Sahiwal

Sahiwal (Punjabi / Urdu: ساہيوال) is a city in central Punjab, Pakistan. It used to be called Montgomery when British India ruled the area. Today, it helps manage both Sahiwal District and Sahiwal Division.

Sahiwal is the 19th most populous city of Pakistan, based on the 2023 census. The city is about 180 km from the big city Lahore and around 100 km from Faisalabad. It sits between Lahore and Multan.

The city of Sahiwal is roughly 152 meters above sea level.

Historical background

The ancient city of Harappa is one of the big places from the Indus Valley Civilisation. It is located just 24 kilometers (15 miles) west of Sahiwal.

The modern city of Sahiwal started in 1865 when a train station was built. This was at the site of a small village on the Karachi-Lahore railway line. The city was named Montgomery for Sir Robert Montgomery, who was an important leader at the time. It replaced Gogera as the capital of a new area called Montgomery district. Two years later, in 1867, it became a municipality.

Climate

The climate in Sahiwal is very hot and dry, often reaching up to 47 °C in the summer. In the winter, temperatures can drop to about 5 °C. The land is good for growing crops because the soil is rich. Sahiwal gets about 685 mm of rain each year, with the most rain falling during the summer monsoon season.

Demography

According to the 2023 census, Sahiwal city had a population of 538,344.

Most people in Sahiwal speak Punjabi. Urdu is the next most common language. A small number of people speak Pashto or other languages of Pakistan.

Education

Sahiwal has many places where people can study and learn. Well-known schools and colleges include the University of Sahiwal, COMSATS University Sahiwal Campus, and Barani Institute of Sciences. There are also medical and engineering colleges like Sahiwal Medical College and Quaid-e-Azam College of Engineering and Technology, Sahiwal.

Many students go to private schools such as The Superior College, Army Public Schools & Colleges System, Beaconhouse School System, The City School, Divisional Public School and College, The Educators, and Government Postgraduate College Sahiwal.

Twin city

Sahiwal is linked with the town of Rochdale in Greater Manchester, England. This connection began in 1998. Many people in Rochdale have family roots in Pakistan, which makes this partnership special.

Notable people

Sahiwal has been home to many well-known people in different fields. Some of them are Mushtaq Ahmed, a former test cricketer, and Imran Ali, another cricketer. There are also writers and poets like Majeed Amjad and Kunwar Mohinder Singh Bedi Sahar. The city has produced television personalities such as Tariq Aziz and Dildar Pervaiz Bhatti. Other notable individuals include Rana Mohammad Hanif Khan, a politician, and Saieen Zahoor, a Sufi music folk singer.