Punjab-Faisalabad

Share now

Faisalabad District Profile

Introduction/Geographical Location; Faisalabad District

Faisalabad district is located between 30° 42′ to 31° 47′ north latitudes and 72° 40′ to 73° 40Ꞌ east longitudes. It is bounded in the north by Jhang, Hafizabad and Sheikhupura districts, on the east by Sheikhupura, Okara and Sahiwal districts, on the south by Sahiwal and Toba Tek Singh districts, and on the west by Toba Tek Singh and Jhang districts.

The city of Faisalabad was built by the British in the 19th century, and was named Lyallpur. The name was changed to Faisalabad in 1977. It is the third largest city of Pakistan after Karachi and Lahore. Due to its prolific textile industry, it is called the Manchester of Pakistan.

Faisalabad District at a Glance

Name of District City District Faisalabad
District Headquarter
Population[1] 7,874,790 persons
Area[2] 5,856 km2
Population Density[3] 1,321 persons/ km2
Population Growth Rate[4] 1.97%
Male Population[5] 51.2%
Female Population 48.8%
Urban Population[6] 47.3%
Tehsils/Towns

8 Towns:

1.    Lyallpur Town

2.    Samundri Town

3.    Tandlianwala Town

4.    Madina Town

5.    Iqbal Town

6.    Jinnah Town

7.    Jaranwala Town

8.    Chak Jhumra Town

Main Towns Same as above
Literacy Rate[7] 69%
Male Literacy Rate[8] 74%
Female Literacy Rate[9] 63%
Major Economic Activity[10] Agriculture, with its Allied Livestock Breeding, Fishing 25.2%
Manufacturing 11.1%
Construction 32.2%
Wholesale/Retail, Restaurant/Hotels 9.5%
Community, Social & Personal Services 12.5%
Transport, Storage & Communication 4.4%
Others 5.1%
Main Crops Wheat, cotton, maize, sugarcane, rice, tobacco, bajra, jowar, moong, maash, masoor, gram, oil seeds like mustard & rapeseed, sunflower, barley, groundnut, sesanum, guar seed, linseed, and sunn hemp
Major Fruits Guavas, mangos, citrus, banana, phalsa, pears, peaches, and dates
Major Vegetables Onion, potato, tomato, coriander, garlic, peas, cauliflower, okra, bottle gourd, carrot, turnip, brinjal, chilies, radish, bitter gourd, and spinach
Forests (Area)[11] 2,000 HA[12]
Total Black Topped Road[13] 2,456.7 km
National Highways[14] – km
Motorways[15] – km
Provincial Roads[16] 1,922.0 km
Sugar Cess roads[17] 534.8 km.
No. of Grid Stations[18] 25 grid stations, ranging in capacity from 66 KV to 220 KV
No. of Tel. Exchanges[19] 113 exchanges, ranging in capacity from 100 lines to 20,630 lines.
Industrial Estates[20] One Small Industry Estate. Faisalabad also hosts the Faisalabad Industrial City and a Value Added city. There are 1,644 small, medium, and large sized industrial units in the City District
Major Industry[21] Hosiery Products 241 Units
Textile Processing 234 Units
Flour Mills 33 Units
Knitted Textile 34 Units
Textile Spinning 63 Units
Textiles Weaving 35 Units
Sizing Of Yarn 104 Units
Rice Mills 54 Units
Soap & Detergents 39 Units
Packages 33 Units
Foundry Products 110 Units
Embroidery 47 Units
Cotton Waste 43 Units
Agricultural Implements 40 Units
Household Size[22] 7.2 persons per house
Houses with Piped Water[23] 28.1%
Houses with Electricity[24] 86.6%

Table 1.1 Faisalabad District at a Glance

[1] 2017 Census

[2] 1998 Census

[3] 2017 Census

[4] 2017 Census

[5] 2017 Census

[6] 2017 Census

[7] Pakistan Social & Living Measurement Survey 2014-15 (PSLM); Latest available

[8] PSLM

[9] PSLM

[10] 1998 Census, 2017 Census data has not been made public yet.

[11] Punjab Development Statistics 2018-19

[12] Land Utilization Statistics has 1,000 HA under Forests.

[13] Punjab Development Statistics 2018-19

[14] Punjab Development Statistics 2018-19

[15] Punjab Development Statistics 2018-19

[16] Punjab Development Statistics 2018-19

[17] Punjab Development Statistics 2018-19

[18] Directorate of Industries, Punjab. Pre-Investment Study. Faisalabad District. 2012; Latest available.

[19] Directorate of Industries, Punjab. Pre-Investment Study. Faisalabad District. 2012; Latest available.

[20] Directorate of Industries, Punjab. Pre-Investment Study. Faisalabad District. 2012; Latest available.

[21] Directorate of Industries, Punjab. Pre-Investment Study. Faisalabad District. 2012. For a complete list of all existing industry in the district please refer to the section on Industry

[22] 1998 Census; 2017 Census data has not been made public yet.

[23] 1998 Census; 2017 Census data has not been made public yet.

[24] 1998 Census; 2017 Census data has not been made public yet.

