The Punjab The Punjab The Punjab (pronounced or ; Punjabi: ਪੰਜਾਬ, The Punjab (pronounced or ; [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]: [[Gurmukhī script|ਪੰਜਾਬ]], The Punjab (pronounced or ; [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]: [[Gurmukhī script|ਪੰਜਾਬ]], [[Shahmukhi script|, ), also spelled Panjab ' onMouseout='HidePop("60885")' href="http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Kashmir">Kashmir
Kashmir is the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent...
regions by 1761.
The 1740s were years of chaos, and the city had nine different governors between 1745 and 1756. Invasions and chaos in local government allowed bands of warring Sikhs to gain control in some areas. In 1801, the 12 Sikh
MislMisl refers to a fighting clan. The period from 1716 to 1799 in Punjab was a highly turbulent time politically and militarily. This was caused by the overall decline of the Mughal Empire, particularly in Punjab, caused by Sikh military action against it. This left a power vacuum that was eventually...
s joined into one to form a sovereign Sikh state ruled by
Maharaja Ranjit SinghMaharaja Ranjit Singh was the first Maharaja of the Sikh Empire and was also known as Sher-e-Punjab .-Early life:...
.
Sikh rule
During the 1740s, frequent invasions by
AfghanAfghan may refer to:* Someone or something related to Afghanistan, see Demography of Afghanistan* Pashtun people, the largest ethnic group in Afghanistan and second largest ethnic group in Pakistan; see also Afghan...
s led by Ahmad Shah Abdali and chaos in local government had made the life very uncomfortable for the citizens of Lahore. Bhangi Misl was the fist Sikh band to plunder the
MughalThe Mughal Empire was an Islamic and Persianate imperial power of the Indian subcontinent which began in 1526, invaded and ruled most of Hindustan by the late 17th and early 18th centuries, and ended in the mid-19th century...
Lahore. Later
Ranjit SinghMaharaja Ranjit Singh was the first Maharaja of the Sikh Empire and was also known as Sher-e-Punjab .-Early life:...
was able to make gains in this chaos. He defeated the son of Abdali,
Zaman ShahZaman Shah Durrani was ruler of the Durrani Empire from 1793 until 1800. He was the grandson of Ahmad Shah Durrani and the fifth son of Timur Shah Durrani. Zaman Shah became the third King of Afghanistan.-Early years:...
in a battle between Lahore and
AmritsarAmritsar is a city in the northwestern part of India and is the administrative headquarters of Amritsar district in the state of Punjab, India. The 2001 Indian census reported the population of the city to be over 1,500,000, with that of the entire district numbering just over 3,695,077...
. Out of the chaos of Afghani and Sikh conflicts emerged a victorious Sikh by the name of Ranjit Singh who was able to unify the Sikh factions and capture Lahore where he was crowned Emperor. According to some accounts, Ranjit Singh was not sympathetic to the Muslim inhabitants of the city, he is said to have turned the
Badshahi MosqueThe Badshahi Mosque , or the 'Emperor's Mosque', in Lahore is the second largest mosque in Pakistan and South Asia and the fifth largest mosque in the world...
, one of the most
magnificentMughal architecture, an amalgam of Islamic, Persian and Indian architecture, is the distinctive style developed by the Mughals in the 16th and 17th centuries in what is now India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.- Mughal architecture:...
and
largest Mosques in the world, into a
stableA stable is a building in which livestock, especially horses, are kept. It most commonly means a building that is divided into separate stalls for individual animals...
for his horses, other sources claim it was used as a gun powder magazine for military stores.
British rule
Ranjit Singh made Lahore his capital and was able to expand the kingdom to Kyber pass and also included Jammu and Kashmir while keeping the British from expanding across the River
SutlejThe Sutlej River is the longest of the five rivers that flow through the historic crossroad region of Punjab in northern India and Pakistan...
for more than 40 years. After his death in 1839 the internecine fighting between the Sikhs and several rapid forfeitures of territory by his sons, along with the intrigues of the Dogras and two Anglo-Sikh wars, eventually led to British control of the Lahore Darbar ten years later. For the British, Punjab was a frontier province, because Lahore had boundaries with
AfghanistanThe Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is a landlocked country in south central Asia. It is variously described as being located within Central Asia, South Asia, or the Middle East...
and Persia. Therefore, the Punjabis, unlike the Bengalis and the Sindhis, were not allowed to use their mother tongue as an official language. The British first introduced Urdu as an official language in Punjab , including Lahore, allegedly due to a fear of Punjabi nationalism. Under British rule (1849–1947), colonial architecture in Lahore combined
MughalMughal architecture, an amalgam of Islamic, Persian and Indian architecture, is the distinctive style developed by the Mughals in the 16th and 17th centuries in what is now India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.- Mughal architecture:...
,
GothicThe Gothic Revival is an architectural movement which began in the 1740s in England. Its popularity grew rapidly in the early nineteenth century, when increasingly serious and learned admirers of neo-Gothic styles sought to revive medieval forms in contrast to the classical styles prevalent at the...
and
VictorianThe term Victorian architecture can refer to one of a number of architectural styles predominantly employed during the Victorian era. As with the latter, the period of building that it covers may slightly overlap the actual reign, 20 June 1837 – 22 January 1901, of Queen Victoria after whom it is...
styles.
Under Bristish rule, Sir Ganga Ram (Father of Modern Lahore), designed and built General Post Office, Lahore Museum, Aitchison College, Mayo School of Arts (now the NCA), Ganga Ram Hospital, Lady Mclagan Girls High School, the chemistry department of the Government College University, the Albert Victor wing of Mayo Hospital, Sir Ganga Ram High School (now Lahore College for Women) the Hailey College of Commerce, Ravi Road House for the Disabled, the Ganga Ram Trust Building on The Mall and Lady Maynard Industrial School. He also constructed Model Town, once the best localities of Lahore.
The GPO and YMCA buildings in Lahore commemorated the golden jubilee of Queen Victoria, an event marked by the construction of clock towers and monuments all over British India. Other important British buildings included the High Court, the
Government College UniversityGovernment College University, Lahore is a co-educational public university located on The Mall in Lahore, Pakistan. Although the college was granted the status of university by the Pakistan Government in 2002, the word college is still retained in the name for historical reasons and also because...
,
the museumsLahore Museum was established in 1894 in Lahore, Pakistan, and is one of the major museums of South Asia. Lahore Museum is also known as Central Museum, and is located on The Mall. Rudyard Kipling's father John Lockwood Kipling, was one of the famous curators of the museum and the novel Kim was set...
, the
National College of ArtsThe National College of Arts Lahore , usually referred to by its acronym NCA, is a famous old college in Lahore, Pakistan.Like all old institutions, the National College of Arts, has a historical tradition. Much of its present tone was set long ago when it was known as the Mayo School of Arts...
, Montgomery Hall, Tollinton Market, the
University of the PunjabThe University of the Punjab , colloquially known as Punjab University, is located in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. The University of the Punjab was formally established with the convening of the first meeting of its Senate on October 14, 1882 at Simla...
(Old Campus) and the Provincial Assembly. Even today, Mall Road retains a variety of Gothic and Victorian style buildings built during the British Raj. At one end of
The MallThe Mall in Lahore, Pakistan , is one of the city's main roads, and, along with the Grand Trunk Road, one of its most famous as well...
stands the university, one of the most prestigious universities of Pakistan. The British also launched the city's first horse-racing club in 1924, starting a tradition that continues today at the
Lahore Race Club Lahore Race Club, in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, is a club concerned with the sport of horse racing, established in 1924 when Lahore was part of the Punjab Province of British India....
.
The independence movement
Lahore played a special role in the independence movements of both India and Pakistan. The 1929
CongressThe Indian National Congress is a major political party in India. Founded in 1885 by Allan Octavian Hume, Dadabhai Naoroji, Dinshaw Wacha, Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee, Surendranath Banerjee, Monomohun Ghose, and William Wedderburn, the Indian National Congress became the leader of the Indian...
session was held at Lahore. In this Congress, the Declaration of the Independence of India was moved by Pandit Nehru and passed unanimously at midnight on 31 December 1929. On this occasion, the contemporary
tricolour of IndiaThe National Flag of India was adopted in its present form during an ad hoc meeting of the Constituent Assembly held on the 22 July 1947, twenty-four days before India's independence from the British on 15 August 1947. It has served as the national flag of the Dominion of India between 15 August...
(with a
chakraChakra is a Sanskrit word that translates as "wheel" or "turning"....
at its centre) was hoisted as a national flag, and thousands of people saluted it. This was the first time the Indian flag was ever unfurled.
Lahore prison was used by the British to detain revolutionary freedom fighters. Noted freedom fighter Jatin Das died in Lahore prison after fasting for 63 days in protest of British treatment of political prisoners. One of the greatest martyrs in the history of Indian independence, Shaheed Sardar Bhagat Singh, was hanged here.
The most important session of the All India Muslim League (later the
Pakistan Muslim LeagueThe Pakistan Muslim League was founded in 1962, as a successor to the previously disbanded Muslim League in Pakistan. Unlike the original PML which ended in 1958 when General Ayub Khan banned all political parties, each subsequent Muslim League was in some way propped by the military dictators of...
), demanding the creation of
PakistanPakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located at the crossroads of South Asia, the Middle East, and Central Asia...
, was held in Lahore in 1940. Muslims under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam (
Muhammad Ali JinnahMuhammad Ali Jinnah Urdu: , a 20th century politician and statesman, is generally regarded as the founder of Pakistan. He served as leader of The Muslim League and Pakistan's first Governor-General. He is officially known in Pakistan as Quaid-i-Azam and Baba-e-Qaum...
) demanded a separate homeland for Muslims of India in a document known as the
Pakistan Resolution or the
Lahore ResolutionThe Lahore Resolution , commonly known as the Pakistan Resolution , was a formal political statement adopted by the Muslim League at the occasion of its three-day general session on 22–24 March 1940 that called for greater Muslim autonomy in British India...
. It was during this session that Jinnah, the leader of the league, publicly proposed the
Two-Nation TheoryThe Two-Nation Theory also known as The Ideology of Pakistan was the basis for the Partition of India in 1947. It stated that Muslims and Hindus were two separate nations by every definition, and therefore Muslims should have an autonomous homeland in the Muslim majority areas of British India for...
for the first time.
Post-independence
On independence of Pakistan, Lahore was made capital of
PunjabThe Punjab province of Pakistan. It is the country's most populous region with about 45% of Pakistan's total population. The Punjab is home to the Punjabis and various other groups...
province in the new state of Pakistan. Almost immediately, large scale riots broke out among Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus, causing many deaths as well as damage to historic monuments—including the
Lahore FortThe Lahore Fort, locally referred to as Shahi Qila is citadel of the city of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. It is located in the northwestern corner of the Walled City of Lahore. The trapezoidal composition is spread over 20 hectares...
