Happy TravellerWelcome to Sahiwal, a vibrant city located in the heart of Punjab, Pakistan. Formerly known as Montgomery, Sahiwal is the administrative capital of both Sahiwal District and Sahiwal Division. With a population of over 650,000 people, it is the 21st largest city in Pakistan. Sahiwal is situated approximately 180 km from Lahore and 100 km from Faisalabad, making it a convenient stop for travelers exploring the region.
Sahiwal is a city steeped in history, with a rich cultural heritage that dates back centuries. The city was ruled by the Arabs of Emirate of Multan for a few centuries following the Ummayad Arab conquest of Punjab cities of Uch and Multan, led by Muhammad bin Qasim. Sahiwal also remained associated with the historic city of Depalpur. The modern-day city of Sahiwal was founded in 1865 when a train station was built at the site of a small village on the Karachi-Lahore railway line. The site was named Montgomery for Sir Robert Montgomery, then lieutenant governor of the Punjab, and it replaced Gogera as the capital of the recently created Montgomery district. Two years later, in 1867, it was constituted a municipality.
One of the main attractions of Sahiwal is its location between the Sutlej and Ravi rivers, which makes it a fertile region for agriculture. The principal crops grown in the area include wheat, cotton, tobacco, legumes, potato, and oil seeds. Cotton goods and lacquered woodwork are also manufactured in the city.
Sahiwal has a subtropical climate, with hot summers and cool winters. The average temperature in the summer can reach up to 52°C, while in the winter it can drop down to 2°C. The soil of the district is very fertile, and the average rainfall is about 2000 mm.
Sahiwal is home to several notable educational institutes, including the University of Sahiwal, COMSATS University, Sahiwal Campus, Barani Institute of Sciences, Sahiwal Medical College, Quaid-e-Azam College of Engineering and Technology, Sahiwal, Punjab College of Science, The Superior College, Army Public Schools & Colleges System (APSCS), Beaconhouse School System, Bloomfield Hall School, The City School, Divisional Public School and College, The Educators, Government Postgraduate College Sahiwal, Government College of Technology Sahiwal, and Royal Computer Training Institute Sahiwal.
Sahiwal is twinned with the town of Rochdale in Greater Manchester, North West England. Approximately eight percent of the town’s population is of Asian origin, most of whom have links with Pakistan. The twinning arrangement was agreed between Rochdale and Sahiwal in 1998.
Sahiwal has produced several notable people, including Mushtaq Ahmed, former test cricketer, Majeed Amjad, Urdu poet, Tariq Aziz, television anchor, H.K.L Bhagat, politician and former Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs of India, Dildar Pervaiz Bhatti, (TV artist, compere, comedian, anchor), Brigadier Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, Indian Army Officer, Attash Durrani, Urdu writer and Scholar, Manzoor Elahi, former test cricketer, Mehdi Hasan, journalist and historian, Rana Mohammad Hanif Khan, politician and former Finance Minister of Pakistan, Nazir Naji journalist and Urdu columnist for various media groups, Emmanuel Neno, Christian author and translator, Kunwar Mohinder Singh Bedi Sahar, Urdu Poet, Nouraiz Shakoor, politician and former Federal minister, and Saieen Zahoor, Sufi musician.
Whether you’re interested in history, culture, or simply want to experience the vibrant energy of a bustling Pakistani city, Sahiwal has something to offer everyone. Come and explore this hidden gem for yourself and discover why Sahiwal should be on every traveler’s bucket list.
