Punjab-Sheikhupura

Brief History – Governmental Structure – Administrative Divisions – Heritage/Historical Buildings, Tourist Attractions

Brief History of Sheikhupura District

Archeological researchers have found that the areas constituting Sheikhupura district have been historically important since antiquity. In fact, coins found in the ruins of Asarur Village near Khangah Dogran city are believed to be of Indo-Scythian origin.[1] These ruins consist of an extensive mound nearly 5 km (3 miles) in circuit. The highest point of this mound reaches 18 m (59 ft). Sir Alexander Cunningham, a British historian and archeological surveyor, considers this section to be the palace. It contains a well which is now completely dry.[2] Historical records are silent about the history of Asarur, but local traditions state that it was originally called Udamnagar or Uda Nagri. During the rule of Mughal Emperor Akbar the Great, Ugha Shah, a Muslim Dogar Chief, built a mosque on top of the mound[3] which still exists.

The area belonging to Sheikhupura was occupied by the Virk, a Jat tribe, and was thus known as Virkgarh (the abode of Virks). The Virks were contemporaries of the Gupta rulers (320-540 AD). The ancestor of Virks, Raja Virk Vardhan, was a ruler of the region; the capital of the kingdom was the present-day city of Sialkot, Punjab (Pakistan). The eastern extent of his empire included Amritsar (India) which continues to be dominated by the Virks. Other ancient names of the city include Kot Dayal Das (which is now the name of a small village located in the district) and Singhpura.[4]

During Mughal rule, the Bar tract[5] of Sheikhupura tehsil appears to have been held by Hinjra and Jag Hindu Jats. These tribes were ousted by the Kharal and Bhatti Muslim tribes. The Bhattis, then, controlled the Bar Area which stretched from Pindi Bhattian (Hafizabad district) to Shahkot (now in Nankana Sahib district, but previously a part of Sheikhupura district), while the Kharals ruled the Upper Ravi areas. Later the Virk tribe regained the areas.

The name Virkgarh was changed during the rule of the fourth Mughal Emperor, Jehangir. In his memoir Tuzk-e-Jehangiri (also known as Jehangirnama), this place has been called Jehangirpura. Jehangir later changed this name to Sheikhupura after a majority of the population accepted Islam. Sheikhu was the nickname given to Emperor Jehangir by his father Emperor Akbar the Great. The present city of Sheikhupura was, thus, developed and expanded by Mughal Emperor Jehangir in 1607 AD. During his reign, Sheikhupura was the official royal hunting grounds. During one of his hunting visits to the region, Jehangir’s pet deer died and he ordered the construction of a Minar (tower) and a grave for the deer, which came to be known as the Hiran Minar complex, alongside which a fort was also built.

The period between the decline of the Mughal Empire after the death of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, and the rise of the Sikh confederacies was one of utter confusion and anarchy. Successive invasions from the northwest by the Sikhs and the devastation caused by the invading armies of Nadir Shah and Ahmad Shah Abdali/ Durrani completely ruined the tract. The Bhattis struggled for some time to maintain their independence against the Sikhs but in 1801 they were subdued by the armies of Ranjit Singh. Most of their leaders were killed and their possessions confiscated.

The Sikh power was ultimately broken after the Second Anglo-Sikh war (1849) and the area was annexed by the British, who returned the confiscated properties to the surviving Bhattis.

At the time of annexation, the whole area between the Chenab and Ravi rivers was formed into one district, with its temporary headquarters first at Sheikhupura and later, for a short time, at Wazirabad. In 1851-52, this wide jurisdiction was broken up into two districts, with their headquarters at Sialkot and Gujranwala. Sheikhupura became a tehsil of Gujranwala district.

In 1919, Sheikhupura tehsil was upgraded to Sheikhupura district primarily to reduce the extensive boundaries and to remove the administrative difficulties created by the vastness of the Gujranwala district. In the beginning, courts were arranged in the fort/ qila Sheikhupura, but then, in 1922, under the supervision of Sir Ganga Ram, district courts and hospitals were constructed. The District Hospital building was constructed in 1922.