,
Badshahi mosqueThe Badshahi Mosque , or the 'Emperor's Mosque', in Lahore is the second largest mosque in Pakistan and South Asia and the fifth largest mosque in the world...
and other colonial buildings. With United Nations assistance, the
governmentThe Government of Pakistan is a federal parliamentary system, with an indirectly-elected President as the Head of State and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, and an indirectly-elected Prime Minister as the Head of Government. The President’s appointment and term are constitutionally...
was able to re-build Lahore, and most scars of the communal violence of independence were erased. Less than 20 years later, however, Lahore once again became the battleground for the War of 1965. The battlefield and trenches can still be observed today close to the Wahga border area.
After independence, Lahore lost much of its glory to
Karachiis the largest city, main seaport and the financial capital of Pakistan, and the capital of the province of Sindh. It is the 3rd largest city in the world by population and 20th largest city of the world, in terms of metropolitan population. It is Pakistan's premier centre of banking, industry, and...
which quickly became the biggest and most industrialised city. It was not until the rule of the
MianMian is family name and a title of nobility and used by Muslims in the Punjab region of South Asia.-Arain:Arain Mians are the leaders of the Arain tribe. Other titles used by Arain tribe include Chaudhry, Sardar, Malik, and Mehr...
brothers, and the MQM riots in of 1990s that Lahore once again gained its significance as an economic and cultural powerhouse through government reforms. The second
Islamic Summit ConferenceThe Organisation of the Islamic Conference is an international organisation with a permanent delegation to the United Nations. It groups 57 member states, from the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia, Caucasus, Balkans, Southeast Asia and South Asia...
was held in the city. In 1996 the
International Cricket CouncilThe International Cricket Council is the international governing body of cricket. It was founded as the Imperial Cricket Conference in 1909 by representatives from England, Australia and South Africa, renamed the International Cricket Conference in 1965, and took up its current name in 1989.The...
Cricket World CupThe 1996 Cricket World Cup was the sixth edition of the tournament and was won by Sri Lanka who beat Australia by 7 wickets at the final in Lahore.-Hosts:The 1996 World Cup was played in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka...
final match was held at the
Gaddafi StadiumGaddafi Stadium is a Test cricket ground in Lahore, Pakistan. It was designed by Pakistani architect Murat Khan and completed in 1959. Some additions were added many years later by Nayyar Ali Dada....
in Lahore.
The
Walled City of LahoreThe Walled City of Lahore, also known as the "Old City," or "Anderoon Shehr ," is the section of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, that was fortified by a city wall during the Mughal era.- Origins of Walled City of Lahore :...
known locally as the "
Andheron Shehr" is the oldest and most historic part of Lahore. The Punjab government embarked on a major project in 2009 on restoring the Royal Trail (Shahi Guzar Gah) from Akbari Gate to the Lahore Fort with the help of the
World BankThe World Bank is an international financial institution that provides leveraged loans to poorer countries for capital programs, tied to neoliberal market restructurings...
under the Sustainable Development of the Walled City of Lahore (SDWCL) project. The project aims at the Walled City development, at exploring and highlighting economic potential of the Walled City as a cultural heritage, exploring and highlighting the benefits of the SWDCL project for the residents, and at soliciting suggestions regarding maintenance of development and conservation of the Walled City.
Geography and climate
Lying between 31°15′ and 31°45′ North latitude and 74°01′ and 74°39′ East longitude, Lahore is bounded on the north and west by the
Sheikhupura DistrictSheikhupura District is a district of Punjab province, Pakistan. Sheikhupura is the headquarters of Sheikhupura District. According to the 1998 census of Pakistan, the district had a population of 3,321,029 of which 25.45% were urban.-Administration:...
, on the east by
WagahWagah is the only road border crossing between India and Pakistan, and lies on the Grand Trunk Road between the cities of Amritsar, India and Lahore, Pakistan. Wagah itself is a village through which the controversial Radcliffe Line was drawn. The village was divided by independence in 1947...
, and on the south by
Kasur DistrictKasur District or Qasur District is one of the districts in the province of Punjab, Pakistan It came into existence on 1 July 1976. Earlier it was part of Lahore District....
. The
Ravi RiverThe Ravi is a river flowing through India and Pakistan. It is one of the five rivers which gives the Punjab region its name. The Ravi was known as Paruṣṇī or Irāvatī to Indians in Vedic period and as to the Ancient Greeks.-Course:...
flows on the northern side of Lahore. Lahore city covers a total land area of 404 km² and is still growing.
The weather of Lahore is extreme during the months of May, June, and July, when the temperatures soar to 40°- 48 °C. In August, the monsoon seasons starts, with heavy rainfall throughout the province. December, January, and February are the coldest months, when temperatures can drop to -1 °C. The city’s highest maximum temperature was 48.3°C, recorded on June 6, 1921, and again on June 9, 2007. At the time the meteorological office recorded this official temperature in the shade, it reported a heat index in direct sunlight of 55 °C. The lowest temperature recorded in Lahore is -6°C.
Civic Administration
Under the latest revision of Pakistan's administrative structure, promulgated in 2001, Lahore was tagged as a City District, and divided into nine towns. Each town in turn consists of a group of union councils (U.C.'s).
Localities
- Abdalians Cooperative Housing Society
- Awan Town
Awan Town is a housing society of Lahore. Awan Town is an approved housing society by LDA. It is located on Multan Road, near Thokar Niaz Baig and next to Hassan Town. It is divided into several blocks, mainly Rizwan Block and Madina Block. Other blocks are Kausar Block, Qutab Block, Ali Block,...
- Badami Bagh
Badami Bagh is a cantonment town in Srinagar district in the state of Jammu & Kashmir, India.-Geography:Badami Bagh is located at . It has an average elevation of 1727 metres .-Demographics:...
- Bahria Town
Bahria Town is one of the largest real-estate developers in Asia. Bahria Town has projects in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad and is planning to develop projects in Murree and Karachi.-Bahria Town Projects:Bahria Town Lahore*Sector A*Sector B...
- Defence Housing Authority
The Defence Housing Authority , Lahore is a housing society located in northern Lahore, Pakistan. It was originally built for army officers, but is now a popular destination for potential residents and businessmen. DHA is considered to be the first choice residential area for the affluent of...
- Faisal Town
Faisal Town is one of the major residential areas of Lahore, close to Model Town. It lies at Latitude 31° 28' 40N Longitude 74° 18' 30E and has an altitude of 201 meters. In the last few years this area has undergone major changes and developments, with the value of property increasing quite...
- Hassan Town
Hassan Town is a locality on Multan Road in Lahore, Pakistan. The locality is divided into blocks, the main one being Waseem Block, where the local government is located....
- Garden Town
Garden Town is a suburban locality located in Lahore.-History:Garden Town was acquired in 1960 by the Lahore Development Authority, which at that time was called the Lahore Improvement Trust. Prior to that the majority of the land was being used for agriculture. Due to its close proximity to Canal...
- Green Town
Green Town is a residential area of Lahore, Pakistan. It was planned and constructed by LDA Green Town is a residential area of Lahore, Pakistan. It was planned and constructed by LDA Green Town is a residential area of Lahore, Pakistan. It was planned and constructed by LDA (Lahore Development...
- Gulberg
- GCP Colony
- Ichhra
Ichhra is a commercial and residential area in Lahore, Pakistan.-History:The neighbourhood was named after the death of an old woman who's nickname was Mai Ichhra of now Muslim Kamboja tribe who migrated from Mesopotamia/Mittani having worshipped in ancient times their mother goddess Ishara, Bull ,...
- Iqbal Town
Iqbal Town may refer to:* Iqbal Town, Faisalabad, Pakistan* Iqbal Town, Lahore, Pakistan...
- Johar Town
Johar Town in Pakistan is a residential area located in the south of Lahore on the map, neighbouring the motorway M-2. It is the largest residential society of Lahore developed by Lahore Development Authority- LDA...
- Model Town
Model Town Lahore is a suburb of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. It is located next to Faisal Town, Gulberg, Garden Town and Township suburbs of Lahore.- History :...
- Muhafiz Town
- Mustafa Town
Mustafa Town is a residential locality in Lahore, Pakistan. It is located on Wahdat Road near Chungi. It is developed by Lahore Development Authority.-External links:* - power supply problems...
- Nespak Society
- New Muslim Town
- NFC Employees Cooperative Housing Society
NFC Employees Cooperative Housing Society is a private housing scheme, initiated by the employees of National Fertilizer Corporation of Pakistan Ltd. It is a society registered under Societies Registration Act of Pakistan...
- Pasco Society
- Punjab Cooperative Housing Society
- Saroba Gardens
- Shad Bagh
-External links:*...
- Sukh Chayn Gardens
Sukh Chayn Gardens Housing Estate is a Gated Community in the suburbs of Lahore, Pakistan. It is a joint venture between the governments of Pakistan and China.-History:...
- Township
- Valencia Town
Valancia is a planned urban Gated Community located in south western part of Lahore, Pakistan, adjacent to Wapda Town and Johar Town. It is named after the city Valencia, Spain. Valancia is located on Defence Road, connecting, Multan Road, Raiwind Road, Ferozepur Road and M2 Motorway. It was...
- WAPDA Town
WAPDA Town is one of the residential areas of Lahore in Pakistan. Its developed for employees of WAPDA , but anyone can buy land or a house without much restriction from resale by a WAPDA employee....
Neighbourhoods
- Baghbanpura
Baghbanpura is a town and Union Council of Shalimar tehsil, Lahore District, Punjab, Pakistan. It is located along the Grand Trunk Road some 5 kilometres northeast of the main Lahore city....
- Batapur
Batapur is a village near the city of Sheikhupura, Pakistan. It was established as a residence for the workers of Bata shoe factory. The nearest international airport is the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore. The village saw some fighting during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965....
- Begum kot
- Canal View Housing Society
- Central Park
- Chah Miran
- Chok yateem khana
- Defence Housing Authority (Lahore)
- Gawalmandi
Gawalmandi is an iconic town located in the central part of Lahore. It is regarded as the cultural centre of Lahore. The famous Food Street of Lahore is located here.-Facilities :...
- Harbanspura
- Jallo Mor
- Krishan Nagar
Krishan Nagar is part of the Islampura neighbourhood of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. It is located at 31°33'44N 74°17'23E with an altitude of 201 metres . It was named so because of the Hindu temple dedicated to Krishna, one of the key Hindu deities. The area was a bustling community with a large...
