioner Jhang, on his way to Lahore,broke his journey near the Theh of Pucca Mari'. The Deputy Commissioner after resting for a while set out for walk, along with the Tehsildar of Chiniot, towards the west and returned quite late in the evening. He spent the night and rode for Lahore on the next day morning.

6-     After about 6 months, there dawned a morning when the Then of Pucca Mari saw some government officials pitching tents and making other camping arrangements. In the evening, there arrived the caravan of Deputy Commissioner, the Colony Assistant of Jhang and their subordinate officials. All the barren and desolate tract of land situated to the west of Pucca Mari was surveyed and marked here and there in three days. In the beginning, there was only a few huts and cottages nestled beside the Theh of Pucca Mari.

7-     Later with the construction of Chenab canal, more and more people were attracted. The proper city was founded in 1892.The Tehsildar of Chiniot, recommended to name this township after PuccaMar but the Deputy Commissioner Jhang prevailed upon him at the name of the then Lt. Governor of the Punjab, Sir James Lyall, who let it be named after him. The famous Philanthropist, Sir Ganga Ram was assigned to draft its plan. After approval of draft Sir Ganga Ram was given five squares of lane as reward.

8-     In 1895, the rail link between Wazirabad and Lyallpur was effected. The building of Railway Station wanted time, therefore, a Goods train wagon served as Lyallpur Railway Station. Lyallpur was given the status of Tehsil of District Jhang and its administration carried on the tents on the old Theh (Mound) of Pucca Mari near Tariqabad.

9-     The Majestic Clock Tower of Lyallpur was constructed out of the funds raised by the 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 got it completed.

10-    In 1902, the population of the town had exceeded 4,000.

11-    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.

12-    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.

13-    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.

14-    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.

15-    In 1943, the late Quaid-e-Azam came to Lyallpur and addressed a gathering of over 2 lakh in Dhobi Ghat Grounds.

Historical Background After Independence

1-     After the independence, the city of Lyallpur marched rapidly on the path of progress.

2-     The city which had so far been known for its grain market, became a great commercial and industrial centre.

3-     The population of the city which in 1901 hardly touched the figure of a few thousands soared up to lacks. Medical and educational level was lifted up.

4-     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.

5-     In 1985, the city was upgraded as a division with the districts of Faisalabad, Jhang and Toba-Tek Singh.

6-           Faisalabad district has made rapid strides in the field of industry after independence. It is now called the "Manchester of Asia" for its extensive development of textile industry

Communication: The district is connected by following railway lines.

Faisalabad-Gojra-Shorkot-Khanewal Railway Line, Faisalabad-Chak Jhumra-Sheikhupura-Lahore Railway Line, Faisalabad-Chak Jhumra-Sargodha Railway Line, Lahore-Jaranwala-Shorkot Railway Line.  

The Faisalabad International Airport is situated at 10 km away from city centre of Faisalabad on Jhang Road. It is not as large as the other airports in Pakistan, as it operates to cater mainly to the population of Faisalabad

Motorway: Faisalabad-Pindi Bhatian Motorway (M3), Faisalabad-Multan Motorway (M4) (Under Construction),  Faisalabad-Karachi Motorway (Under Construction)  

Provincial Highways: GT Road   (Lahore - Sheikhupura - Faisalabad),  Sheikhupura Road,  Jhang Road,  Srgodha Road,  Samundri Road, Satyana Road, Jaranwala road, Risala Road.

Famous Roads in the City: Millat Road, Barnala Road, Jail Road, Narwala Road, Circular Road, Susan Road, Nishter Road, Allama Iqbal Road, Bilal Road, Mullan Road, Fatima Jinnah Road, Quaid-e-Azam Road, Canal Road, Race Course Road, Noor Poor Road,

Distance from other Cities Chiniot:  47 KM,  Toba Tek Singh, 77 Km,  Hafizabad: 94 KM,  Sargodha: 90 KM,  Lahore: 143 KM,  Wazirabad: 155 KM, Sialkot: 200 KM, Jehlum: 251 KM,  Khanewal: 170 KM,  Multan: 237 KM,  Bahawalpur: 273 KM, D.I.Khan: 270 KM,  New Mirpur: 295 KM,  Islamabad: 372 KM,  Muree: 420 KM, Abbotabad: 475 KM,  Muzaffarabad: 496 Km,  Kohat:  538 Km,  Peshawar: 526 KM, Saidu: 601 KM,  Chitral: 737 KM,  Gilgit: 901 KM,  Sukkur: 691 KM,  Larkana:795 KM, Hyderabad: 1006 KM, Thatta: 1104 KM,  Karachi: 1182 KM,  Quetta: 1096 KM,      Bela: 1363 KM,  Turbat: 1777 KM

ADMINISTRATIVE AREAS: In 2005, Faisalabad has been upgraded to City District Government and the district has been divided into eight towns.

Chak Jhumra Town (28 Union Councils), Jaranwala Town (57 Union Councils), Tandlianwala Town   (28 Union Councils), Samundari Town (28 Union Councils),   Iqbal Town (43 Union Councils), Madina Town   (41 Union Councils),                  Jinnah Town (38 Union Councils), Lyallpur Town (39 Union Councils)