In 1924, during the meeting of the Municipal Committee, a decision was made to construct a new town between the Civil Quarters and Civil Hospital. This newly constructed town was named Guru Nanakpura (after the name of the Sikh religion’s founder, Guru Nanak). This town is now the headquarter town of the new district: Nankana Sahib.

In 1930, the political party, the Muslim League, was introduced in the area. In November-December 1931, the city was provided with electricity. 7 people represented the district of Sheikhupura in the 21st Annual Meeting of the Muslim League held on March 22, 1940.

Sheikhupura was a prosperous region with its main economy supported by traders.

After Partition, the administration of the district remained unchanged until 2005 when Nankana Sahib tehsil of Sheikhupura district was upgraded to a district level.

Sheikhupura is well-known for being the birthplace of Syed Waris Shah who promoted spiritualism in this area. His folk story, the legendary love story of Heer Ranjha, has a significant place in Punjabi literature. The other religious and noble figures from the region include Hazrat Sher Muhammad Sharaqpuri, Hazrat Dewan, Baba Naulakh Hazari, and Pir Bahar Shah, who spent their whole lives preaching Islam. Fairs are held on the grounds of the Shrines of Mian Mohammad Sharaqpuri, and Pir Waris Shah, among others. The Gurdwara at Sacha Sauda is visited by a large number of Sikh pilgrims every year.

Governmental Structure; Sheikhupura District

At the Federal level, Sheikhupura district is allocated a set number of representatives in both the National Assembly and the Provincial Assembly:

• Number of seats in the National Assembly 6[6]
• Number of seats in the Provincial Assembly 6

Under the Local Government and Community Development Sheikhupura district has 1 District Council, and 10 Municipal Committees as follows:

• Sheikhupura
• Ferozewala
• Safdarabad
• Sharaqpur
• Muridke
• Farooqabad
• Kot Abdul Malik
• Khanqah Dogran
• Manawala
• Narang Mandi

Administrative Divisions; Sheikhupura district

Sheikhupura district covers an area of 4,298 km² and is subdivided into 5 Tehsils as follows:

Muridke Tehsil[7]	21 Union Councils
Ferozewala Tehsil	21 Union Councils
Sharaqpur Tehsil[8]	08 Union Councils
Sheikhupura Tehsil	51 Union Councils
Safdarabad Tehsil	11 Union Councils

Table 1.2 Sheikhupura Administrative Divisions

Heritage/Historical Buildings/Tourist Attractions; Sheikhupura district

Following are some of the notable historical places of Sheikhupura district:

• Hiran Minar; Sheikhupura district: This tower was constructed by Mughal Emperor Jehangir in memory of his pet deer, Mansraj. Its tower is 33 m high and 9 m wide, with 125 stairs. Adjacent to the Hiran Minar is a spacious tank and a three story Royal House now known as the Baradari, which is approached through a causeway. It is protected under Pakistan Laws
• Sheikhupura Fort; Sheikhupura district: This was also constructed by Emperor Jehangir in 1619. It is built on a high plinth which is reached by a flight of stairs. It is protected under Pakistan Laws
• Baoli and Mosque, Jandiala Sher Khan, Sheikhupura: Protected under Pakistan Laws, the mosque was built during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar. The shrine of Warris Shah is located in the mosque. Warris Shah is a well-known Punjabi poet and the author of the famous romantic story of Heer Ranjha
• Tomb of Abdullah Shah, Jandiala Sher Khan, Sheikhupura
• Mound Mian Ali Sahib, Mian Ali Faqiran, Sheikhupura: This mound is protected under Pakistan Laws
• Tomb of Noor Muhammad, Jandiala Sher Khan town; Sheikhupura district: This tomb is protected under Pakistan Laws
• Mound Kala Shah Kaku, Sheikhupura: This mound is also protected under Pakistan Laws
• Tomb of Hafiz Barkhurdar, Jandiala Sher Khan, Sheikhupura: It is protected under Pakistan Laws
• Tomb of Shah Jamal; Sheikhupura district: Also known as Shah Moti, this shrine is located near Sheikhupura fort
• Shrine of Mian Sher Muhammad Sharaqpuri; Sheikhupura district: Mian Sher Muhammad Sharaqpuri was born in 1865 AD in Sharaqpur (District Sheikhupura, Punjab). His father’s name was Mian Azizuddin. Mian Sher Muhammad was a strict observer of, and preacher of, the Quran and the Sunnah. He led a simple life and blessed numerous people, including Allama Muhammad Iqbal. He died on August 20, 1928, and was laid to rest in Sharaqpur. His shrine is located in the city’s vicinity
• Shrine of Syed Pir Bahar Shah, Sheikhupura
• Darbar Hazrat Mian Sher Muhammad, Sharaqpur Sharif, District Sheikhupura
• Muqadssa-e-Marium: A holy place for the Christian population