- Laxshmi Chowk
- Mozang Chungi
Mozang Chungi is an area in Lahore, Pakistan. Nearby areas are Jail Road, Choubarji and famous Anarkali Bazar. It is located at 31°32'55N 74°18'54E....
- Mughalpura
- Qila Gujar Singh
Qila Gujar Singh is a town located in the central part of Lahore. As shown by name it was fort of Gujar Singh. Some walls and a gate still remains as a memory of the Gujar Singh's fort. All the area of fort has became local property. There is a busy market in streets of Qila Gujar Singh area. It is...
- Raiwind
Raiwind is a town in the Punjab province of Pakistan. It is part of the Nishter Town subdivision of Lahore District and is located at 31°15'16N 74°13'4E with an altitude of 203 metres and lies about 25 km from Lahore, the capital of the Punjab...
- Sanda
-Theology:*A Luwian deity*"Sanda" - a Romanian female given name **Sanda Ladoşi, Romanian singer-Places:*Sanda, Hyogo, a city in Japan*Sanda University, in Shanghai, China *Sanda in Lahore, Pakistan*Various islands in Scotland:...
- Shahdara Bagh
Shahdara Bagh, Lahore is a northern suburb of Lahore. It is situated on the northern side of the Ravi River.It is famous for two historic Mughal architectural sites, Mughal gardens, and tombs of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, his wife Empress Nur Jehan and his brother-in-law Abdul Hasan Asaf...
- Shadman
- Tajpurra Scheme LDA
Economy
As of 2005, the city's
gross domestic productThe gross domestic product or gross domestic income is a basic measure of a country's economic performance and is the market value of all final goods and services made within the borders of a country in a year...
(GDP) by
purchasing power parityThe purchasing power parity theory uses the long-term equilibrium exchange rate of two currencies to equalize their purchasing power...
(PPP) was estimated at $28 billion with a projected average growth rate of 5.9 percent. This is at par with Pakistan's other economic hub Karachi, with Lahore (having half the population) fostering an economy that is 51% of the size of Karachi's ($55 billion in 2005). The contribution of Lahore to the national economy is supposed to be around 13%. Lahore's GDP is projected to be $67 billion by the year 2020. With a slightly higher growth rate of 5.9% per annum, as compared to Karachi's 5.8% Central to Lahore's economy is the
Lahore Stock ExchangeLahore Stock Exchange Limited is Pakistan's second largest stock exchange after the Karachi Stock Exchange. It is located in Lahore, Pakistan.- History :...
(LSE), Pakistan's second largest stock exchange. Lahore has offices of several Pakistani government corporations including the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) and
Water and Sewage AuthorityWasa may refer to any of the following:*Wasa Lake, a place in British Columbia, Canada*Wasa, Pharaoh, an Ancient Egyptian ruler of the Sixteenth dynasty of Egypt*Wasabröd, a brandname used by the Swedish company AB Wasabröd...
(WASA). Food and restaurant businesses remain open all night. The shopping markets are usually open late into the night. Lahore is the second largest financial hub of Pakistan and has industrial areas including Kot Lakhpat and the new Sundar Industrial Estate (near Raiwand). Lahore’s economic base is
broad and varied. A major industrial agglomeration with about 9,000 industrial units, it has shifted
in recent decades from manufacturing to service industries. Some 42% of its work force is
employed in finance, banking, real estate, community, cultural, and social services. The city is the country’s largest software producing center, and hosts a growing computer-assembly industry.
Lahore's economic strength relies on the fact that it is the biggest city of Pakistan's most populous province. It is also the most advanced in terms of infrastructure, having extensive and relatively well developed road links to all major cities in Punjab and NWFP, a rail link with
IndiaIndia, officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the south, the Arabian Sea on the west, and the Bay of Bengal...
and the province's biggest International airport. It also has the most developed communcations infrastructure in the province, which includes a wide network of fiber optic telephone and cable lines, GSM mobile network, IPP and
WiMaxWiMAX, meaning Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, is a telecommunications technology that provides wireless transmission of data using a variety of transmission modes, from point-to-multipoint links to portable and fully mobile internet access. The technology provides up to 10 Mbit/s...
. It has the most developed education and health sectors as well, making it the economic, political and educational hub of the province. As Lahore expands, former residential areas are being turned into commercial centres, and the suburban population is constantly moving outwards. This has resulted in the development of the Liberty Market,
MM Alam Road, the new
Jail Road (which has some of the largest office buildings in Lahore), and the
Main Boulevard.
The suburban population's move from commercial areas to less busy areas supports a thriving construction industry and several large housing projects including
Bahria TownBahria Town is one of the largest real-estate developers in Asia. Bahria Town has projects in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad and is planning to develop projects in Murree and Karachi.-Bahria Town Projects:Bahria Town Lahore*Sector A*Sector B...
, Lake City,
Sukh Chayn GardensSukh Chayn Gardens Housing Estate is a Gated Community in the suburbs of Lahore, Pakistan. It is a joint venture between the governments of Pakistan and China.-History:...
, Eden Villas, and a project by the Dhabi Group, a joint Pakistan-UAE partnership, to construct a new city on the outskirts of Lahore.
Lahore is famous as the hub of hand-made
carpetA carpet is a textile floor covering consisting of an upper layer of "pile" attached to a backing. The pile is generally either made from wool or a manmade fibre such as polypropylene, and usually consists of twisted tufts which are often heat-treated to maintain their structure.- Etymology :The...
manufacturing in Pakistan. At present, hand-knitted carpets produced in and around Lahore are among Pakistan's leading export products, and their manufacturing is the second-largest cottage and small industry. Lahore-based carpet exports make up nearly 85 percent of all carpet exports from Pakistan.
Craftsmen in Lahore produce almost every type of handmade carpet using popular motifs such as medallions, paisleys, traceries, and geometric designs. The Lahore Design Centre at the Punjab Small Industries Corporation maintains a separate section of carpet designing to experiment with new designs. Lahore is famous for single-
weftIn weaving, weft or woof is the yarn which is drawn under and over parallel warp yarns to create a fabric. In North America, it is sometimes referred to as the "fill" or the "filling yarn", and in India, it is referred to as "baana", which is derived from another hindi word "bun na" or "bunai"...
ed designs in Turkoman and Caucasian style and double-wefted Mughal types.
Lahore's economic importance depends on many government institutes and international companies headquartered in the city, including
WorldCALL Telecom GroupWorldCALL is a telecommunication operator in Pakistan which provides services such as Cable TV, Broadband Internet, 3G EVDO Internet, pay-phone services, dial-up Internet cards and wireless telephone...
,
Pakistan RailwaysThis article is about the rail company in Pakistan. For technical details and operations see: Transport in Pakistan.Pakistan Railways is a national state-owned rail transport service of Pakistan, headquartered in Lahore. It is administered by the federal government under the Ministry of Railways....
,
Pakistan Cricket BoardThe Pakistan Cricket Board is responsible for all major cricket including Test cricket played in Pakistan. It controls and organizes all tours and matches undertaken by the Pakistan national cricket team....
,
Punjab UniversityThe University of the Punjab , colloquially known as Punjab University, is located in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. The University of the Punjab was formally established with the convening of the first meeting of its Senate on October 14, 1882 at Simla...
,
NCANCA is a three-letter acronym, which may refer to the:* Constitutional Assembly of Zimbabwe.* National Campaign for the Arts, a lobbying group for the arts in the United Kingdom....
,
Bata shoes-Places:* Bat, Afghanistan, a place in Afghanistan* Bata, Arad, a rural commune in Romania* Bata, Burgas Province, a place in Burgas Province, Bulgaria* Baťa Canal, a canal in the Czech Republic* Bata, Equatorial Guinea, a city...
,
HaierHaier is primarily a producer of household appliances , including air conditioners, washing machines and refrigerators. Its headquarters are in Qingdao, Shandong, People's Republic of China. As of 2008, Haier is the fourth-largest white goods manufacturer in the world...
,
Wateen TelecomWateen Telecom is a Pakistani telecommunication company based in Lahore, Pakistan and is a sister concern of Warid Telecom.Wateen Telecom is the Abu Dhabi Group's latest communication investment in Pakistan...
,
Warid TelecomWarid Telecom International is an Abu Dhabi based mobile telecommunication firm providing telephony services in Bangladesh, Congo, Pakistan and Uganda...
,
Hondais a Japanese multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles. Honda is the world's largest manufacturer of motorcycles as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume. Honda surpassed Nissan in 2001 to become...
,
ReebokReebok International Limited, a subsidiary of German sportswear giant Adidas, is a producer of athletic footwear, apparel, and accessories. The name comes from the Afrikaans spelling of rhebok, a type of African antelope or gazelle...
,
DaewooDaewoo was a major South Korean chaebol . It was founded on 22 March 1967 as Daewoo Industrial and was dismantled by the Korean government in 1999. Prior to the Asian Financial Crisis of 1998, Daweoo was the second largest conglomerate in Korea after Hyundai, followed by LG and Samsung...
,
NestleNestlé S.A. is a multinational packaged food company founded and headquartered in Vevey, Switzerland, and listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange with a turnover of over 87 billion Swiss francs...
,
AudiAUDI AG, is a German company which produces luxury cars under the Audi brand, . It is part of the Volkswagen Group. The name Audi is based on a Latin translation of the surname of the founder August Horch, itself the German word for “listen!"Audi is headquartered in Ingolstadt, Bavaria, Germany.It...
, Coca Cola,
Tetra PakTetra Pak is a multinational food processing and packaging company of Swedish origin. It was founded in 1951 in Lund, Sweden, by Ruben Rausing. It was Erik Wallenberg who invented the tetrahedral package, today known as Tetra Classic...
, Monsanto Company,
DelavalDelaval is the surname of a family of gentry/aristocracy in Northumberland, England, from the 11th century to the 19th century. Their main estate was the manor of Seaton Delaval...
, Metro Cash & Carry, Mr Cod,
PorschePorsche SE is a German automotive manufacturer of luxury high performance automobiles, which is majority-owned by the Piëch and Porsche families. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG , often shortened to Porsche AG, is responsible and manufacturer of the Porsche automobile line...
and
Rolls RoyceRolls-Royce Motor Cars is a British manufacturer of luxury automobiles based in Goodwood, England. It is the current producer of Rolls-Royce branded automobiles, whose historical production dates back to 1904. The factory is located across from the historic Goodwood Circuit in Goodwood, West...