Brief HistoryGovernmental StructureAdministrative DivisionsHeritage Sites and Recreational Areas

Brief History of Faisalabad District

From the beginning of the 7th century, Rajput Kingdoms dominated the eastern portions of what is now Pakistan and northern India. In 997 AD, Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi took over the Ghaznavid dynasty which was an Empire established by his father, Sultan Sebuktigin. In 1005 he conquered the Shahis[1] in Kabul, and then some of the western Punjabi regions, but the eastern regions of Punjab¾from Multan to Rawalpindi in the north (including the region of present-day Faisalabad)¾remained under Rajput rule until 1193. From 1193 to 1206 the area was under Ghorid Rule. The Delhi Sultanate[2] (1206-1526) and Mughal Empire (1526-1857) also ruled the region.

After the decline of the Mughal Empire, the Sikhs invaded and occupied most of Punjab, including the regions now belonging to the Faisalabad (then Lyallpur) district. Between 1765 and 1846, Faisalabad region was occupied by the Sikhs. After the Second Anglo Sikh war in 1849, the British occupied all of Punjab which included Faisalabad.

The areas belonging to Lyallpur/ Faisalabad district were part of the Rechna Doab area (the land area between Chenab and Ravi rivers), which was, in turn, part of Jhang district (part of the Sandal Bar[3] of Rechna Doab), and mainly comprised of thick forests inhabited by nomad tribes. After the annexation of Punjab, the British Government decided to increase cultivation in Punjab to meet the demand of European markets, especially Britain, by constructing barrages and canals. Canal-based colonization through irrigation was introduced in the 1870s and Punjab was divided into 9 canal colonies of which Chenab Colony (named after Chenab Canal) was the largest. This Chenab Colony included Jhang district (which included the Lyallpur/ Faisalabad tehsil at the time), portions of Montgomery district (now Sahiwal district), Gujranwala, and Lahore.

In 1880, the Deputy Commissioner of Jhang, Captain Poham Young, on his way to Lahore, broke his journey near the Theh (mound) of Pucca Mari.[4] He spent the night in Pucca Mari and rode for Lahore the next day. Six months later, a survey of the area around the Theh of Pucca Mari was initiated, leading to all the barren and desolate tract of land situated to the west of Pucca Mari being marked for infrastructure development, ultimately laying the foundations of a new town. Initially, the town consisted of just a few huts; a proper city was founded in 1892 after the construction of Chenab Canal. This was done with the support of Sir James B. Lyall (the then Lt. Governor of Punjab) and the town was thus named Lyallpur after Sir James Lyall. The town was originally designed and developed to act as an agricultural market. The city center of Lyallpur was designed by Captain Poham Young, to imitate the Union Jack, with 8 roads radiating from a large Clock Tower (Ghanta Ghar) in the center. These roads later developed into 8 separate bazaars. The town grew rapidly as farmers settled on newly irrigated land. A large number of settlers came from different areas of Punjab, especially from Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Ambala, on the promise of receiving large agricultural lands. With the extensively planned distribution of land, the canal irrigated areas of Sandal Bar soon became populated. This led to a rapid transformation of the nomadic lifestyle of the Bar into a more agriculture-based one. The Clock Tower was constructed out of the funds raised by the landowners.

In 1895, Lyallpur was connected to Wazirabad through a rail link. In 1896, Lyallpur was given the status of a tehsil of the Jhang district, and its administration was carried on in tents on the old Theh (Mound) of Pucca Mari near Tariqabad.

In 1903, construction for an agriculture college in Lyallpur was started and in 1904 the Lyallpur district was constituted with its headquarters at Lyallpur Town. The district was composed of the tehsils of Lyallpur, Samundri and Toba Tek Singh (which is now a separate district), with a subtehsil at Jaranwala, which later became a full tehsil. By 1906 the district headquarters were operational in Lyallpur. In the same year, the agriculture college was inaugurated (it is now a university). The Town Committee was established in 1904 which was upgraded to Municipal Committee in 1909 and the Deputy Commissioner was appointed as the committee’s first chairman.

The Integrated Slums Development Program[5] shows that

During 1921-1931 the increase in population was due to an increase of about 40% in the production of wheat and almost 100% in the production and export of cotton. Between 1931 and 1941 industries started to develop in Faisalabad and in this period 3 large cotton mills, including the Lyallpur Cotton Mills, which was completed in 1934, were set up. Labour for these mills was also imported from eastern Punjab thus increasing the settler population.

In 1943 Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah visited the district and stayed at the famous Chenab Club constructed in 1906 by the then Deputy Commissioner of Lyallpur. The district became a part of Pakistan in 1947.

After Independence in 1947 the town grew rapidly, initially due to the influx of Muslim refugees from India and later due to government policies that promoted industrialization (tax holidays) and the introduction of 2 Green Revolution technologies for improvement of agriculture.[6] In 1977, the name of the city was changed to Faisalabad, to commemorate the late King of Saudi Arabia, Shah Faisal bin Abdul Aziz. In 1982, Toba Tek Singh tehsil of Faisalabad district was upgraded to a district, and separated from Faisalabad.