Some parks and gardens of the district include:

• Company Bagh; Sheikhupura district
• Jinnah Park; Sheikhupura district
• Ayesha Park; Sheikhupura district
• Stadium Park; Sheikhupura district
• Fatima Park; Sheikhupura district
• Jillani Park; Sheikhupura district
• Hockey ground; Sheikhupura district
• Shahdara Bagh; Sheikhupura district
• Qazi Park; Sheikhupura district
• Rahman Park; Sheikhupura district
• Karim Park; Sheikhupura district
• Water line Park; Sheikhupura district

Figure 1.6 Baradari, Hiran Minar Complex

Figure 1.7 Company Bagh, Sheikhupura

Figure 1.8 Tomb of Shah Jamal

Figure 1.9 Shrine of Sher Mohammad Sharaqpuri

Figure 1.10 Tomb of Waris Shah

Figure 1.11 Sheikhupura Stadium

Figure 1.12 Water Line Park Sheikhupura

[1] Indo-Scythian period was from 9^th century BC to 1^st century BC

[2] Provincial Gazetteer Punjab v. II

[3] 1998 District Profile Sheikhupura; by GoPakistan.

[4] The Singhpura Misl (misls were small sovereign states acquired by the Sikhs and named after the Warrior Chief who conquered it) got its name from Faizullapur, a village in Amritsar district which Kapur Singh wrested from its Muslim chief, Faizulla Khan. Kapur Singh changed the name of the village to Singhpura; the misl eventually followed suit and became Singhpuria Misl or Territory.

[5] Bar tract is the alluvial plain on which the city of Sheikhupura is located

[6] Three of the NA seats have been combined with Nankana Sahib district

[7] Originally part of Ferozewala Tehsil till 2005

[8] Originally part of Ferozewala Tehsil

Topography of Sheikhupura District

The district is part of the Rechna Doab[1] and consists of some recent sediment brought by spill channels from Chenab River.

The district can be divided into 3 main topographical regions:

• The Upland or Sandal Bar in the northwest
• Degh Valley
• The Lowland along River Ravi

The Upland or Sandal Bar; Sheikhupura district

Bar Upland or Sandal Bar is composed of areas of higher ground between rivers formed by erosion of old alluvium. Its surface is flat with a southwest slope. This area is also called scalloped interfluves, and is ideal for agriculture with the help of irrigation facilities.

Degh Valley; Sheikhupura district

This is the central portion of the district and consists of stiff soil.

Lowlands along River Ravi; Sheikhupura district

These lowlands are known as hithar and are inundated with water during floods in River Ravi in the Monsoon season. The Ravi silt is valued as a fertilizer.