.. The fact these companies have settled major operations and in 2005 accounted for almost half of the Foreign Direct Investment coming into Pakistan reflects Lahore's relatively calm social environment, infrastructure and sophisticated consumer market. Lahore has now become the head of retail as Metro, Makro and Hyperstar (Carrefour) have all situated their headquarters in Lahore. This has given the city an immense edge in terms of retail development as well as expertise.
Projects
Expo centre Lahore is underconstruction such as long delayed Lahore expo centre, the Mubarak complex, consisting of four towers and a small ellipse shaped building, housing uniquely designed apartments along with a five story covered shopping mall, which will be biggest and most exclusive shopping and entertainment complex in the region. The project is being carried out as a joint venture between the Abu Dhabi Group and the Government of Punjab. The two investors have formed a holding company for Zayed Centre called Taavun (Pvt.) Ltd. which will be responsible for managing the project. Turner Construction, one of the largest construction companies in the US, have been hired as contractors/builders. Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum have been retained as project consultants & architects. The residential apartments will be managed by Concord. The exact cost of the project is unknown as of yet but is estimated at $500 Million US.
Lake City is a resort and residential development planned on the outskirts of Lahore. Covering an area of more than 2104 acres, the resort with its lush green parks, sinuous lakes, an 18 hole regulation Golf course and other features.
Defence Raya Golf Resort is Pakistan's largest as well as Asia's largest golf course is under construction. Defence Raya Golf Resort is the result of a partnership between DHA Lahore and BRDB Malaysia.The rapid development of mega projects in city will boost up the economy of country.
Many other projects under construction in Lahore are:
- Pace tower - 24 floors (under construction)
- Mall99 - 21 floors (under construction)
- Lahore Expo Center (under construction)
- Expo Center tower (approved)
- Mubarak Center (under construction)
- IT tower - 23 floors (under construction)
- Alamgir tower - 31 floors (under construction)
- DHA Haly tower - Low rise (under construction)
- Lahore Ring Road
The Lahore Ring Road Project was launched on December 22, 2004 at a ground-breaking ceremony attended by President General Pervez Musharaf.The Lahore Ring Road Project is mega road sector projects being developed by the Punjab Government...
(under construction)
- Lahore Sports City (approved)
- Kot Lakhpat elevated expressway (approved)
- Lahore Rapid Mass Transit System (vision)
- Xinhua mall - 20 floors (under construction)
- Lahore-Sialkot motorway
A 6-lane motorway from Sialkot to Lahore, the two important industrial centers of Punjab, is under construction which will give impetus to economic activities in the province. NHA recognizes this motorway as M11, however it is also known as LSM, SLM, Lahore-Sialkot Motorway or Shahrah-e-Sanat...
(under construction)
- Boulevard Heights - 19 floors (under construction)
- Pearl Continental Tower
Pearl Continental Tower is a proposed extension project of the existing Pearl Continental Hotel in Lahore, Pakistan. The project was conceived by Pakistan Services Ltd., the owners & operators of Pearl Continental Hotels and Resorts....
- 40 floors & 152 m (proposed)
- LDA tower - 40 floors (approved)
- Bank Square gulberg (vision)
- Pace Circle and Hyatt Regency - 12 floors (under construction)
- Tricon Corporate tower - 18 floors (under construction)
The economy is also enhanced by Lahore's historic and cultural importance. Being the capital of the largest province in Pakistan brings the city on of the largest development budget in the country.
Transportation
Lahore is one of the most accessible cities of Pakistan and the only unique city of Pakistan where you can find Public and private Transport, 24 hrs a day and 7 days in a week.Public transport include public transport buses which are enough to cover the needs of the city.To fulfil the remaining needs of transport there are thousands of rickshaws and taxis which run on compressed natural gas to reduce pollution in the city and of course about 75 percent of the residents have their own conveyances.The roads in the city are well maintained and are broadened when needed to fullfil the increasing needs of meteropolitan.
Premier Bus Services, which is owned by the Beaconhouse Group, was started in 2003. It provides premium transportation services to the general public of Lahore, with hundreds of buses running on exclusive routes. This is the largest public transport service provider in Pakistan. The buses are in the process of being converted to CNG for both environmental and economic reasons.
In addition to the premier bus bus service, Daewoo CITY bus also provide safe journey to masses.Though these buses are less in number but they all are air conditioned and provide better comfort to passengers as compared to premier buses.
In addition to these two major companies there are several other small companies(New khan.metro,Niazi etc) providing their service but they cover only particular routes and are less in number.
In addition to the historic
Grand Trunk RoadThe Grand Trunk Road is one of South Asia's oldest and longest major roads. For several centuries, it has linked the eastern and western regions of the Indian subcontinent, running from Bengal, across north India, into Peshawar in Pakistan.- Route :Today, the Grand Trunk Road remains a continuum...
(G.T. road), motorways connecting all major cities like Islamabad,Multan,Faisalabad,Peshawar,Rawalpindi etc have been built. Another one to
SialkotSialkot is a city situated in the north-east of the Punjab province in Pakistan at the feet of the snow-covered peaks of Kashmir near the Chenab river. It is the capital of Sialkot District and, formerly, it has been the winter-capital of the State of Kashmir...
is in under construction. The government has built underpasses to ease congestion and prevent traffic jams, and according to official figures, Lahore has the highest number of underpasses in Pakistan. The government would undertake planned rehabilitation of the roads, which have outlived their designed life, construction of missing road links and development of provincewide secondary arteries linking national motorways and trade corridors to foster economic opportunities via meeting expanding domestic and international travel and trade demands.
The Punjab government had allocated Rs 170.300 million for W/I of Thokar- Raiwind Road, Rs 50 million for dualisation of Lahore-Jaranwala Road from Ferozepur Interchange to Mandi Faizabad, Rs 40 million for construction of extending building for IWMI Thokar Niaz Baig Lahore, Rs 2.7 million for construction of overhead bridge at Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jillani Road near University of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Rs 56 million for PC-II for feasibility study of elevated expressways in Lahore, Rs 10 million for construction of elevated expressway from Lahore Bridge to Niazi Chowk, Rs 50 million for strengthening of Sheikhupura-Gujranwala Road,and Rs 15 million for construction of missing by-pass between Sargodha to Lahore Road.
The
Pakistan RailwaysThis article is about the rail company in Pakistan. For technical details and operations see: Transport in Pakistan.Pakistan Railways is a national state-owned rail transport service of Pakistan, headquartered in Lahore. It is administered by the federal government under the Ministry of Railways....
headquarters is located in Lahore. Pakistan Railways provides an important mode of transportation for commuters and connects distant parts of the country with Lahore for business, sight-seeing, pilgrimage, and education. The
Lahore Central Railway StationThe Lahore Railway Station in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan was built by the British colonists. It is representative of typical grand British architecture in South Asia during the British Raj...
, built during the British colonial era, is located in the heart of the city.
To accommodate increased air travel, the government built a new city airport in 2003.It was named
Allama Iqbal International AirportAllama Iqbal International Airport is Pakistan's second largest civil airport after Jinnah International Airport. It is located in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan and is commonly known as Lahore International Airport. It is named after the poet-philosopher Allama Iqbal who was a major proponent for the...
after the national poet of Pakistan, Allama
Muhammad IqbalHazrat Allama Sir Dr. Muhammad Iqbal was a Persian and Urdu poet, philosopher and politician whose vision of an independent state for the Muslims of British India was to inspire the creation of Pakistan...
, and is served by international airlines as well as the national flag carrier,
Pakistan International AirlinesPakistan International Airlines Corporation, more commonly known as PIA , is the flag carrier airline of Pakistan, headquartered in Karachi. It is the 31st largest airline in Asia, operating scheduled services to 23 domestic destinations and 36 international destinations in 25 countries across...
. The previous airport now operates as the
HajjThe Hajj is a pilgrimage to Mecca . It is currently the largest annual pilgrimage in the world, and is the fifth pillar of Islam, an obligation that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so...
Terminal to facilitate the great influx of pilgrims traveling to
Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia , is an Arab country and the largest country of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Jordan on the northwest, Iraq on the north and northeast, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates on the east, Oman on the southeast, and Yemen on the south...
to perform the hajj every year. Lahore also has a
general aviationGeneral aviation is one of two categories of civil aviation. It refers to all flights other than military and scheduled airline flights, both private and commercial. General aviation flights range from gliders and powered parachutes to large, non-scheduled cargo jet flights...
airport known as
Walton AirportWalton Airport is situated near Model Town, 10 km from the city centre of Lahore, the capital of the Punjab province in Pakistan. It caters to general aviation and is used by several flying clubs...
.
Lahore Rapid Mass Transit (LRMT) System is a project envisioned to provide mass transit facilities to Pakistan's second largest city Lahore. The project is expected to complete in 2020. In the first phase, two light rail lines will be constructed. The first Green Line between Shahdra and Hamza Town (Ferozpur Road) will be completed by 2011 and cost 2.4 billion dollars. The second Orange Line between Pakistan Mint and Sabzazar will cost US $1.9 billion and will be completed by 2015. In the second phase, Blue and Purple lines will be constructed.
The Lahore Ring Road Project was launched on December 22, 2004 at a ground-breaking ceremony attended by President General Pervez Musharaf.
The Lahore Ring Road (LRR) Project is mega road sector projects being developed by the Punjab Government. The development of this project will ensure efficient & speedy movement of freight and passengers, removal of traffic conflicts and boosting up of industrial development potential. The construction of this project includes six lane divided carriage way, interchanges, RCC bridges, reinforced earth abutments/walls, overhead pedestrian bridges, culverts, sub-ways, underpasses, flyovers and allied works at a total project value of over Rs.20 billion and Rs.13 billion respectively
Demography
According to the 1998 census, Lahore's population was nearly 6.8 million. Mid-2006 government estimates put the population at somewhere around 10 million, which makes it the second largest city in Pakistan, after
Karachiis the largest city, main seaport and the financial capital of Pakistan, and the capital of the province of Sindh. It is the 3rd largest city in the world by population and 20th largest city of the world, in terms of metropolitan population. It is Pakistan's premier centre of banking, industry, and...
. It is considered to be one of the 30 largest cities of the world. Also according to the 1998 census, 86.2%, or 6,896,000 of the population are
PunjabisThe Punjabi people are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group from South Asia. They originate from the Punjab region, which has been host to some of the oldest civilizations in the world including one of the world's first and oldest civilizations, the Indus Valley Civilization...
and 10.2% or 816,000 are Urdu speaker. Finally, 3% Pashto and the Seraikis at 0.4% number about 32,000. Figures are unavailable for the many Afghan refugees and migrants from
IranIran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran is a country in Western Asia. The name Iran has been in use natively since the Sassanid period and came into international use from 1935, before which the country was known internationally as Persia...
who have permanently settled in Lahore but were not included in the census.