In 2005, when the Local Government system was introduced in Pakistan, the district was given the status of a City District.

Figure 1.3 Famous Clock Tower (Ghanta Ghar), Faisalabad

Figure 1.4 View of the Entrance to the Chenab Club where Jinnah resided on his trip to Faisalabad

Governmental Structure; Faisalabad District

At the Federal level, Faisalabad City District is allocated a set number of representatives in both the National Assembly and the Provincial Assembly:

  • Number of seats in the National Assembly 11
  • Number of seats in the Provincial Assembly 21

Under Local Government and Community Development Faisalabad City District has 1 District Council, 1 Municipal Corporation and 7 Municipal Committees as follows:

  • Chak Jhumra
  • Jaranwala
  • Khurrianwala
  • Tandlianwala
  • Samundri
  • Dijkot
  • Mamonkanjan

Administrative Divisions; Faisalabad district

Faisalabad City District covers an area of 5,856 km2 and is subdivided into 8 towns as follows:

Lyallpur Town 39 Union Councils
Madina Town 41 Union Councils
Jinnah Town 38 Union Councils
Iqbal Town 43 Union Councils
Chak Jhumra Town 15 Union Councils
Samundri Town 28 Union Councils
Jaranwala Town 57 Union Councils
Tandlianwala Town 28 Union Councils

Table 1.2 Faisalabad Administrative Divisions

Until 2005, the Faisalabad district was divided in to 6 Tehsils: Faisalabad City, Faisalabad Sadar, Chak Jhumra, Samundri, Tandlianwala, and Jaranwala, with 289 Union Councils. In 2005, when Faisalabad was given the status of a City District, the Faisalabad City Tehsil and Faisalabad Sadar Tehsil were divided into 4 towns: Lyallpur Town, Madina Town, Jinnah town, and Iqbal town, and the other 4 tehsils were made Towns of the City District.

[1] The Shahis of Kabul ruled Kabul and the Gandhara region from the 3rd century to the 9th century AD

[2] Delhi Sultanate was a Muslim kingdom based in Delhi. This Sultanate consisted of 5 dynasties: Mamluks (1206-90), Khiljis (1290-1320), Tughlaq (1320-1414), Sayyid (1414-51), and Lodhis (1451-1526)

[3] The tract from Shahdara to Shorekot, and Sangla Hill to Toba Tek Singh, was traditionally called Sandal Bar.

[4] Pucca Mari was a place of rest for those travelling between the districts of Jhang and Lahore. The mound of Pucca Mari still exist near Tariqabad, Faisalabad

[5] Integrated Slums Development Program, Faisalabad, 2001

[6] Integrated Slums Development Program, Faisalabad, 2001

Heritage Sites/Recreational Areas; Faisalabad district

There is only one historical site in the district: the Wangar Wala Tibba in Chak No. 742, which is protected by the Government of Pakistan’s (GoP) Laws.

Other important but unprotected cultural/ heritage sites of the district are:

  • Faisalabad Railway Station, built in 1896; Faisalabad district
  • Sikh Gurdwara, Jaranwala Tehsil; Faisalabad district: This is a sacred shrine built in the memory of Dilip Singh in Chak No. 132 RB of Faisalabad district
  • Clock Tower (Ghanta Ghar); Faisalabad district: This is one of the oldest monuments still standing in its original state from the period of theBritish Raj. It was built by the British in 1903
  • Tomb of Sir James Lyall in Company Bagh; Faisalabad district. This bagh/garden is now called Jinnah Garden

Other tourist attractions and recreational areas include:

  • Gatwala Park; Faisalabad district: This is a nature park and wildlife sanctuary, botanical gardenand breeding center located in the town of Gatwala in  Gatwala Forest Park is a large compound of more than 100 km2 that houses forest areas, parks, lakes, and administrative buildings of the Ministry of Forestry, Pakistan. The main attractions in Gatwala Park are the huge green parks that house some rides for children, flowing canals across the park, bamboo growing area, large forest areas, and 2 lakes. Boating is available in one lake, whereas the other lake is home to many crocodiles
  • Happy Land Water Park; Faisalabad district: It has been built to international standards and has all the necessary facilities to ensure that visitors enjoy their time at the park. The water slides are the biggest slides in Pakistan
  • Jinnah Garden: This is one of the central parks in Faisalabad City, and is commonly known as Company Bagh. The park also contains the tomb of  Sir Charles James Lyall, who was the founder of the city
  • Am-Tex Waterfalls; Faisalabad district: This is one of the largest man-made waterfalls in Asia
  • The Chenab Club; Faisalabad district: This is a social club in Faisalabad. It was the first such club established during the first decade of the 20th century, by Mr. Henry Cues (1904–1906), the first Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Faisalabad
  • Gumti Water Fountain; Faisalabad district: This fountain is a monument inFaisalabad from the British Raj. It was built during the early 19th century and was a general meeting place of the city folk for local town meetings
  • Qaisery Gate; Faisalabad district: Thiswas the gate into the 8 famous markets with the Faisalabad Clock Tower (Ghanta Ghar) at their center. It was built in 1857 under the commission of the British Raj. The entrance itself is made of reinforced concrete, and has been painted pale yellow and light brown as homage to the Mughal colour palates. The gate’s original markings are still discernible at the top, with the name and the date of construction easily visible
  • Lyallpur Museum; Faisalabad district