Rivers, Streams, and Lakes; Sheikhupura district

The River Ravi, which forms the southern boundary of the district, enters it from Narowal district at Chak Zafarwal Dattan in the southeast and leaves it at Jhallar Lundi in the extreme southwest. Its course is winding, and at places, it completely disappears for short intervals. The Degh Nullah joins it to the south of Sharaqpur. The entire southern length of the district is fringed by the Ravi River.

Other smaller streams and nullahs of some importance in the district are the Bhed, Lila, Anai, and Niki Degh.

Forests; Sheikhupura district

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

Total Forest Area	4,871 A	Reserved Forests	4,015 A
District Govt.	– HA	Resumed Land	856 A
Linear Plantation	– km

Table 1.3 Sheikhupura Forest Statistics

There are no natural forests in the district mainly due to vast agricultural activities. However, according to the 1927 Forest Act Notification, the trees along canals, provincial highways, and rural roads are the responsibility of the Forest Department. These are classified as Reserved Forests.

The trees common in the area are rosewood (Dalbergia), sheesham (Dalbergia sisoo), kikar (Acacia Arabica; Acacia modesta), peelu (Salvadora persica), bohar (Ficus religiosa), gaz (Tamarix indica), neem (Azadrichta indica), eucalyptus and mesquite (Prosopis juliflora), wild berry/ ber (Zizyphus nummularia), poplar (Populus alba), mulberry (Morus alba), and jaamun (Syzygium cumini).

A part of the district that belongs to the 5-mile strip called Border Belt is a protected wildlife area.

Soils; Sheikhupura district

The soils in the northwest of the Uplands or Sandal Bar consist of heavy loam popularly known as missie. This is the most fertile soil but absorbs water very rapidly.

The soils of the Degh valley are stiff, consisting of either Rohi or Kalarthi[2] according to quantity of salts (kallar) present in it.

The silt brought in by River Ravi in the lowlying areas is light loam which is considered to be highly productive. But the quality of soil degenerates as the land slopes upwards. Generally, the soil all along the course of the river is light loam, and fairly productive.

Climate; Sheikhupura district

District Sheikhupura has an extreme climate, which means it gets very hot in the summer and cold in winter. The summer season is lengthy, and begins in April, continuing till October. The hottest months are May and June. The mean maximum and minimum temperatures during summer are 41 °C and 23 °C respectively. The winter is pleasant, with the coldest months being December and January. During this period, the mean maximum and minimum temperatures are 23 °C and 6 °C. From the middle of December to the middle of March, the air is very damp and cold.

Light to moderate rain falls at intervals. The winter rain is followed by a spell of pleasant weather. Towards the end of June, the Monsoon season begins. The average rainfall in the district is 635 mm.

Seismic Activity/Seismicity; Sheikhupura district

The district belongs to Zone 2A of the Seismic Zone Map of Pakistan, which means minor to moderate damage due to earthquakes.

[1] Rechna Doab is the area between River Chenab and River Ravi.

[2] Rohi soils range from clay loam to silty clay; Kalarthi soils contain salts

Population of Sheikhupura District

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

Name	Area km2	Population	Male%	Female%	Urban%	Growth Rate %
Sheikhupura District	3,242	3,460,426	51.7	48.3	34.7	2.22
Muridke Tehsil	Included in Ferozewala Tehsil	639,784
Sharaqpur Tehsil	Included in Ferozewala Tehsil	197,220
Ferozewala Tehsil	1,902	795,498
Sheikhupura Tehsil	1,339	1,555,424
Safdarabad Tehsil	1,057	272,500

Table 1.4 Sheikhupura Population Statistics

Religions; Sheikhupura district[1]

Muslims	94.8%
Christians	4.8%
Hindus	Negligible %
Ahmadis	0.25%
Scheduled Castes	Negligible %
Others	Negligible %

Table 1.5 Sheikhupura Religions

Languages; Sheikhupura district[2]

Urdu	1.2%
Punjabi	97.7%
Sindhi	Negligible %
Pushto	0.5%
Balochi	Negligible %
Seraiki	0.37%
Others	0.1%

Table 1.6 Sheikhupura Languages

[1] 1998 Census; 2017 Census data has not been made public yet.