The main languages spoken in Lahore are Urdu and Punjabi. According to the 1998 census, 94% of Lahore's population is Muslim, up from 60% in 1941. Other religions include Christians 5.80% (higher in rural areas where they form around 9.0% of the rural population as well as Ahmadis at 0.20% and a small number of
Bahá'ísThe Bahá'í Faith is a monotheistic religion founded by Bahá'u'lláh in nineteenth-century Persia, emphasizing the spiritual unity of all humankind. There are an estimated five to six million Bahá'ís around the world in more than 200 countries and territories.The Bahá'í Faith teaches a doctrine of...
, Hindus, Parsis, and Sikhs. Due to Lahore diverse culture, there are many mosques, shrines, synagogues,
Hindu and Jain templesBefore partition of India in 1947, Lahore was a cosmopolitan city with Hindu, Sikh and Jain residents. There were many temples in Lahore.In 1941, 48% of the population of Lahore was Hindu, Sikh or Jain...
,
SikhSikh is the title and name given to an adherent of Sikhism. The term has its origin in the Sanskrit term , meaning "disciple, learner" or , meaning "instruction"....
Gurudwaras, and churches across the city. Some of the most famous mosques include, Badshahi Masjid,
Dai Anga MosqueDai Anga Mosque is a mosque situated near the railway station of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.This historic Mosque is in the Naulakha area, about quarter mile away from Lahore Railway Station. It is widely believed that Dai Anga built this mosque in 1635 AD , before she went to perform Hajj...
,
Data Durbar ComplexData Durbar is the tomb of Hazrat Syed Abul Hassan Bin Usman Bin Ali Al-Hajweri, the famous Persian Sufi saint, where hundreds of thousands of people come each year to pay their respects and to say their prayers. It is located in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan...
,
Shia MasjidThe Shia Masjid is one of the largest Shia mosques in the mainly Shi'ite populated area of Islampura in the city of Lahore, Pakistan.-See also:* List of mosques in Pakistan...
,
Suneri MosqueThe Suneri Mosque or Golden Mosque is located in the centre of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. The founder of the mosque was Nawab Syed Bhikari Khan, son of Raushan-ud-Daula Turrabaz Khan, deputy governor of Lahore during the reign of Muhammad Shah and the viceroyalty of Mir Noin-ul-Malik. The Golden...
,
Wazir Khan MosqueThe Wazir Khan Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan, is famous for its extensive faience tile work. It has been described as ' a mole on the cheek of Lahore'. It was built in seven years, starting around 1634-1635 A.D., during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan...
,
Moti MasjidMoti Masjid , one of the "Pearl Mosques", is a 17th century religious building located inside the Lahore Fort. It is a small, white marble structure built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, and is among his prominent extensions to the Lahore Fort Complex...
, Masjid-e-Shuhda (Martyr's Mosque) and
Mosque of Mariyam Zamani BegumMosque of Mariyam Zamani Begum also known as Begum Shahi Mosque is a mosque situated Walled City of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. It was built by Nuruddin Salim Jahangir, for his mother Mariam-uz-Zamani, and the wife of Mughal Emperor, Akbar...
. Some of the famous shrines include,
Tomb of Muhammad IqbalThe Tomb of Allama Muhammad Iqbal is a simple but impressive structure located in Lahore, Pakistan in the Hazuri Bagh lawn between the Badshahi Mosque and the Lahore Fort where both the grand structures face each other. Official guard is maintained by Pakistan Rangers...
,
Bibi Pak DamanBibi Paak Daaman is the name given to the shrine of Ruqayah bint Ali and the mausoleum is in Lahore, Pakistan. Legend has it that it holds the graves of six ladies from Muhammad's household . Ruqayah bint Ali ibn Abu Talib was the daughter of the fourth Caliph Ali ibn Abu-Taalib with his wife...
,
Samadhi of Ranjit SinghThe Samadhi of Ranjit Singh is the mausoleum of the Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh. It is located near the Lahore Fort and Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan...
,
Tomb of Shah JamalThe Tomb of Shah Jamal is the tomb of Sufi Saint Baba Shah Jamal. It is located in the city of Lahore - the capital of Punjab, Pakistan. There is a masjid built around the tomb which incorporates a graveyard....
, Tomb of Lal Hussain, Tomb of Anārkalī,
Tomb of JahangirTomb of Jahangir, is the mausoleum built for the Mughal Emperor Jahangir who ruled from 1605 to 1627. The mausoleum is located near the town of Shahdara Bagh in Lahore, Pakistan. His son Shah Jahan built the mausoleum 10 years after his father's death. It is sited in an attractive walled garden....
, Tomb of Empress Nur Jehan and Tomb of Abdul Hasan Asaf Khan. Some of the well-known churches include, Regal Church,
Hall Road ChurchThe Cathedral Church of Resurrection is a Church in the Heart of Lahore, Pakistan across the High Court. It is in the Neo-Gothic style of architecture and is a very impressive structure...
,
Convent of Jesus & MaryCONVENT OF JESUS & MARY HIGH SCHOOL is the first English medium school in the heart of Ranaghat. It is the only private non profit school run by nuns in the district of Nadia...
and
Sacred Heart CathedralSacred Heart Cathedral, Lahore was consecrated by Bishop Fabian Eestermans, Bishop of Lahore on 19 November 1907. The design of this Cathedral was made according to the Roman Byzantine style by a Belgian architect, Dr. Dubbeleere of Antwerp. The Cathedral is the principal church of the Roman...
.
Culture
Lahore's culture is unique. Known as the cultural capital or Heart of Pakistan, the city has been the seat of the Mughal Empire and the Sikh Empire as well as the capital of Punjab in Mahmud Ghaznavi's 11th century empire and in the British Empire.
Lahore played an important role in Pakistani history, as it was in this city where the independence declaration for Pakistan was made. Along with
Karachiis the largest city, main seaport and the financial capital of Pakistan, and the capital of the province of Sindh. It is the 3rd largest city in the world by population and 20th largest city of the world, in terms of metropolitan population. It is Pakistan's premier centre of banking, industry, and...
, the city was the only known major city of the British Empire that would come into the new Muslims state. It was the largest city in the newly formed Pakistan at the time of independence and provided the easiest access to India, with its porous border near the Indian city of
AmritsarAmritsar is a city in the northwestern part of India and is the administrative headquarters of Amritsar district in the state of Punjab, India. The 2001 Indian census reported the population of the city to be over 1,500,000, with that of the entire district numbering just over 3,695,077...
only to the east. Large numbers of Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims lived closely in Lahore before independence of
PakistanPakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located at the crossroads of South Asia, the Middle East, and Central Asia...
and the city suffered many revolts, demonstrations and bloodshed at the time of independence due to the enmity between Muslims and Hindus at the time and the uncertainty which loomed over the fate of Lahore even after India and Pakistan gained independece. Lahore's culture, its history, institutions, food, clothing, films, music, fashion, and liberal community lifestyle attract people from all over the country.
Lahore is an extremely festive city. This city is the most happening city of Pakistan. The people of Lahore celebrate many festivals and events throughout the year, blending Mughal, Western, and current trends.
Eid ul-FitrEid ul-Fitr , often abbreviated to Eid, is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. Eid is an Arabic word meaning "festivity", while Fiṭr means "to break fast"; and so the holiday symbolizes the breaking of the fasting period...
and
Eid ul-AdhaEid al-Adha "Festival of Sacrifice" or "Greater Eid" is a Muslim Holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide to commemorate the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismael as an act of obedience to God....
are celebrated. Many people decorate their houses and light candles to illuminate the streets and houses; roads and businesses are lit for days during these public holidays. In Lahore is located the mausoleum of Ali Hujwiri also known as also known as Data Ganj Bakhsh (Persian/Urdu: ) or Data Sahib and an annual Urs is held every year as a big festival.
BasantBasant is one of the six ritus corresponding to spring.It is also short for Basant Panchami , an Indian festival in It is celebrated every year on the fifth day of the Hindu month Magh , the first day of spring....
is a
PunjabiPunjabi Culture is the culture of the Punjab region. It is one of the oldest and richest cultures in world history, dating from ancient antiquity to the modern era. The Punjabi Culture is the culture of the Punjabi people who are now distributed throughout the world. The scope, history,...
festival marking the coming of spring. Basant celebrations in Pakistan are centered in Lahore, and people from all over the country as well as abroad come to the city for the annual festivities. Kite-flying competitions traditionally take place on city rooftops during Basant. Courts have banned the kite-flying because of casualties and power installation losses. The ban was lifted for two days in 2007, then immediately reimposed when 11 people were killed by celebratory gunfire, sharpened kite-strings, electrocution, and falls related to the competition.
The Festival of Lamps, or
Mela ChiraghanMela Chiraghan or Mela Shalamar is a three day annual festival to mark the urs of the Punjabi Sufi poet and saint Shah Hussain. It takes place at the shrine of Shah Hussain in Baghbanpura, on the outskirts of Lahore, Pakistan, adjacent to the Shalimar Gardens...
, is an important and popular event in Lahore. This is celebrated at the same time as Basant, every spring on the last Friday of March, outside the Shalimar Gardens.
The National Horse and Cattle Show is one of the most famous annual festivals, held in spring in the Fortress Stadium. The week-long activities include a livestock display, horse and camel dances,
tent peggingTent pegging is a cavalry sport of ancient origin, and is one of only ten equestrian disciplines officially recognised by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports. Used narrowly, the term refers to a specific mounted game with ground targets...
, colourful folk dances from all regions of Pakistan, mass-band displays, and tattoo shows in the evenings.
On August 14, the people of Pakistan celebrate the day Pakistan gained its independence from the
British RajThe British Raj was the British colonial rule in the Indian subcontinent between 1858 and 1947; it can also refer to the period of dominion, and even the region under the rule...
. There are lots of celebrations in Lahore, the streets are full of people singing and dancing. Parades of the
Pakistan ArmyThe Pakistan Army is a branch of the Pakistan military that protects the state borders and territories.The Pakistan Army, combined with the Navy and Air Force, makes Pakistan's armed forces the sixth largest military in the world. The Army is modelled on the United Kingdom armed forces and came...
and
Pakistan Air ForcePakistan Air Force is the air arm of the Pakistan Armed Forces and is primarily tasked with the aerial defence of Pakistan with a secondary role to provide air support to the Pakistan Army and the Pakistan Navy. The PAF also has a tertiary role to provide strategic air transport and logistics...
are held early in the morning. Concerts are held with many pop and classical singers.