Figure 1.13 Sikh Gurdwara, Jaranwala Town

Figure 1.14 Jinnah Gardens Faisalabad

Figure 1.15 A Green Forest near Jaranwala, Faisalabad

Figure 1.16 Teja Singh Hall, Samundri, Faisalabad

Topography of Faisalabad District

Faisalabad district is located in the rolling flat plains of northeast Punjab, and 16.6% of the area falls in the Rechna Doab Upland Area, because of which, the area is a vast alluvial plain formed by the rivers Ravi and Chenab. The area has a mild slope from northeast to southwest with an average of about 0.2 to 0.3 m drop per kilometer or about 1 to 1.5 ft per mile. Faisalabad City is situated at an elevation of about 183.4 m or 612 ft above mean sea level (MSL). The topography is marked by valleys, local depressions, and relatively high ground.

The City District is located on land formed by relatively older alluvium deposit found in the central part of the Doab. Because of its elevation above the bordering flood plains, the Upland is generally beyond the reach of flood spills, which is the significant physiographic feature of the alluvial plain.[1]

Rivers, Streams, and Lakes; Faisalabad district

The Ravi River flows on the eastern border and the Chenab River on the western boundary of Faisalabad. No other important river or nullah flows through the district. The Lower Chenab Canal and the Rakh Branch Canal are the sources of surface water for the district.

There are no lakes, water ponds, or marshes in the district.

Forests; Faisalabad district

Most of the forests of the district belong to the riverine class of forests or to the irrigated plantation class. The vegetation of these forests includes vann or peelu (Savadora oleoides), karil or karir (Capparis aphylla), jand (Prosopis spicigera), ber (Ziziphus spp.), shisham (Dalbergio sissoo), desert teak or rohida (Tecomella undulata), silk cotton tree or sumbul (Bombax ceiba), amaltas or golden shower tree (Cassia fistula), barna or sacred garlic pear (Crataeva religiosa), white marudah or arjuna (Terminalia arjuna), lucky bean tree or paishandia (Putranjiva roxburghii), neem (Azadirachta indica), red cedar or toon (Cedrela toona), neem (Melia azedarach), phulai (Acacia modesta), kikar or babul (Acacia nilotica), gum Arabic or khumbat (Acacia Senegal), kachnaar (Bauhinia purpurea), jaamun (Syzygium cumini), and sukh chain (Pongamia pinnata).

The following table shows the total forest area under various departments in Faisalabad district as per Punjab Development Statistics 2018-19:

Total Forest Area 3,831 A Compact Forests under Provincial Govt. 2,799 A
Reserved Forests 131 A Un-classed Forests 901 A
Resumed Lands – HA Linear Plantation 3,692 km

Table 1.3 Faisalabad Forests

Some of the important forests of the district include Gatwala Nature Reserve (Gatwala Forest Park), Rakh Chaku Reserved Forest, and Jaranwala forest.

Figure 1.5 Gatwala Nature Park, Faisalabad

Figure 1.6 Jinnah Gardens, Faisalabad

Soils; Faisalabad district

The Rechna Doab soils consist of alluvial deposits transported by the Indus River and its tributaries. The soils are generally low in organic matter and are adaptable to a wide variety of crops.

Climate; Faisalabad district

Faisalabad district belongs to the semi-arid region of Pakistan. The climate of the district is generally very hot during the summer and very cold in the winter. The summer season starts from April and continues till September, with May, June, and July being the hottest months. The extreme maximum temperature during summer touches 50 °C and can go down to -2 °C in winter. The mean maximum and minimum temperatures in the summer are 39 °C and 27 °C respectively. During the summer, dust storms are frequent, and sometimes the intensity is such that thatched roofs can be blown away and trees uprooted; however, with the extension of irrigation facilities, both the frequency and intensity of these storms has been reduced considerably.

The winter season starts from November and lasts till March. December, January, and February are the coldest months. The western disturbances frequently affect the weather in the cold season; this phenomenon generally becomes active from mid-December, and well-marked cold fronts are formed in the fold of these disturbances. The mean maximum and minimum temperatures in the winter peak are around 17 °C and 6 °C respectively.

The Monsoon starts from July and lasts till the end of September. The average yearly rainfall is only about 300 mm (12 in), and is highly seasonal, with approximately half of the yearly rainfall occurring in July and August.

Seismic Activity/Seismicity; Faisalabad district

The district belongs to Zone 2A of the Seismic Zone Map of Pakistan which means minor to no damage due to earthquakes.

[1]For more details see Chapter 6 in Baseline Survey on Millennium Development Goals in AACs (Actual Acquisition Costs) Faisalabad, Pakistan.