[2] 1998 Census; 2017 Census data has not been made public yet.

Economic Activity – Economic Infrastructure

Economic Activity; Sheikhupura district

As a satellite town of Lahore, Sheikhupura has developed an industrial base. As per the 1998 Census (2017 Census data has not been made public), the industrial sector employs nearly 9.5% of the district’s total population. However, agriculture with its allied livestock breeding and fishing is still the main employer, with 29.6% of the total population employed in this sector. Other sectors contributing to the district’s economy include:

• Construction (37.5%)
• Community, Social and Personal Services (8%)
• Wholesale, Retail Trade, Restaurants and Hotels (6.7%)
• Mining and Quarrying (0.1%)

Land Use; Sheikhupura district

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

Total Area	429,800 HA	Reported Area	371,000 HA
Total Cultivated Area	319,000 HA	Net Sown	313,000 HA
Current Fallow	6,000 HA	Total Uncultivated Area	42,000 HA
Culturable Waste	18,000 HA	Forest Area	4,000 HA

Table 1.7 Sheikhupura Land Use Statistics

Irrigation Network; Sheikhupura district

The Upper Chenab Canal (UCC) and Lower Chenab Canal (LCC) are the major perennial canals that supply irrigation water to the district. The Marala-Ravi Link Canal, Bambawali-Ravi-Bedian (BRB) Link Canal and LCC supply irrigation waters to Ferozewala tehsil. Some of the smaller canals in the district are Sikhanwala Distributary, Sheikhupura Distributary, Shahdara Distributary, Munianwala Minor, and Mohan Devi Minor.

Irrigation Statistics as per Punjab Development Statistics 2018-19 are shown in the following table:

Total Irrigated Area	497,000 HA	Un-irrigated Area	– HA
Canal Irrigated	2,000 HA	Wells Irrigated	6,000 HA
Tube Well Irrigated Area	23,000 HA	Canal Tube Wells	426,000 HA
Canal Wells	40,000 HA	Others	– HA

Table 1.11 Sheikhupura Irrigation Statistics

Agriculture; Sheikhupura district

The district belongs to the Northern Irrigated Plains Agro-Ecological Zone of Pakistan. Agriculture and its allied livestock breeding is the main occupation of the rural areas of the district, with nearly 35.9% of just the rural population engaged in this occupation.

Sugarcane, wheat, rice, bajra, barley, gram, jowar, maize, maash, moong, masoor, rapeseed, mustard, canola, sesanum, sugarbeet, guarseed, linseed, sunflower, sunn hemp, cotton, groundnut, and tobacco are the main crops grown in the district.

Citrus, mangos, bananas, guavas, leechee, jaamun, phalsa, mulberry, and ber are some of the fruits grown in the district.

Chilies, onions, potatoes, tomatoes, coriander, turmeric, garlic, peas, carrots, cauliflower, cabbage, turnip, okra, garlic, radish, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, water chestnut, bitter gourd, bottle gourd, and brinjal are the vegetable crops of the district.

Figure 1.3 Grape cultivation in Sheikhupura

Figure 1.4 Rice Fields Sheikhupura

Livestock Breeding; Sheikhupura district

Livestock breeding is an important economic activity of the district. The following table shows the livestock statistics of Sheikhupura district according to Pakistan Livestock Census 2010 (latest available) as quoted in Punjab Development Statistics 2018-19:

Cattle	210,000 Heads	Buffaloes	297,000 Heads	Sheep	248,000 Heads
Goats	82,000 Heads	Camels	21 Heads	Horses	3,887 Heads
Mules	3,738 Heads	Asses	40,502 Heads

Table 1.8 Sheikhupura Livestock Statistics

Nili Ravi, lohi sheep, beetal goat, and beetal-spotted goat are indigenous breeds of livestock in Sheikhupura district.