The World Performing Arts Festival is held every autumn (usually in November) at the Alhambra cultural complex, a large venue consisting of several theatres and amphitheatres. This ten-day festival consists of musicals, theatre, concerts, dance, solo, mime, and puppetry shows. The festival has an international character with nearly 80 percent of the shows performed by international performers. On average 15–20 different shows are performed every day of the festival.
Lahoris are known for their love of food and eating. While Lahore has a great many traditional and modern restaurants, in recent years Western
fast foodFast food is the term given to food that can be prepared and served very quickly. While any meal with low preparation time can be considered to be fast food, typically the term refers to food sold in a restaurant or store with low quality preparation and served to the customer in a packaged form...
chains, such as
McDonald'sMcDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving nearly 47 million customers daily. At one time it was the largest global restaurant chain, but it has since been surpassed by multi-brand operator Yum! and sandwich chain Subway.In addition to its...
,
Pizza HutPizza Hut is an American restaurant chain and international franchise based in Addison, Texas , offering different styles of pizza along with side dishes including pasta, buffalo wings, breadsticks, and garlic bread...
,
Domino's PizzaDomino's Pizza, Inc. is an international fast food pizza delivery corporation headquartered just outside Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States. It was founded by Tom Monaghan. There are currently about 8,500 corporate and franchised stores in 55 countries, including all 50 US states...
, Subway Sandwiches, Dunkin Donuts,
Nando'sNando's is a restaurant chain originating from South Africa with a Portuguese theme. Founded in 1987, Nando's operates in 26 countries and on five continents. Nando's specializes in chicken dishes with either lemon and herb, medium, hot or extra hot peri-peri marinades...
and Kentucky Fried Chicken have appeared all over the city. Recently the
food streetFood Street in Gawalmandi, Lahore is a centre of traditional Pakistani food. The site is surrounded by centuries-old buildings and places like Landa Bazaar, Mayo Hospital and Baansan-wala Bazaar. The food street is open to traffic in the morning but as the sun sets, the street is closed to...
s in the historic locales of Lahore (
GawalmandiGawalmandi is an iconic town located in the central part of Lahore. It is regarded as the cultural centre of Lahore. The famous Food Street of Lahore is located here.-Facilities :...
,
AnarkaliAnarkali was a legendary slave girl from modern day Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. During the Mughal period, she was supposedly ordered to be buried alive by Mughal emperor Akbar for having an illicit relationship with Prince Nuruddin Salim later to become Emperor Jahangir...
, and Badshahi) have attracted tourists. Food streets have undergone restorations and are cordoned off in the evenings for pedestrian traffic only; numerous cafés serve local delicacies under the lights and balconies of restored havelis (traditional residential dwellings). Some of the trendiest restaurants in Lahore are concentrated on the M M Alam Road in Gulberg. Here, dozens of high-class culinary outlets, ranging from Western franchises to traditional, ethnic, or theme restaurants, attract all classes of Lahore's citizens. New restaurants are constantly opening, and the business is extremely competitive. Many boisterous restaurants of Lahore are open late into the night. One of Lahore's unique café restaurants is "Coocoo's Den", located in the old city just behind the
Badshahi MosqueThe Badshahi Mosque , or the 'Emperor's Mosque', in Lahore is the second largest mosque in Pakistan and South Asia and the fifth largest mosque in the world...
and
Lahore FortThe Lahore Fort, locally referred to as Shahi Qila is citadel of the city of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. It is located in the northwestern corner of the Walled City of Lahore. The trapezoidal composition is spread over 20 hectares...
at the edge of Lahore's red light district. The restaurant is housed in a 300-year-old Kothi-style dwelling of a famous artist and was once a brothel. At different times in the life of this property,
HinduA Hindu is an adherent of Hinduism, a set of religious, philosophical and cultural systems that originated in the Indian subcontinent. The vast body of Hindu scriptures, divided into Śruti and Smriti , lay the foundation of Hindu beliefs which primarily include dhárma, kárma, ahimsa and saṃsāra...
, Buddhist,
ChristianA Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic, religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, who Christians believe was the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible, and the Son of God.The term "Christian" is also used adjectivally to...
, and
Muslim:A Muslim , , is an adherent of the religion of Islam. The feminine form is Muslimah . Literally, the word means "one who submits ". Muslim is the participle of the same verb of which Islam is the infinitive. Muslims believe that there is only one God, translated in Arabic as Allah...
families have owned it. Another famous Lahore landmark is the
Pak Tea HousePak Tea House was a cafe in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan that has traditionally been frequented by the city's artistic, cultural and literary personalities. Some of the most well-known regulars were Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Ibn-e-Insha, Ahmed Faraz, Saadat Hasan Manto, Muneer Niazi, Mira Ji, Kamal Rizvi, Nasir...
in
AnarkaliAnarkali was a legendary slave girl from modern day Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. During the Mughal period, she was supposedly ordered to be buried alive by Mughal emperor Akbar for having an illicit relationship with Prince Nuruddin Salim later to become Emperor Jahangir...
, long a favoured haunt of intellectuals and artists.
For traditional shopping, the
AnarkaliAnarkali bazaar is a famous bazār in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. It is one of the oldest surviving markets in South Asia, dating back at least 200 years...
and
IchhraIchhra is a commercial and residential area in Lahore, Pakistan.-History:The neighbourhood was named after the death of an old woman who's nickname was Mai Ichhra of now Muslim Kamboja tribe who migrated from Mesopotamia/Mittani having worshipped in ancient times their mother goddess Ishara, Bull ,...
bazaars are the most popular of many in the city. The alleys and lanes of these bazaars are full of traditional wares like leather articles, embroidered garments, glass bangles, beaten gold and silver jewelry, and creations in silk.
AnarkaliAnarkali was a legendary slave girl from modern day Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. During the Mughal period, she was supposedly ordered to be buried alive by Mughal emperor Akbar for having an illicit relationship with Prince Nuruddin Salim later to become Emperor Jahangir...
is named after the famous courtesan of Akbar’s time, Anarkali (Pomegranate Blossom). The grave of Sultan Qutbuddin Aibak, who died falling off his horse while playing polo, is located in Anarkali on Aibak Road. Mahmud Ghaznavi's general,
Malik AyazMalik Ayaz, son of Aymáq Abu'n-Najm, was a Turkic slave who rose to the rank of officer and general in the army of Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni . His rise to power was a reward for the devotion and love he bore his master. The romance of the Sultan and his slave boy Ayaz is part of Islamic legend...
, lies buried in the commercial area of Rang Mahal.. Rang Mahal is part of old Lahore and today's houses a largest wholesale and retail cloth markets in Punjab. Lahore's technology markets include the Hall Road Pakistan's largest Electronics market adjacent to the Mall Road and the Hafeez Centre Asia's largest Computer Market located on the Gulberg Main Boulevard. Pace, a shopping centre, is also located on the Main Boulevard beside the Hafeez Centre. Other well-known and popular shopping areas are the Liberty Market in
GulbergGulberg can refer to:* Gulberg in Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan* Gulberg Town, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan* Gulberg, Lahore in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan...
and at the Fortress Stadium, as well as malls in Gulberg, Model Town, MM Alam Road, and Cantonment. Apart from these, shopping areas are being developed in many of Lahore's new suburbs such as Bahria, Lake City, and Cantonment.
Lahore offers a variety of activities for night-time enjoyment. There are popular shisha bars (these places offer flavoured tobacco pipes commonly found in middle eastern nations), attractive food outlets and musical concerts and shows. Alcohol is available to foreigners who request it at certain hotels, but generally not sold in public.
Lahoris are known for their exquisite taste in food, so the market has produced some of the most versatile, classy and inviting restaurants in the world. The blend of food and music at some uniquely expressive locales is truly exceptional. There are many shopping areas which remain open late into the night offering an atmosphere of lively hustle and bustle (not to mention a bargain at every corner).
There are scenic parks built with a goal to promote relaxation and enjoyment of nature which are frequently visited by joggers, couples, children, students and seniors. Bagh-e-Jinah (also known as Laurence Garden) is one such place; it has a large variety of gorgeous plants, trees, long and varied pathways and creative light effects.
Younger crowd is generally more attracted to shops and restaurants near Qaddafi stadium, Fortress stadium and Gulberg. Most of the food chains are also here.
Parks and gardens
Lahore is known as the
City of Gardens. There were many gardens in Lahore during the Mughal era, and although some have since been destroyed, many have still survived. The
Shalimar GardensShalimar Gardens may refer to:*Shalimar Gardens , India,*Shalimar Gardens , Pakistan, built 1641 AD.*Shalimar Bagh, Delhi, a locality in in Delhi, India, around the Shalimar Bagh , built 1653 AD....
were laid out during the reign of
Shah JahanShahab-ud-din Muhammad Shah Jahan I was the ruler of the Mughal Empire in the Indian subcontinent from 1628 until 1658...
and were designed to mimic the Islamic paradise of the afterlife described in the Quran. The gardens follow the familiar
charbaghCharbagh is a Persian-style garden layout. The quadrilateral garden is divided by walkways or flowing water into four smaller parts. In Persian, "Chār" means 'four' and "bāgh" means 'garden'...
model (four squares) with three descending terraces. The Lawrence Gardens were established in 1862 and were originally named after Sir John Lawrence, late 19th century British Viceroy to India. The gardens were organized in an area covering . The many other gardens and parks in the city include
Hazuri BaghHazuri Bagh is a garden in Lahore, Pakistan, bounded by the Lahore Fort , Badshahi Mosque , the Samadhi of Ranjit Singh and the Roshnai Gate...
,
Iqbal ParkIqbal Park is large area of green space, located at the heart of Lahore city in Pakistan. The park accommodates Minar-e-Pakistan , a 60 meters tall distinctive monument in the shape of a minaret that has been built in commemoration of the Lahore Resolution passed at the three-day general session ...
,
Mochi BaghThe Mochi Bagh is Pakistan's most famous political rally spot. It is located in Lahore, Pakistan. Mochi gate is entrance to the Mochi Bagh . All renowned leaders of Pakistan and pre-independent era have delivered speeches here....
, Gulshan Iqbal Park, Model Town Park, Race Course Park, Nasir Bagh Lahore, Jallo Park, Wild Life Park, and
Changa MangaThe Changa Manga forest is a planted forest in Pakistan. It is located in Chunian is about 70 km south of Lahore. It covers an area of 50 km² and is one of the largest of its kind...