Population; Faisalabad District

Population figures for Faisalabad district as per the 2017 Census are as follows:

District/Tehsil Area Km2 Population Male% Female% Urban% Growth Rate%
Faisalabad District 5,856 7,873,910 51.2 48.8 47.8 1.97
Chak Jhumra Town 654 332,461
Faisalabad City[1] 168 3,237,961
Faisalabad Sadar[2] 1,186 1,465,4113
Jaranwala Tehsil 1,811 1,492,276
Samundri Tehsil 753 643,068
Tandlianwala Tehsil 1,284 702,733

Table 1.4 Faisalabad Population

Religions; Faisalabad district[3]

Muslims 95.6%
Christians 4.1%
Hindus Negligible %
Ahmadis 0.3%
Scheduled Castes Negligible %
Others Negligible %

Table 1.6 Faisalabad Religions

Languages; Faisalabad district[4]

Urdu 1.2%
Punjabi 97.5%
Sindhi Negligible %
Pushto 0.5%
Balochi Negligible %
Seraiki 0.6%
Others 0.2%

Table 1.7 Faisalabad Languages

[1] Statistics include Lyallpur Town, Madina Town, Jinnah Town, and Iqbal Town

[2] Statistics include Lyallpur Town, Madina Town, Jinnah Town, and Iqbal Town

[3] 1998 Census; 2017 Census data has not been made public yet.

[4] 1998 Census; 2017 Census data has not been made public yet.

Economic ActivityEconomic Infrastructure

Economic Activity; Faisalabad District

Faisalabad has a strong industrial base that includes textiles, jewelry, home furniture, and pharmaceuticals, assisted by the expanding transport network which includes a newly built motorway as well as highways to Lahore, Multan, Sargodha and Islamabad/ Rawalpindi. Faisalabad is one of 3 planned cities of the country; it was planned in 1880 by Captain Poham Young, and as stated already, was designed to resemble the Union Jack, with 8 radiating roads. These developed into 8 different bazaars, each with different types of markets and goods, and a Clock Tower (Ghanta Ghar) at the center.

Before independence, there were only 5 industrial units in Faisalabad; now there are numerous textile mills, engineering, chemical, and food processing units. Other industries include hosiery, carpets and rugs, nawar and lace, printing and publishing, and pharmaceutical products. The textile industry of Faisalabad constitutes more than 65% of the textile export market of Pakistan, which itself forms 58% of the total exports from Pakistan. The district grew in importance as part of the grain belt of the Punjab during the British colonization period.

According to the 1998 Census the major employers of the district are (2017 Census results are still awaited):

  • Agriculture, with its Allied Livestock Breeding, Fishing (25.2%)
  • Manufacturing (11.1%)
  • Construction (32.2%)
  • Wholesale/ Retail, Restaurant/ Hotels (9.5%)
  • Community, Social & Personal Services (12.5%)
  • Transport, Storage & Communication (4.4%)
  • Others (5.1%)

Land Use; Faisalabad district

The land use statistics of Faisalabad as per Punjab Development Statistics 2018-19 are shown in the following table:

Total Area 585,600 HA Reported Area 584,000 HA
Total Cultivated Area 480,000 HA Net Sown 477,000 HA
Current Fallow 3,000 HA Total Uncultivated Area 104,000 HA
Culturable Waste 51,000 HA Forest Area 1,000 HA

Table 1.8 Faisalabad Land Use Statistics

Irrigation Network; Faisalabad district

The Lower Chenab Canal (West) off-taking from Khanki Headworks is the main irrigation canal of the district. The Lower Chenab Canal (West) circle comprises of Rakh Branch Canal, Jhang Branch Canal (Upper), Jhang Branch Canal (Lower) and Bhowana Branch Canal. These canals irrigate 1.2 million acres of cultivable lands in Hafizabad, Nankana Sahib, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, and Chiniot districts through a network of 67 distributaries.

Other minor canals include Khal Distributary, Khillan Minor, Sarangwala Distributary, and Narwala Minor. Other modes of irrigation include tube wells and dug wells.

The following table shows the mode of irrigation and the area served by the system as per Punjab Development Statistics 2018-19:

Total Area Sown 673,000 HA Irrigated Area 673,000 HA
Un-Irrigated Area – HA Canal Irrigated 374,000 HA
Dug Wells 3,000 HA Tube Well Irrigated 32,000 HA
Canal Well Irrigated 2,000 HA Canal Tube Wells 261,000 HA
Others 1,000 HA

Table 1.12 Faisalabad Irrigation Statistics

Agriculture; Faisalabad district

The district belongs to the Northern Irrigated Agro-Ecological Zone of Pakistan. Agriculture and its allied livestock breeding is the main occupation of the rural areas of the district. Nearly 24.3% of the population is engaged in this occupation. Crops of the district include wheat, cotton, maize, sugarcane, rice, tobacco, bajra, jowar, moong, maash, masoor, gram, oil seeds like mustard & rapeseed, sunflower, barley, groundnut, sesanum, guar seed, linseed, sunn hemp, and fodder.

Fruits of the district include guavas, mangos, citrus, banana, phalsa, pears, peaches, watermelon, musk melon, ber, and dates. Main vegetables are onion, potato, tomato, coriander, garlic, peas, cauliflower, okra, bottle gourd, carrot, turnip, brinjal, chilies, radish, bitter gourd, tinda, spinach, sweet potato, and pumpkin.