Poultry Farms; Sheikhupura district

Table 17 (Number of Commercial Poultry Farms and Number of Birds by Size of Flock) shows that, in total, there are 437 poultry farms in the district. Number of privately owned poultry farms in the District as per Punjab Development Statistics 2018-19 is 727 broiler, 45 layer and 22 poultry breeding farms.

Fishing; Sheikhupura district

Fishing is carried out in the River Ravi Border Area[1] including the dhands of Ferozewala tehsil, Marla Ravi Link Canal, and Upper Chenab Canal.

Bee Keeping; Sheikhupura district

In Pakistan, honey bee colonies were introduced in the 1980s, and since then, more than 300,000 honey bee colonies have been successfully established in Pakistan, including the Sheikhupura district.

Figure 1.14 Farooqabad Canal, Farooqabad

Minerals and Mining; Sheikhupura district

The district has no mineral deposits, so there is no mining activity.

Industry and Manufacturing; Sheikhupura district

Sheikhupura district is a satellite town of Lahore, and is thus, highly industrialized. Even though there is no industrial estate in the district, there are 591 small,[2] medium, and large enterprises operating. The following table shows the type and number of industries in the district:

Type of Industry	Number of Units	Type of Industry	Number of Units
AC/ Refrigerators/ Deep Freezers	01	Boiler	01
Carpets	01	Chemicals	28
Chip/ Straw Board	16	Cold Storage	13
Confectionary	01	Cutlery	01
Cycle Tire/Tubes	02	Dairy Products	01
Drugs & Pharmaceuticals	25	Embroidery	17
Essence	01	Fertilizers	02
Flour Mills	23	Fruit Juices	02
G.I/M.S Pipes	19	Glass & Glass Products	08
Iron & Steel Rerolling	44	Jute Textile	02
Knitted Textile	05	Leather Footwear	06
Leather Products	10	Safety Matches	01
Motor Cycle/Rickshaws	02	Paper & Paper Board	41
Pencils & Ball Points	01	Poly Propylene bags	07
Polyester Yarn	07	Polythene Bags	01
Poultry Feed	05	Power Generation	14
Rice Mills	97	Soaps & Detergents	07
Sodium Silicate	08	Solvent Oil Extraction	04
Sulphuric Acid	05	Surgical Instrument	01
Synthetic Resin	01	Tanneries	26
Textile Processing	20	Textile Spinning	59
Textile Weaving	10	Tractor Parts	03
Tires & Tubes	02	Vegetable Ghee/Oil	15
Wire & Cables	08	Woolen Textile Weaving/ Spinning	10
Caustic Soda	01	Tents	04
Tractors	02

Table 1.9 Sheikhupura Industries

Trade (Import/Export); Sheikhupura district

The major trade items of the district are the industrial goods cited above.

Handicrafts; Sheikhupura district

The district is not known for its handicrafts or cottage industry.

 

Economic Infrastructure; Sheikhupura district

The district is linked with Lahore, Hafizabad, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, and Nankana Sahib districts through black topped roads. The main Peshawar-Karachi railway line passes through the city and it is one of the more important railway stations on this specific route. The district is linked with Lahore and Faisalabad districts through the Pakistan Railway network.

Road Statistics; Sheikhupura district

The following table shows the road statistics as cited in Punjab Development Statistics 2018-19:

Total Black Topped Roads	1,701.0 km
National Highways	31.8 km
Motorways	67.5 km
Provincial Highways	1,585.1 km
Sugar Cess Roads	16.6 km

Table 1.10 Sheikhupua Road Satistics

Some of the important roads of the district are

• Lahore-Islamabad Motorway (M 2, which passes through Sheikhupura)
• Lahore–Sheikhupura Road
• Shekhupura-Sharaqpur Road
• Lahore Sargodha Road which passes through Sheikhupura
• National Highway N 5 (old GT[1] Road) passes through Shahdara (Ferozewala Tehsil)
• Shekhupura-Gujranwala Road

Figure 1.13 Bhatti Chowk Sheikhupura

Rail and Airways; Sheikhupura district

The district is linked with Gujranwala and Faisalabad districts through the Pakistan Railway network. Important railway stations in the district include Sheikhupura, Shahdara Bagh, Qila Sattar Shah Railway Station, Kala Shah Kaku Railway Station, Buhrianwala Railway Station, and Missan Kallar Railway Station. In all, there are 13 railway stations[2] in the district.

