Faisalabad
is the third largest city of Pakistan and is located
in the East-Central part of Punjab Province of Pakistan,
to the West of Lahore in the area called "Rechna
Doab Upland". It is bounded by Hafizabad district
in the North, Sheikhupura district, in the East, and
the Ravi River in the South, and the Jhang district
in the West. Faisalabad is situated 360 kms south of
Islamabad.
Formerly
this city was known as Lyallpur till 1979, on Sir Charles
James Lyall, the erstwhile British Lieutenant Governor
of Punjab, who founded this city in 1890. The name Faisalabad
was given in honour of king Faisal of Saudi Arabia.
Faisalabad is also known as the Manchester of Pakistan.
This is because it is famed for its textile mills.
The
Streets of Faisalabad Video
The
main market area of Faisalabad is called the Ghanta
Ghar. This is actually the Clock Tower and was built
in 1895. It has eight roads leading from it into eight
market areas and has been designed on the Union Jack.
Each of these markets sells different types of commodities.
D Ground is the second most important market area of
Faisalabad after Ghanta Ghar.
Faisalabad
is affected by extreme climatic conditions. Temperatures
range from 4 degrees centigrade in winter to 48 degrees
in summer. It is basically very dry and rainfall is
very scanty. The monsoons are from July to September.
Sometimes during winter, there is rainfall in this district.
Faisalabad
is connected by rail and road with Lahore and Multan
and by air with Karachi and Lahore. Faisalabad has been
fed with modern motorways from Lahore and Rawalpindi.
The Faisalabad International Airport is situated approximately
10 kms from the centre of the city that is the Clock
Tower. This airport caters to both domestic and international
flights.
Important
industries include textiles, food, synthetics and chemicals.
The West Pakistan Agricultural University founded in
1909 is located at Faisalabad. The other important educational
institution of fame is the Punjab Medical College. The
Punjab Institute of Nuclear Medicine and the very famous
National Textile University are located here too.
The places of interest in and around Faisalabad are
the Clock Tower, the Victoria Memorial Chowk, Jinnah
Garden, The Allama Iqbal stadium etc. Other Buildings
of the colonial era are The General Post Office and
the Old General Bus Stand. The Faisalabad Hockey Stadium,
The Gumti Water Fountain, Sindbad, Rex City are places
which will also interest a newcomer to the city.
The
City offers accommodation to travellers with varied
budgets. The Faisalabad Serena Hotel is a star hotel
and is located at Club Road. The other hotels of repute
are the East Inn Hotel at Sheikhupura Road. Budget hotels
worth mentioning are Rays, Prime, National, Rex and
Grace Hotel.