Livestock Breeding; Faisalabad district

The following table shows the livestock population as of the 2006 Census of Livestock (quoted in Punjab Development Statistics 2018-19):

Cattle 281,000 Heads Buffaloes 835,000 Heads Sheep 164,000 Heads
Goats 539,000 Heads Camels 112 Heads Horses 8,599 Heads
Mules 4,207 Heads Asses 71,364 Heads

Table 1.9 Faisalabad Livestock Statistics

Sahiwal cow, nili ravi buffaloes, lohi sheep, beetal goats, beetal spotted goats, barbary goats, and thoroughbred horses are indigenous to the district.

Figure 1.7 Sahiwal Cow, Faisalabad

Figure 1.8 Beetal Goat, Faisalabad

Poultry Farms; Faisalabad district

According to Table 17 (Number of Commercial Poultry Farms and Number of Birds by Size of Flock) there are 1,420 poultry farms in the district.

Fishing; Faisalabad district

Fishing is carried out in the River Ravi, Rakh Branch Canal, Dijkot drain, Buchiana Escape, Gogera Branch Canal, and Awagat Branch Canal in the district. This fish is mostly consumed locally.

Bee Keeping/ Apiculture; Faisalabad district

Honeybee colonies are extant in Faisalabad since the introduction of apiculture in Pakistan in the 1980s.

Minerals and Mining; Faisalabad district

Minerals are not being mined in the district.

Industry and Manufacture; Faisalabad district

There are 2 Industrial Estates[1] in the district, namely Value Addition City and Faisalabad Industrial City. Additionally, Punjab Small Industries Corporation (PSIC) has set up a Small Industry Estate in Faisalabad. There is a Dry Port in the City District as well.

There are a total of 1,644 small, medium, and large sized industrial units in Faisalabad. The following table shows the details of existing industry in Faisalabad City District (includes data provided by Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry):

Type of Industry Number of Units Type of Industry Number of Units
Agricultural Implements 40 Aluminum Products 01
Arms & Ammunition 01 Auto Parts 10
Baby Cycles 01 Bakery Products 04
Batteries 01 Beverages 02
Biscuits 01 Boilers 01
Carpets/ Rugs 02 Ceramic Products 05
Chemical 06 Chip/ Straw Board 14
Cold Storage 12 Confectionary 22
Cotton Ginning & Pressing 26 Cotton Waste 43
Dairy Products 01 Drugs & Pharmaceuticals 04
Die & Blocks 01 Diesel Engines 01
Doubling Of Yarn 09 Dyes 02
Elastic 05 Embroidery 47
Fertilizers 02 Flour Mills 33
Food Products 04 Foundry Products 110
Hosiery Products 241 Industrial/ Burn Gases 02
Glass & Glass Products 02 Guar Gum 01
G I/M S Pipes 01 Industrial Machinery 66
Iron & Steel Re-Rolling 01 Leather Footwear 02
Textile Machinery 05 Jute Textile 01
Light Engineering 35 Lubricants 01
Motor Pumps 19 Nuts & Bolts 26
Knitted Textile 34 Power Generation 05
Packages 33 Paints & Varnish 07
Paper & Paper Products 11 Paper Cone 04
Plastic Products 13 Poly Propylene Bags 09
Poultry Feeds 06 Polythene Bags 01
PVC Pipes 04 Raisin Cloth 07
Ready Made Garments 77 Starch & its Products 04
Soaps & Detergents 39 Sodium Silicate 12
Surgical Cotton/Bandages 02 Towel Industry 01
Tractor Parts 02 Velvet Cloth 01
Sugar 06 Tanneries 12
Textile Composites 09 Textile Made Ups 26
Textile Processing 234 Textile Spinning 63
Textile Weaving 35 Vegetable Ghee/ Oil 05
Watches & Clocks 01 Woolen Textile 01
Sewing Machine Parts 13 Soap & Detergents 59
Sizing of Yarn 104 Rice Mills 54

Table 1.10 Faisalabad Industries

Trade (Import/export); Faisalabad district

The district trades in industrial goods and agricultural produce.

Handicrafts; Faisalabad district

Faisalabad district[2] is famous for its handwoven cloth. In fact, it has the greatest concentration of hand/ power looms in the country. At present, there are nearly 90,000 power looms operating in Faisalabad. Other traditional products produced in Faisalabad include wood carving, leather handbags, carpets, rugs, and lace.

Figure 1.9 Power Looms, Faisalabad

Figure 1.10 Hand-knotted Carpets, Faisalabad

 

[1] Directorate of Industries Punjab. Pre-investment study Faisalabad District 2012; Latest available.

[2] Directorate of Industries Punjab. Pre-investment study Faisalabad District 2012; Latest available.

Economic Infrastructure; Faisalabad District

The district is linked with Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Sheikhupura districts through black topped roads. The district is also linked with Lahore and Islamabad through the M 3 Motorway. The main Karachi-Peshawar Railway line passes through the district as well.