, an artificial forest near Lahore in the
KasurKasur , the city of Bulleh Shah and the capital of Kasur District, is located 55 km southeast of Lahore. It is one of the oldest cities in Pakistan...
district. One examples includes the
Bagh-e-JinnahBagh-e-Jinnah is a historical park in the city of Lahore, Pakistan. It was formerly known as Lawrence Gardens...
which is a botanical garden situated on 141 acres (0.57 km2) and it houses entertainment and sports facilities as well as a library.
The
Lahore ZooThe Lahore Zoo in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, established in 1872, was once considered one of the largest zoos in Asia.-History:It started as a small aviary that was donated by Lal Mahundra Ram...
is the second oldest zoo in the South Asia after Calcutta and has been a source of amusement and recreation for families for more than a 100 years. In December 2004,
PakistanPakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located at the crossroads of South Asia, the Middle East, and Central Asia...
and
ChinaChina is a cultural region, an ancient civilization, and, depending on perspective, a national or multinational entity extending over a large area in East Asia....
signed a $110 million contract for the construction of a housing project on Multan Road in Lahore. The
Sukh Chayn GardensSukh Chayn Gardens Housing Estate is a Gated Community in the suburbs of Lahore, Pakistan. It is a joint venture between the governments of Pakistan and China.-History:...
was a result of this, which is one of the beautiful housing society of Lahore full of lush green parks and gardens.
Lahore also has a Safari park spreading over more than 100 acres.The park has safaris for different animals,The safaris having tigers, lions, rhinos, elephants, bear, apes, African and Indus plane animals would cover an area of 80 acres.A bird aviary covering 80,000 square. It has a net-fence at the top to keep birds in the aviary. It is Pakistan’s largest walkthrough aviary. The aviary has all kinds of birds like pheasants, waterfowls and peacocks. Birds are kept in their natural habitat instead of being caged.There are about more than thosand species of animals in the park.Lahore,s biggest lake also resides here for boating and fishing.
Education
Lahore is known as the education capital of Pakistan, with more colleges and universities than any other city in the country. A true Science & Technology hub of Pakistan. The present Government of Punjab has allocated huge amount in 2009–2010 Budget for the establishment of knowledge city near Lahore, Government has also plan to transform Lahore into a High-tech City of Pakistan as well as an important hub of High-tech in the world. Lahore is Pakistan’s largest producer of quality professionals in the field of Science & Technology as well as in High Tech such as IT, Engineering, Medical, Nuclear Sciences, Pharmaceutical, Telecommunication, Bio- Technology and Microelectronics etc. Most of the reputable universities are public, but in recent years there has also been an upsurge in the number of private universities. The current literacy rate of Lahore is 64%.
Lahore hosts the four oldest degree awarding institutes (Government College Lahore, estd. 1864 and
Forman Christian CollegeForman Christian College is a private, chartered university in Lahore, Pakistan. Named after its founder, Dr. Charles William Forman, it is ranked among the best institutions of higher education in Punjab , as measured by the examination scores of the regional education board .- History :Forman...
, estd. 1865 & universities (
University of the PunjabThe University of the Punjab , colloquially known as Punjab University, is located in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. The University of the Punjab was formally established with the convening of the first meeting of its Senate on October 14, 1882 at Simla...
, estd. 1882 and University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, estd. 1921.
Lahore University of Management SciencesThe Lahore University of Management Sciences, usually referred to by its acronym LUMS, is a university located in Lahore, Pakistan. It is considered one of Pakistan's premier private universities. Ranked as Pakistan's top university for Business Studies and Economics...
(LUMS) is the most renowned Business and Computer Science school in Pakistan. National University Of Computer and Emerging Sciences previously known as [Foundation of Advancement of Science and Technology] FAST-ICS has been in Lahore for a long time and producing quality graduates in Computer Science. Recently, they also introduced programs in Management, Telecommunication and Computer Engineering. The
University of the PunjabThe University of the Punjab , colloquially known as Punjab University, is located in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. The University of the Punjab was formally established with the convening of the first meeting of its Senate on October 14, 1882 at Simla...
is the oldest institute of higher learning in the country. It was established in 1882. The
National College of ArtsThe National College of Arts Lahore , usually referred to by its acronym NCA, is a famous old college in Lahore, Pakistan.Like all old institutions, the National College of Arts, has a historical tradition. Much of its present tone was set long ago when it was known as the Mayo School of Arts...
, is the oldest and most renowned arts college of Pakistan. The oldest institution of Pakistan, Government College Lahore (now
Government College UniversityGovernment College University, Lahore is a co-educational public university located on The Mall in Lahore, Pakistan. Although the college was granted the status of university by the Pakistan Government in 2002, the word college is still retained in the name for historical reasons and also because...
), established in 1864, is also situated in Lahore.
Forman Christian CollegeForman Christian College is a private, chartered university in Lahore, Pakistan. Named after its founder, Dr. Charles William Forman, it is ranked among the best institutions of higher education in Punjab , as measured by the examination scores of the regional education board .- History :Forman...
(a chartered university) Lahore is also one of the oldest educational institute of Pakistan. It was established in 1864. The college has launched one of the best 4-year BS program and MBA. A regional campus of National University Of Modern Languages (NUML)is also situated in Lahore.
University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore (UET Lahore), the oldest technical degree awarding institute and the very first university in the area of engineering and technology in Pakistan is situated in Lahore. Established as Mughalpura Technical College in 1921, it was upgraded to University in 1962 when it became Pakistan's first university focusing engineering and technology. UET Lahore is Pakistan's largest public sector engineering university which offers bachelors degrees in 29 specialties and MSc degrees in 55 specialties.
Lahore School of Economics]]The Lahore School of Economics was established in 1993 and chartered by the Government of Punjab in January 1997, through The Lahore School of Economics Act 1997 . It is based in the city of Lahore, Pakistan.The Lahore School of Economics has two campuses: the Main campus and the City...
is another famous business school in the city. University of Management and Technology (Pakistan)and the University of Lahore are also located in lahore which are one of the best business universities in Pakistan. FAST-NU is another big institution providing the world with great minds particularly in Software Engineering. PUCIT [Punjab University College of Information Technology] is a highly reputed IT institute in Pakistan and produces quality Computer Science and IT professionals.
NUSTNUST may refer to:* Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, China* National University of Sciences and Technology, a multi-campus university in Pakistan...
National University of Sciences and Technology is one of the best institutions in Engineering along with GIKI. Cathedral School Lahore is one of the oldest and most famous schools in Lahore it is present there since 1850's and has a great ranked faculity and administration staff.
Lahore also boasts three finest and most renowned high schools in Asia,
Aitchison CollegeAitchison College Lahore is a semi-private boarding school for boys aged 3–19, located in Lahore, Punjab, in Pakistan.The school follows a curriculum designed to culminate in GCE O and A qualifications and is geared towards preparing the students for university education.Aitchison College is the...
,St. Anthony's High School and Lahore Grammar School, which feed students to all the leading universities across the globe.
Aitchison CollegeAitchison College Lahore is a semi-private boarding school for boys aged 3–19, located in Lahore, Punjab, in Pakistan.The school follows a curriculum designed to culminate in GCE O and A qualifications and is geared towards preparing the students for university education.Aitchison College is the...
and St. Anthony's High School are also responsible for producing renowned political leaders and sportsmen for Pakistan. The
University of LahoreThe University of Lahore was established in 1999 as a private university by the Ibadat Educational Trust. It is accredited by the Pakistan Engineering Council , Pakistan Medical and Dental Council and The Pharmacy Council of Pakistan...
is a new private sector university in Lahore. It is emerging very quickly as a university with strength in the areas of Engineering Sciences & Technology, Business & Administrative Sciences and Biotechnology.
Lollywood
Lahore is the core of Pakistan's media and Arts scene. Pakistan's most prestigious Art college,
National College of ArtsThe National College of Arts Lahore , usually referred to by its acronym NCA, is a famous old college in Lahore, Pakistan.Like all old institutions, the National College of Arts, has a historical tradition. Much of its present tone was set long ago when it was known as the Mayo School of Arts...
, is located here. Every year, it hosts the 'World performing Arts festival' in which artists from dozens of countries show off their talents'. This festival is managed by the Peerzada group, which is also the largest puppetry theater company in the Pakistan. Lahore is also home to the country's developing fashion industry supported by numerous designer outlets and the country's most prestigious Fashion school, the Pakistan school of Fashion and Design which has some of the best photo studios and photographers in the country.
Lahore has also been home to Pakistan's old classical music,
ghazalThe ghazal is a poetic form consisting of rhyming couplets and a refrain, with each line sharing the same meter. A ghazal may be understood as a poetic expression of both the pain of loss or separation and the beauty of love in spite of that pain. The form is ancient, originating in 6th century...
s and Qawalis, with big names such as
Noor jehanNoor Jehan was the adopted stage name for Allah Wasai who was a singer and actress in British India and Pakistan...
, arif lohar,
Nusrat Fateh Ali KhanNusrat Fateh Ali Khan , was a Punjabi musician from Pakistan, primarily a singer of Qawwali, the devotional music of the Sufis . He featured in Time magazine's 2006 list of 'Asian Heroes'.- Early life and career :Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was born on October 13, 1948 in the city of Faisalabad, Pakistan...
,
Mehdi hassanMehdi Hassan, TI, PP, HI affectionately called Khan Sahib and titled Shehnshah-e-Ghazal is a legendary Pakistani Ghazal singer and a former playback singer for Lollywood...
,
Ghulam AliGhulam Ali Ghulam Ali Ghulam Ali is a Pakistani ghazal singer of the Patiala gharana. He is not to be confused with the Indian singer Bade Ghulam Ali Khan (of whom he was a disciple) or Chhote Ghulam Ali, who is another Pakistani singer in the qawwali style....
etc all residing in the city. In recent years Lahore has given out Pakistan's largest pop singer such as
Atif AslamAtif Aslam is a Pakistani pop singer. He was born in Wazirabad and educated in Lahore and Rawalpindi. He is widely recognized in South Asia and has several hit songs such as Aadat, Woh Lamhe, and Meri Kahani. In addition to his success in Pakistan, he has also emerged as a successful singer in...
and
Ali ZafarAli Zafar also known as Prince of Pop, is a Pakistani musician, actor, painter and model probably most noted around South Asia for his music, including his hit songs like "Channo", "Rangeen", "Chal Dil Merey", "Dekha", "Masty" and "Sajania"...
, while the city is recognized as the birthplace of modern rock scene in south Asia by bands such as
JalJAL can mean the following:* Japan Airlines - ICAO airline designator* El Lencero Airport in Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico * JAL is a compiler for the PIC microcontroller.* The state of Jalisco in México....