There is no commercial or military airport/ airbase in the district. The nearest commercial airport is Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore.

Radio and Television; Sheikhupura district

There is 1 privately-owned radio station in Sheikhupura district (AWAZ FM Radio). Even though there is no TV station in the district, TV can be viewed through boosters and cable.

Telecommunications; Sheikhupura district

Pakistan Telecommunications Ltd. has established a network of telephone lines. In all there are 32 telephone exchanges[3] operating in the district, ranging in capacity from 50 lines to 7,822 lines. In addition, a number of cellular companies also provide their services in the district.

Post Offices/ Courier Services; Sheikhupura district

There are 27 offices[4] of Pakistan Post in the city district, with 3 offices in Ferozewala tehsil, 2 in Sharaqpur tehsil, 7 in Muridke tehsil, 13 in Sheikhupura tehsil, and 2 in Safdarabad tehsil.

Banking/ Financial Institutions; Sheikhupura district

There are 92 branches[5] of various banks in the district, with 25 branches in Ferozewala tehsil, 15 in Sharaqpur tehsil, 20 in Muridke tehsil, 32 branches in Sheikhupura tehsil, and none in Safdarabad tehsil.

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.
• Askari Bank Ltd.
• Allied Bank Ltd.
• Bank Alfalah Ltd.
• Bank Al Habib Ltd.
• Habib Bank Ltd.
• KASB Bank Ltd.
• National Bank of Pakistan Ltd.
• National Investment Bank Ltd.
• Silk Bank Ltd.
• Soneri Bank Ltd.
• Standard Chartered Bank Ltd.
• The Bank of Punjab Ltd.
• The Punjab Provincial Cooperative Bank Ltd.
• United Bank Ltd.
• Zarai Taraqiati Bank Ltd.

In all there are 131 branches of various conventional banks and 29 branches of different Islamic banks in the District.

Electricity and Gas; Sheikhupura district

There are 12 grid stations[6] ranging in capacity from 66 KV to 132 KV in the district; there is one newly constructed grid station of 220 KV capacity.

Gas connection for residential purposes is available in Sheikhupura city, Farooqabad, Muridke, and Narang Mandi.

Educational Institutions; Sheikhupura 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	579/395	Middle Schools	103/151
Secondary Schools	79/74	Higher Secondary	10/17
Degree Colleges	09/21	Other Higher Secondary[7]	01/03
Other Degree Colleges[8]	06/16	Technical Training Institutes[9]	06/02
Vocational Institutes[10]	-/02	Commercial Training Institutes[11]	03/-
Universities	–	Govt. Mosque Schools	18/02
Medical Schools[12]	01	Engineering Schools[13]	01
Law Schools	01	Cadet Colleges	–

Table 1.12 Sheikhupura Educational Institutions: Government

In addition there are a large number of privately owned educational institutions which impart education at all levels.

Figure 1.15 Government College, Sheikhupura

Healthcare Facilities; Sheikhupura district

The District Health Officer (DHO) is overall in charge of health services provided in the district. This 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	09/824	Dispensaries	14/-
Rural Health Centers	09/120	Basic Health Units	82/158
T B Clinics	-/-	Mother Child Health Centers	04/04
Sub-Health Centers	-/-	Private Hospitals	03/110
Private Healthcare Providers[14]	69

Table 1.14 Sheikhupura Health Institutions

Policing; Sheikhupura district

The Deputy Inspector General Police (DIGP) looks after Sheikhupura Region which comprises of Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, and Kasur districts. Sheikhupura district is further subdivided into 5 subdivisions, with 16 police stations.[15] 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.