Road statistics; Faisalabad district

The following table shows the road statistics of the district as per Punjab Development Statistics 2018-19:

Total Road Length 2,456.7 km
National Highways – km
Provincial Highways 1,922.0 km
Motorways – km
Sugar Cess Roads 534.8 km

Table 1.11 Faisalabad Road Statistics

Some of the important roads of the district include the Motorway M 3 which starts at Pindi Bhattian Tehsil of Hafizabad district and ends at Faisalabad. This M 3 connects Faisalabad to M 2 Motorway which leads to Lahore and Islamabad.

Other important Provincial Highways include

  • Sheikhupura Road
  • Jhang Road
  • Sargodha Road
  • Samundri Road
  • Satyana Road
  • Jaranwala Road
  • Risala Road

Figure 1.18 Motorway M 3 Interchange

Rail and Airways; Faisalabad district

The district is connected to cities in the province by the 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

There is a commercial international airport in the district, called Faisalabad International Airport. This airport serves as a standby Pakistan Air Force Military Airbase, and is home to 2 flying schools that use the airfield for regular training of new cadets and aviation enthusiasts.[1]

Figure 1.20 Faisalabad Airport

Figure 1.21 Faisalabad Railway Station

Radio and Television; Faisalabad district

Pakistan Radio has a broadcasting station in Faisalabad. In addition, there are 4 FM radio stations broadcasting programs in the City District.

There are also a number of private television channels that have offices in Faisalabad like Express News, Geo TV, Apna Channel, and Punjab TV.

Telecommunications; Faisalabad district

Pakistan Telecommunications Ltd. has established a network of telephone lines.[2] In all, there are 113 telephone exchanges operating in the district ranging in capacity from 100 lines to 20,630 lines. In addition, a number of cellular companies also provide their services in the district.

Post Offices/ Courier Services; Faisalabad district

There are 85 offices[3] of Pakistan Post in Faisalabad, with a total of 41 offices in Iqbal, Madina, Jinnah and Lyallpur towns, 11 in Samundri town, 14 in Jaranwala town, 6 in Tandlianwala Town, and 7 in Chak Jhumra Town.

Banking/ Financial Institutions; Faisalabad district

There are 314 branches[4] of various banks in the district with 200 bank branches in Iqbal, Jinnah, Lyallpur and Madina towns, 51 in Samundri town, 43 in Jaranwala town, 20 in Tandlianwala town, and none in Chak Jhumra town.

According to the List of Reporting Bank Branches 2019- by State Bank of Pakistan, the following banks have branches in the district:

  • Al-Baraka Bank Ltd.
  • Allied Bank of Pakistan Ltd.
  • Askari Bank Ltd.
  • Bank Al Falah Ltd.
  • Bank Al-Habib Ltd.
  • Bank Islami Pakistan Ltd.
  • Burj Bank Ltd.
  • Dubai Islamic Bank Pakistan Ltd.
  • Faysal Bank Ltd.
  • First Women Bank Ltd.
  • Habib Bank Ltd.
  • Habib Metropolitan Bank Ltd.
  • HSBC Bank Middle East Ltd.
  • JS Bank Ltd.
  • KASB Bank Ltd.
  • Muslim Commercial Bank
  • Meezan Bank Ltd.
  • National Bank of Pakistan Ltd.
  • National Investment Bank Ltd.
  • Samba Bank Ltd.
  • Silk Bank Ltd.
  • Sindh Bank Ltd.
  • SME Bank Ltd.
  • Soneri Bank Ltd.
  • Standard Chartered Bank (Pakistan) Ltd.
  • Summit Bank Ltd.
  • The Bank of Khyber
  • The Bank of Punjab
  • United Bank Ltd.
  • Zarai Taraqiati Bank Ltd.

In all there are 429 branches of various conventional banks and 105 branches of different Islamic banks in the District.

Electricity and Gas; Faisalabad district

There are 25 grid stations[5] ranging in capacity from 66 KV to 220 KV in the district. Gas connection for residential purposes is available in all major towns of the district.

[1] Express Tribune February 11, 2013

[2] Pre-Investment Study 2012, Faisalabad District. GoPunjab (Government of Punjab) ; Latest available.

[3] Pre-Investment Study 2012, Faisalabad District. GoPunjab; Latest available.

[4] Pre-Investment Study 2012, Faisalabad District. GoPunjab; Latest available.

[5] Pre-Investment Study 2012, Faisalabad District. GoPunjab; Latest available.

Educational Institutions; Faisalabad district

The following table shows the details of educational facilities of the district as per Punjab Development Statistics 2018-19:

Institution Boys/Girls Institution Boys/Girls
Primary Schools 763/548 Middle Schools 169/314
Secondary Schools 213/251 Higher Secondary 38/60
Degree Colleges 35/48 Other Higher Secondary[1] 11/14
Other Degree Colleges[2] 12/25 Technical Training Institutes[3] 09/04
Vocational Institutes[4] -/03 Commercial Training Institutes[5] 04/-
Universities[6] 10 Govt. Mosque Schools 01/-
Medical Schools[7] 05 Engineering Schools[8] 06

Table 1.13 Faisalabad Education Statistics

There are a large number of private schools and colleges that award degrees and are affiliated with various universities.

