Pakpattan is located in the province of Punjab, Pakistan. It is also the administrative headquarter of the Pakpattan district and is 169 km from Lahore, the provincial capital. The city is well-known for being the resting place of Sufi saints.
The Shrine of the prominent Punjabi poet and Sufi saint, Baba Fariduddin Ganjshakar, is the most visited place. The town is religiously and culturally vibrant. It is estimated that approximately two million devotees attend annual Urs to homage this great Sufi, which creates many business activities in the city and generates a handsome amount of earnings.
The town is also the custodian of the Sunni Sufism of the Chisti order in Pakistan. This article contains all the information about the city, including Pakpattan History.
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| Information | |
| Location: | Pakistan |
| In Urdu : | پاکپتّن |
| City Council: | Government of Punjab |
| Type: | The capital city of the Pakpattan District |
| Local Language Name: | Urdu, Punjabi |
| Province: | Punjab |
| Coordinates : | 30.345°N 73.385°E |
| District: | Pakpattan District |
| Region: | Punjab |
| Elevation: | 156 m (512 ft) |
| Language | |
| Official Language: | Urdu |
| Native Language: | Punjabi |
| Other Languages: | Urdu.Punjabi.English |
| Government | |
| Type: | Government Of Punjab |
| District Coordination Officer: | District Co-ordination Officer Under Provincial Government |
| Area | |
| Total Area: | 821.11 km2 (317.03 sq mi) |
| Population | |
| Total Population: | 1,584,285 (2010) |
| Time zone | |
| Time zone: | PST (UTC+5) |
| Codes | |
| Postal code: | 57400 |
| Dialing code: | 0457 |
| Vehicle registration: | Three letters beginning with P and random four numbers |
Table of Contents
Pakpattan History
It is a historical place, and according to historians, its history is more than 25000 years old. Its ancient name was Ajodhan, which and is mentioned in 25000 years old earliest Hindu religious scriptures. The town was used as a trade route and a ferry service over the River Sutlej, connecting Multan to Dehli.
Ghaznavid Dynasty
Because of this importance, the area was vulnerable to foreign invaders who always strived to control this region. Alexander the Great was shot with an arrow in Malika Hans, a historical town in Pakpattan. in 977–78 CE, this region was conquered by the founder of the Ghaznavid dynasty, Sabuktakin. In 1079–80, another Turk of the Ghaznavid dynasty, Ibrahim Ghaznavi, seized control.
Expansion of Islam
The expanding Mongol empire compelled Turks to settle here and practice Islam. They built a mosque to spread Islam in Ajodhan even before Baba Farid arrived here in 1195. Soon after his arrival, the teaching of Islam and his devotees kept flourishing. In 1265, a shrine was built as a commemoration by his devotees.
Even during the Mughal rule, towns’ importance as a trade route, ferry service over the River Sutlag, between Multan and Dehli, was prevailed. Later the town was renamed Pakpattan.
Raja Ranjit Control
From the declining Mughal empire, Raja Ranjit took control of this region in 1810. Subsequently, the British defeated Sikhs in 1849 and made Pakpattan a district headquarter. The town was made part of Montgomery in 1856. Because of its Muslim majority population, the people kept supporting the movement for independence until 1947.
Geography
On the political map, the geographical coordinates of the city are 25°20′39′′N (latitude) and 73°23′2′′E (longitude), and its elevation above sea level is 512ft. (156m). The district’s total area is 2724 km2 (1692.61 mi2) in length, which is bounded southeast by the Sutlej River.
Pakpattan Climate
The geographical location of the town results in all the four seasons similar to the neighboring regions. The hot, clear, and humid summers continue for mostly three and a half months. The maximum hotness could reach 42°C. During the year, the temperature can range from 4.12°C to 41.11°C.
During the winter season, an average temperature of 13.33°C is recorded, and the season dissipates after two and a half months. The showery period nearly lasts for 7.7 months, producing a moderate yearly rain of 53.34 mm.
Population
The city is home to 176,693 residents, as per the 2017 census, and is the 48th most populous city by inhabitants in Pakistan. The population density of the district is 631.4/km² (392.33/mi2).