[1] Grand Trunk Road

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[12] Amna Inayat Medical College (private)

[13] Campus of University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore in Kala Shah Kaku

[14] Three Year Rolling Plan 2010-13 District Sheikhupura GoPunjab; Latest available.

[15] Punjab Development Statistics 2018-19

[1] Fishing Manual by Fisheries Department, Punjab.

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

Environment and Biodiversity; Sheikhupura District

The district is located in the moist temperate zone, and receives rains during the summer Monsoon. Since there is no industrial estate, the industries are scattered in various places across the district, which has contributed to both air and water pollution.

Flora and Fauna; Sheikhupura District

Flora; Sheikhupura District

Flora commonly found in the district are vann (Salvadora oleoides), jand (Prosopis cineraria), karir (Capparis aphylla), babul (Acacia nilotica), shisham (Dalbergio sissoo), sufaida (Eucalyptus camaldulensis), bakain (Melia azederach), toot (Morus alba), mesquite (Prosopis juliflora), semal (Bombax ceiba), sukh chain (Pongamia glabra), bohr (Ficus bengalensis), neem (Azadiracta indica), pipal (Ficus religosa), lani (Suaeda fruticosa), boi (Kochia indica), brown beetle grass (Diplachne fusca), halfa grass (Desmostachya bipinnata), camel thorn (Alhagi maurorum), bulrush (Typha angustata), aseer or khas (Vetiveria zizanioides), and beard grass (Polypogon monspeliensis).

Fauna; Sheikhupura District

Owing to industrialization, there is very little wildlife in the district. Wild boar, jackals, and hare, however, are still found in the riverine tracts.

Water fowls, black and grey partridges, falcon, eagles, quails, starling, jungle pigeon, Russian sparrow, various kinds of doves, ducks, egrets, king fisher, snipes, parrots, local sparrow, and crows are the common avifauna in the district.

The Border Belt Game Reserve harbors mammals such as hedgehog, rhesus monkeys, jackal, jungle cat, Indian mongoose, wild boar, hog deer, Indian hare, striped palm squirrel, porcupine, house rat, and mole rat, among others.

The avifauna of the Game Reserve includes little grebe, little cormorant, grey heron, cattle egret, little egret, Indian pond heron, bar-headed goose, ruddy shelduck, pintail, common teal, mallard, northern shoveler, Eurasian widgeon, spot-billed duck, common pariah kite, black-winged kite, crested honey buzzard, marsh harrier, rough-legged buzzard, long-legged buzzard, laggar falcon, shaheen falcon, Indian peafowl, black partridge, grey partridge, common quail, rain quail, white-breasted water hen, coot, purple swamp hen, black-winged stilt, northern lapwing, red-wattled lapwing, little ringed plover, green shank, red shank, common sandpiper, Indian river tern, blue rock pigeon, Indian ring dove, little brown dove, spotted dove, rose-ringed parakeet, crow pheasant, pied cuckoo, long-eared owl, Indian night jar, wire tail swallow, common kingfisher, white-throated kingfisher, pied kingfisher, little green bee-eater, Indian roller, Kashmir roller, hoopoe, crested lark, sky lark, common swallow, sand martin, house martin, large pied wagtail, white wagtail, yellow wagtail, red-vented bulbul, Indian robin, jungle babbler, common babbler, bay back shrike, grass hopper warbler, Indian prinia, shy prinia, brown chiff chaff, red start, blue rock thrush, common myna, baya weaver bird, and the spotted munia.

Reptilian fauna includes various types of snakes and lizards.

Protected Wildlife Areas and Endangered Species; Sheikhupura District

The only wildlife protected area in the district is the 5 km Border Belt between India and Pakistan. This Border Belt provides sanctuary to all the mammals and birds found in the area listed in the Fauna section.