Figure 1.22 Faisalabad Agriculture University

Healthcare Facilities; Faisalabad district

The District Health Officer (DHO) is overall in charge of health services provided in the district. The DHO is supported by doctors, paramedics, technicians, and other support staff. The following table shows the number of health institutions in the district as per Punjab Development Statistics 2018-19:

Institution No./Beds Institution No./Beds
Government Hospitals 14/2,607 Dispensaries 119/-
Rural Health Centers 20/298 Basic Health Units 188/336
T B Clinics -/- Mother Child Health Centers 14/-
Private Hospitals 12/1,233 Sub Health Centers 12/-
Private Healthcare Providers[9] 402

Table 1.14 Faisalabad Health Statistics

Policing; Faisalabad district

Deputy Inspector General Police (DIGP) looks after Faisalabad region which comprises of Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, and Chiniot districts.[10] The police force in each region is headed by the District Police Officer (DPO) who is assisted by a varying number of Superintendents and Deputy Superintendents of Police. The City District has 42 police stations.[11]

 

[1] Includes Private, Federal and Schools owned by Pakistan Airforce (PAF) and other organizations

[2] Includes Private, Federal and Schools owned by PAF and other organizations

[3] Pre-Investment Study 2012 Faisalabad District GoP; Latest available.

[4] Pre-Investment Study 2012 Faisalabad District GoP; Latest available.

[5] Pre-Investment Study 2012 Faisalabad District GoP; Latest available.

[6] Includes both Public & Private Sector

[7] Includes both Public & Private Sector

[8] Includes both Public & Private Sector

[9] Three Years Rolling Plan 2010-13; Faisalabad District; GoPunjab

[10] Punjab Police Official website

[11] Punjab Development Statistics 2018-19

Environment and Biodiversity; Faisalabad district

Faisalabad is the third largest city of Pakistan. Heavy traffic flow on roads for most parts of a day add to the general air pollution. Common air pollutant sources in Faisalabad City include respirable particulate matter from smoky diesel vehicles, two-stroke motorcycles, rickshaws, road dust, and industrial emissions. In addition, Faisalabad is a city of factories and mills, which are spread throughout the district and that are not confined to Industrial Estates. Some of these factories are located in residential areas, which add to the overall environmental pollution.

Flora and Fauna; Faisalabad district

Flora; Faisalabad district

The most common flora of the district includes vann (Salvadora oleoides), karil (Capparis aphylla), ber (Zizyphus jujube), malha (Zizyphus nummalate), and shisham (Dalbergio sissoo). Grasses include chimber (Eleusine egyptica), lambh or pelwakn (Andropogon ennulantus), and Khavi (Andropogon inveranousa). Linear plantation of the district is mostly of shisham (Dalbergia sissoo), and kikar or babul (Acacia nilotica), both of which have a mainly protective and aesthetic value.

Gatwala is an important Reserved Forest of Faisalabad City District. At least 58 species[1] of trees have been planted in this irrigated forest, and most of these species are exotic. These include varieties of eucalyptus, like river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis), and red iron back (eucalyptus crebra) which can grow in arid climates. Other species include shisham (Dalbergia sissoo), mulberry (Morus alba), kikar or babul (Acacia nilotica), cotton tree (Bombax ceiba), and bakain (Melia azadarach).

Sandy river banks along both sides of the Chenab River are subject to flooding every year and support coarse grasses like kai (Saccharum spotaneum), kundar (Typha angustata), and nar (Phagmites karka), as well as shrubs like lai (Tamarix dioca), and jawanha (Alhaji maurorum).

Fauna; Faisalabad district

There are several kinds of birds and animals that comprise the wildlife in Faisalabad. Some of the animals worth mentioning are the brown bear, common otter, alpine weasel, stoat, barking deer, lynx, white-toothed shrew, Persian wild goat, sand fox, sand cat, gazelle, fishing cat, wild goat, ibex, hog deer, pangolin, grey goral, markhor, rhinoceros, leopard, wild ass, Himalayan bear, and several kinds of sheep.

Some migratory birds found in Gatwala Nature Park include flamingoes, sea gulls, species of duck, whimbrel, egrets, jacana, eagle, herons, falcon, koonj, whimbrel, hubara bustard, goose, cormorant, sandgrouse, bee-eater, king fisher, and many others.

The wildlife in Gatwala Park includes chinkara, Sind ibex, gazelles, leopards, and wild sheep.

Figure 1.11 Crocodile Farm

Protected Wildlife Areas/Endangered Wildlife; Faisalabad district

Gutwala or Gatwala Nature Park; Faisalabad district; is the only protected area of the district and protects floral species of eucalyptus as well as wild animals like chinkara, Sind ibex, gazelles, leopards, and wild sheep.

[1] Influence of Plantation Type on Ground Flora Composition and Diversity in Gatwala Artificial Forest Plantation by Mansoor Hameed, Ramla Khan, Muhammad Ashraf, Tahira Nawaz, Muhammad Sajid Aqeel Ahmad, and Sadaf Mubarik, Department of Botany, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, 2011