, Call the band,
RoxenRoxen is a medium-sized lake in south central Sweden, east of lake Vättern, part of the waterpath Motala ström and the Göta Canal. South of lake Roxen is the city Linköping....
,
NooriNoori is a rock band from Lahore, Pakistan. Noori is one of the pioneering rock bands from Pakistan comprising two brothers, Ali Noor and Ali Hamza, the band is known for its hard hitting impact in a multitude of interactive experiences, be they audio-visual, live, interpersonal or internet based...
and Entityparadigm, which were hugely popular and lead many in the Indian film industry to import their songs.
Pakistan's film industry is also based in the city and is called
LollywoodLollywood refers to the Pakistani film industry based in the city of Lahore. The name is a portmanteau of the city's initial with Hollywood. The word "Lollywood" was first coined in the summer of 1989 in the now defunct magazine "Glamour" published from Karachi by a gossip columnist Saleem Nasir....
. Many films are filmed in Lahore and the city has some of the oldest film studios in the country. Many actors and directors are based in Lahore which brings many artists together to launch films. Cinema is on the incline again in recent years and IMAX is also building outlets in the city. Several FM radio stations have set up their operations here and some TV channels also work from this city. Lahore is also home to Geo TV's Infotainment Division and the headquarters of Pakistan's first Kids television channel Wikid and the first community Channel of Pakistan for [DHA].
Sports
Gaddafi StadiumGaddafi Stadium is a Test cricket ground in Lahore, Pakistan. It was designed by Pakistani architect Murat Khan and completed in 1959. Some additions were added many years later by Nayyar Ali Dada....
is a
Test cricket ground in Lahore. Designed by Pakistani architect
Nayyar Ali DadaNayyar Ali Dada , is a renowned Pakistani architect.Born Nayyar Ali Zaidi, he was given his commonly recognized last name by a teacher for his painting and drawing skills. His family were originally Indian Muslims, but migrated from Delhi to Lahore in the 1950s, where he, in 1957, enrolled into...
, it was completed in 1959 and is one of the biggest cricket stadiums in Asia. After its renovation for the
1996 Cricket World CupThe 1996 Cricket World Cup was the sixth edition of the tournament and was won by Sri Lanka who beat Australia by 7 wickets at the final in Lahore.-Hosts:The 1996 World Cup was played in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka...
, the stadium now boasts a capacity of over 60,000. Nearby is an athletics stadium, a basketball pitch, the Al Hamra, open-air hall similar in design to the coliseum, and the world's largest
field hockeyField hockey is a team sport in which a team of players attempt to score goals by hitting, pushing or flicking the ball with hockey sticks into the opposing team's goal. Its official name is simply hockey, and this is the common name for it in many countries...
stadium, Another Cricket Ground and Headquarters of Pakistan Cricket Board, all based in the city's Sports complex. In the same vicinity lie headquarters of the
Pakistan Football FederationThe Pakistan Football Federation is the governing body of football in Pakistan. The PFF’s headquarters is at FIFA Football House in Lahore, Punjab near the Punjab Stadium.-Overview:...
, as well as the multi-sport
Punjab StadiumPunjab Stadium is a football stadium in Lahore, Pakistan. It is used for other sporting events. The stadium was built in 2003 and had been built at a cost of Rs. 110 million. The stadium has a capacity of 64,000.The architect of the project is Khalil ur Rehman & Associates. The Pakistan Football...
.
Lahore is home to
Pakistan Premier LeagueThe Pakistan Premier League is the first division of Pakistani football. It was established in 2004, in place of the National Championship by the Pakistan Football Federation.-Origins:...
giants
WAPDA FCWAPDA are a Pakistani football club who play in the Pakistan Premier League.WAPDA have been Pakistani champions 7 times. They won their first title in 1983, beating HBL FC, and repeated this feat in 1991 against HBL. In 2001 they overcame KRL FC to win their third title, and retained their title in...
, alongside
Pakistan Railways FCThe Pakistan Railways are a Pakistani football club from Lahore who play in the Pakistan Premier League and play at the Railway Stadium. Nicknamed the Railwaymen, they are one of the oldest football clubs in Pakistan and were created by the railway workers on the Pakistan Railway.In 1969, they beat...
,
PEL FCPEL FC is a Pakistani football club based in Lahore that competes in Pakistan Premier League. It is affiliated with Pakistani appliance and electronics company Pak Elektron Limited....
, and
Wohaib FCHafiz Wohaib Butt Memorial Football Club or simply Wohaib FC are a football club playing in the Pakistan Premier League. The club is based in the city of Lahore....
.
The other game of the punjab well known as KABBADI in Asia is famous in Lahore.Many citizens play kabbadi after their work.
The
Lahore MarathonThe Lahore Marathon is an annual road marathon held in Lahore, Pakistan since 2005. The main event is the traditional 42.195 km marathon race. Other races in the marathon include a 10 km race, 5 km "Family Fun Run", and 3 km races for people with physical and visual impairment...
is part of an annual package of six international marathons being sponsored by
Standard Chartered BankStandard Chartered Bank is a British bank headquartered in London with operations in more than seventy countries. It operates a network of over 1,700 branches and outlets and employs 73,000 people....
across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. The Lahore race carries prize money of approximately US$100,000. More than 20,000 athletes from Pakistan and all over the world participate in this event. It was first held on January 30, 2005, and again on January 29, 2006. More than 22,000 people participated in the 2006 race. The third marathon was held on January 14, 2007.
Plans exist to build Pakistan's first sports city in Lahore, on the bank of the river Ravi.
Sister cities
Lahore has several sister cities:
BelgradeBelgrade Belgrade Belgrade (Serbian Cyrillic: Београд, Serbian Latin: Beograd (meaning "White City" in Serbian) is the capital and largest city of Serbia. The city lies on two international waterways, at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where Central Europe's Pannonian Plain meets...
,
SerbiaSerbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a country located in both Central and Southeastern Europe. Its territory covers the southern part of the Pannonian Plain and central part of the Balkans...
(2007).
IstanbulIstanbul is the largest city in Turkey and fifth largest city proper in the world with a population of 12.6 million. Istanbul is also a megacity, as well as the cultural and financial centre of Turkey. The city covers 39 districts of the Istanbul province...
,
TurkeyTurkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey
, is a Eurasian country that stretches across the Anatolian peninsula in Western Asia and Thrace in the Balkan region of southeastern Europe...
(1975).
SariwonSariwŏn is the capital of North Hwanghae Province, North Korea. The city's population is reported to be 310,100 people and its coordinates are at 38.50778 N, 125.75444 E....
,
North KoreaNorth Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea , is a state in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer area between North Korea and South Korea...
(1988).
Xi'anXi'an , is the capital of the Shaanxi province in the People's Republic of China and a sub-provincial city...
,
ChinaChina is a cultural region, an ancient civilization, and, depending on perspective, a national or multinational entity extending over a large area in East Asia....
(1992).
KortrijkKortrijk is a Belgian city and municipality located in the Flemish province West Flanders. The wider municipality comprises the city of Kortrijk proper and the towns of Aalbeke, Bellegem, Bissegem, Heule, Kooigem, Marke, and Rollegem.The city is situated on the Leie River, 42 km southwest of...
,
BelgiumThe Kingdom of Belgium is a country in northwest Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts its headquarters, as well as those of other major international organizations, including NATO...
(1993). Fez,
MoroccoMorocco, officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is a country located in North Africa with a population of nearly 32 million and an area just under . Its capital is Rabat, and its largest city is Casablanca. Morocco has a coast on the Atlantic Ocean that reaches past the Strait of Gibraltar into the...
(1994).
Córdoba||-||-||}Córdoba is a city in Andalusia, southern Spain, and the capital of the province of Córdoba. Located at 37.88° North, 4.77° West, on the Guadalquivir river, it was founded in ancient Roman times as Corduba by Claudius Marcellus...
,
SpainSpain , officially the Kingdom of Spain , is a country located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula.
[The Spanish constitution does not establish any official denomination of the country, even though España , Estado español and Nación española are used interchangeably...]
(1994).
SamarkandSamarkand is the second-largest city in Uzbekistan and the capital of Samarqand Province. The city is most noted for its central position on the Silk Road between China and the West, and for being an Islamic centre for scholarly study. The Bibi-Khanym Mosque remains one of the city's most famous...
,
UzbekistanUzbekistan, officially the Republic of Uzbekistan , is a doubly landlocked country in Central Asia, formerly part of the Soviet Union...
(1995). Isfahan,
IranIran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran is a country in Western Asia. The name Iran has been in use natively since the Sassanid period and came into international use from 1935, before which the country was known internationally as Persia...
(2004). Mashad,
IranIran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran is a country in Western Asia. The name Iran has been in use natively since the Sassanid period and came into international use from 1935, before which the country was known internationally as Persia...
(2006).
GlasgowGlasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
,
ScotlandScotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
,
United KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a sovereign state located off the northwestern coast of continental Europe. It is an island country, spanning an archipelago including Great Britain, the northeastern part of Ireland, and many small islands...
(2006).
ChicagoChicago is the largest city in the U.S. state of Illinois, and with more than 2.8 million people, the 3rd largest city in the United States...
,
IllinoisIllinois , the 21st state admitted to the United States of America, is the most populous and demographically diverse Midwestern state and the fifth most populous state in the nation...
,
United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
(2007).
DushanbeDushanbe , population 679,400 people , is the capital and largest city of Tajikistan...
,
TajikistanTajikistan , officially the Republic of Tajikistan , is a mountainous landlocked country in Central Asia. Afghanistan borders it to the south, Uzbekistan to the west, Kyrgyzstan to the north, and People's Republic of China to the east...
.
FresnoFresno is a city in California, USA, the county seat of Fresno County. As of February 27, 2009, the population was estimated at 500,017, making it the fifth largest city in California and the 36th largest in the nation...
,
CaliforniaCalifornia is the most populous state in the United States, and the third largest by area. California is the second most populous sub-national entity in the Americas, behind only São Paulo, Brazil...
,
United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Tel AvivTel Aviv-Yafo , usually called Tel Aviv, is the second largest city in Israel, with an estimated population of 391,300. The city is situated on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline, with a land area of...
,
IsraelIsrael officially the State of Israel , is a developed state in Western Asia located on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. It borders Lebanon in the north, Syria in the northeast, Jordan in the east, and Egypt on the southwest, and contains geographically diverse features within its...
KrakówKraków , in English also spelled Krakow or Cracow and pronounced
, is one of the largest and oldest cities in Poland and a popular tourist destination. Its historic centre was inscribed on the list of World Heritage Sites as the first of its kind...
,
PolandPoland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe . Poland is bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
External links