Pakpattan Culture
The town cherishes and celebrates multicultural diversity. This diversity’s main reason is the influence and interaction with the pilgrimage of devotees that visit here throughout the year. Being the town of Baba Farid, religious values and practices are passionately followed.
People are polite, cooperative, and welcoming. Local as well as western cuisines, are available throughout the town. There are many souvenir and gift item shops, restaurants, and small and medium-sized hotels in the town center. Urs, Qawali, and Dhamal mesmerize visitors.
Education
According to the statistics published by the Punjab government, the average literacy rate in Pakpattan is 60.7%. New private sector educational institutes are increasing, and the government takes new initiatives to improve the region’s number of institutions.
Following is the list of some institutes offering primary, secondary, and tertiary level education:
- Abaid Ullah Group Of Colleges
- Al Raafy Computer College
- Allied Schools
- Aspire Group of colleges Campus
- Brains College
- Dar-e-Arqam Schools
- Government Faridia Postgraduate College
- Govt Institute of Commerce Arifwala
- Govt. Institute of Commerce
- Govt. Technical Training Centre
- Govt. Women College
- M.A. Jinnah School System
- Pakleeds Group of Colleges
- Pakpattan PeraMedical College
- Premier Public School
- Punjab Group of Colleges
- Stars Academy
- Superior College
- Superior Group of Colleges Pak Pattan
- The Spirit School (Hasan Campus)
- The University of Lahore
- University of Lahore Pakpattan Campus
- Virtual University AIMS Campus
- Vocational Training Institute (Main Campus)
Sports
People are fond of watching and playing:
- Cricket
- Football
- Hokey
Economy
In addition to agribusiness and manufacturing units, the pilgrimage of millions of devotees flourishes the local economy. It contributes a healthy amount of share in the economic development and GDP of Pakistan.
Industry
The city’s industrial zone hosts several mills, manufacturing units, and factories, providing work opportunities and income sources for livelihood to the locals. Some of the industrial companies located in the town include:
- Al Fatha Zarai Industry
- Barkat Rice Industry
- Chaudhry Brothers Marble Industry
- Embroidery Machine Small Industry
- Mian Brothers Cotton Industry
- Mian Rice Industry
- Pak Industries
- Punjab Zarai Industries
- Saddique Glass Industries
- Servis (Shoes Factory)
- Shama Industry
- Waqas Oil Mills
Agriculture
The inhabitant of the town is majorly engaged in the horticulture profession. The region is famous for its fertile and conducive soil for farming. The suburbs and outskirts are abundant in lush green orchards and cotton fields, rice, sugarcane, maize, wheat, oranges, guava, potatoes, carrots, and mangoes.
Tourism
The city is considered as a city of shrines. Several Sufi saints settled here to spread the teachings of Islam. A bulk of tourists visit this town to pay tribute, respect, and participate in Urs. The most commonly seen sites include:
- Shrine of Baba Fareed Gang Shakar
- Shrine and Darbar of Hazrat Khawaja Aziz Makki Sarkar
- Shrine of Khawaja Amoor ul Hasan
Languages
Following languages are spoken and understood:
- Punjabi
- Urdu
- Haryanvi
- Rangari
- Mewati
Travel
A network of roads connects the town with other regions. The National highway N-5, Depalpur Road, Sahiwal road, Hota road, and Pakpattan road provide connectivity for by-road travelers. Several conveyance services such as private omnibuses and buses are operational for this area from all major cities.
Travelers and vacationers from all over Pakistan can reach the city by choosing one of these services. The city is connected to the outer regions by a network of railroads. The railway station, established in 1924, is located 2.4 km from the central part of the city and serves as a junction for incoming and outgoing trains.
There is no domestic or international airport in the city. However, other air routes to the nearby airports include:
- Faisalabad International Airport (LYP), Faisalabad 119.3 km
- Alama Iqbal International Airport (LHE), Lahore, 161.65 km
- Multan International Airport, (MUX), Multan, 190.91 km
Pakpattan Postal Code
Postal Code: 57400
Area Code: 0457