Manchester of Pakistan: Journey From Lyallpur to Faisalabad
On 1 September 1977, the Government of Pakistan changed the name of the city from Lyallpur to Faisalabad (‘City of Faisal’) in honor of King Faisal of Saudi Arabia, who made several financial contributions to Pakistan. City was named after Sir James Lyall, the then Lt Governor of Punjab
Faisalabad formerly known as Lyallpur named after the founder of the city is the third-most-populous city in Pakistan after Karachi and Lahore respectively, and the second-largest in the eastern province of Punjab. Historically one of the first planned cities within British India, it has long since developed into a cosmopolitan metropolis. Faisalabad was restructured into city district status; a devolution promulgated by the 2001 local government ordinance (LGO). The total area of the Faisalabad District is 5,856 km2 (2,261 sq mi) while the area controlled by the Faisalabad Development Authority (FDA) is 1,280 km2 (490 sq mi). Faisalabad has grown to become a major industrial and distribution center because of its central location in the region and connecting roads, rails, and air transportation. It has been referred to as the “Manchester of Pakistan”. As of 2013, the GDP (PPP) of Faisalabad was estimated at $43 billion and projected to rise to $87 billion in 2025 at a growth rate of 5.7%. Faisalabad contributes over 10 percent to Punjab’s GDP and has an average annual GDP (nominal) of $20.5 billion. Agriculture and industry remain its hallmark.
History Of Faisalabad
A tiny town founded only to act as an agricultural market/mandi has now grown into a giant size metropolitan city, which enjoys the third position in the country, as far as population and industrial growth is concerned. The present Faisalabad district came into existence in 1904 as Lyallpur district. Earlier, it was a Tehsil of Jhang district. During the later part of the 19th century, the Government of India initiated a great system of artificial irrigation through the construction of canals.
The area of Faisalabad district was part of three districts via Gujranwala, Jhang, and Sahiwal. This area was located between river Ravi and River Chenab and formed part of Rachna Doab. The name Lyallpur was given with a view to paying tribute to Sir James Lyall, Lt. Governor of Punjab, for his services rendered in the colonization of the lower Chenab valley. The design of the town was prepared by Captain Popham Young C.I.E, a colonization officer. In 1896, Lyallpur tehsil comprised of Gujranwala, Jhang, and Sahiwal and was under the administrative control of district Jhang.
Faisalabad, formerly (until 1979) Lyallpur, city, east-central Punjab province, Pakistan, in the Rechna Doab upland. The city, the district headquarters, is a distributing centre centrally located in the Punjab plain and connected by road, rail, and air with Multan and Lahore and by air with Lahore and Karachi. When founded in 1890, it was named for Sir Charles James Lyall, lieutenant governor of the Punjab. It became headquarters of the Lower Chenab colony and in 1898 was incorporated as a municipality. Industries produce chemical fertilizer, synthetic fibres, drugs and pharmaceuticals, canned products, ghee (clarified butter), oil, soap, textiles, hosiery, sugar, and flour. It is also a wholesale market for cloth and grain. Amenities include two parks, several schools, the West Pakistan Agricultural University (established 1961), and a number of colleges.
8 Bazaars Around Clock Tower Faisalabad
The British people left amazing artwork and magnificent architectural designs in the buildings of Pakistan. Faisalabad, which is the third-largest city of Pakistan, owns the presence of the clock tower which is standing alone around the 8 bazaars around clock tower Faisalabad. This clock tower has the Urdu version also as “Ghanta Ghar”. The ex-name of Faisalabad was Lyallpur, and this city came into existence in the last decade of the 19th century. Presently, Faisalabad is home to a flourishing material industry, and the fabrics arranged here are sent out the world over.
Clock Tower or Ghanta Ghar is the most recognized building of Faisalabad. It is not only the center of the city, it is also the center of all the activities that happen in the city. During election season, each political party tries to hold rallies at this spot. The same is done for all political demonstrations. The central rally of Eid Milad Nabi religious festival and the biggest procession of Moharram (annual religious event) is also held at Ghanta Ghar each year.
The eight markets (bazaars) each have unique product types for sale. You cannot travel all eight bazaars in one day. You need a single day to visit all the shops of one bazaar only. Each bazaar sells a very different item as compared to the other bazaars around the Ghanta Ghar. You may be continuously reading about the Eight Bazaars around clock tower Faisalabad and maybe wonder with the questions revolving in your mind what are these bazaars are and what their names are.
- Katchery Bazaar Faisalabad
- Chinot Bazaar Faisalabad
- Aminpur Bazaar Faisalabad
- Bhawana Bazaar Faisalabad
- Jhang Bazaar Faisalabad
- Montgomery Bazaar Faisalabad
- Karkhana Bazaar Faisalabad
- Rail Bazaar Faisalabad
“At the time of its creation, it was a thinly populated greenish abode to people. But, time turned it into a third most populated city of the country and in this process, it lost its greenery,” said Dr. Kokab.
City Of textile Faisalabad
Faisalabad is the largest industrial and metropolitan city in Pakistan. Faisalabad is quite diverse with respect to its culture. The culture of Faisalabad is quite diverse because it is an industrial city and people from all over Pakistan come to work here. Faisalabad is one of the important cities of Pakistan. It is also an ancient of Pakistan. Previously known as Lyallpur, it is an extremely industrialized city of Pakistan. It serves as the backbone of the textile industry of our country.
The reason Faisalabad is called Manchester of Pakistan is that it’s the biggest textile city of Pakistan and all the industries here are related to textiles and the same is Manchester in the UK so these cities are also named as Twin cities.
