Happy TravellerWelcome to Gujar Khan, a city located in Rawalpindi District, Punjab, Pakistan. This city is the headquarters of Gujar Khan Tehsil, the largest tehsil of Punjab by land area. Gujar Khan is approximately 57 km (35 mi) southeast of Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, and 220 km (140 mi) to the northwest of Lahore, the capital of Punjab. The city is bounded on the north by Rawalpindi, Islamabad, and Attock, on the south by Jhelum, Lahore, and Gujrat, on the east by Azad Kashmir, and Kahuta and on the west by Chakwal and Khushab. Gujar Khan is located in the heart of the Potohar region, which is renowned for its martial culture and is sometimes referred to as the Land of the Shaheed, having produced two recipients of the Nishan-i-Haider.
Gujar Khan has a rich history and was named due to the large population of Gujjars which inhabited this area. A large Gujjar settlement is still present in the Gujar Khan Tehsil. Gujar Khan also contained a notable Hindu and Sikh population, though much of this population migrated to India following partition. However, the area is still home to Hindu temples and Sikh Gurdwaras which have not been maintained through the years. Today, most of the population is Muslim.
Gujar Khan is administratively subdivided into 36 union councils, whereas City Gujar Khan is administered by municipal corporation. According to the 2017 census of Pakistan, the city had a population of 678,503.
Gujar Khan is rich in natural resources. Large reserves of oil and gas were discovered in February 2002 at Tobra, about ten kilometres from Gujar Khan. The field is being developed by the Oil and Gas Development Company. The field could produce 1,600 barrels of crude oil daily. Missa Kaswal and Ahdi is also a major source of energy in Gujar khan. Missa Kaswal is supplying several cubic meters of gas on a daily basis and is also extracting large quantities of oil.
Transportation in Gujar Khan is easily accessible. The city is located on the N5 National highway from Islamabad-Lahore. Railway Road links from the east of the city to the nearby towns of Bewal and Islampura. There are also many other minor roads linking the villages and towns of the region to the city. The Gujar Khan railway station is located in the center of the city and provides links to Rawalpindi, Jhelum, and Lahore. Local services also provide extensive bus routes to local towns, and smaller shuttles go around the villages in the surrounding area. There are also services to Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Jhelum, and Lahore. Local auto-rickshaw drivers also provide transport for people in and around the city.
Gujar Khan has produced many notable people, including Raja Muhammad Sarwar, the first recipient of Nishan-e-Haider, the highest military award of Pakistan, Chaudhry Muhammad Riaz, a politician, Mohammad Amir, a cricketer, Muhammad Javed Ikhlas, a former MPA and MNA from Pakistan Muslim League (N), Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, a former prime minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Hussain Janjua, the first soldier to be awarded Nishan-e-Haider, Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, a former Chief of Army Staff, Pakistan Army, and Najaf Shah, a cricketer.
If you’re looking for a historical site to visit, check out Sangni Fort. This fort is a great example of the rich history of the area and is a must-see for anyone visiting Gujar Khan.
Come and experience the rich history, natural resources, and friendly people of Gujar Khan. This hidden gem is waiting to be discovered by travelers from all over the world.
