Gujranwala

Gujranwala گوجرانوالہ
City District
Gujranwala Main Railway Station
Country	Pakistan
Region	Punjab
District	Gujranwala District
Autonomous towns	7
Union councils	19
Government
• Nazim	Fayyaz Ahmad Chattha
• Naib nazim	Jamal Manj
Area
• Total	3,198 km2 (1,235 sq mi)
Population  (2010)
• Total	1,569,090
Time zone	UTC+5 (PST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+6 (PDT)
Area code	055

Gujranwala (Punjabi : گوجرانوالہ ; Urdu: گوجرانوالہ) is a city in the north east of the Punjab province. It is the seventh largest city in Pakistan with a population of 1,132,509 (1998 census) Gujranwala is located at 32.16° North, 74.18° East and is 226 metres (744 feet) above sea-level. It borders with Ghakhar Mandi and some small towns and villages. Punjabi is the local language, however English and Urdu are also common, particularly in schools and offices.

Due to extensive road and rail links the city has flourished within the manufacturing and agricultural markets. The city is on the Grand Trunk Road which allows logistical connections to the provincial capitals such as Peshawar and Lahore. Gujranwala is known for its extensive production of sugarcanes, melons and grains for exporting internationally. The city also has set up several commercial and industrial centres allowing the manufacturing of ceramics, iron safes, metal utensils, textiles, sanitary as well as tannery production. The city is also known for its wrestlers & bodybuilders. It has produced some of the finest wrestlers & bodybuilders of the sub-continent, which has resulted in the city to be called the "City of Wrestlers" or "Phelwana da shehar" in Punjabi. "Gold's Gym" is the most famous gym among all bodybuilders due to its unique and most advanced machinery. The city also arguably has some of the best barbecue food in the Punjab such specialities as Kebabs, Chicken Tikka and Lamb Chops.

History

The human settlements in Gujranwala existed since antiquity.According to the Imperial Gazetteer of India the town was originally founded by Gujjars, and renamed Khanpur by some Sansi Jats of Amritsar who settled there; but its old name has survived. Many historians also states that place was named after Gujjars, while they formerly ruled the Gurjara Pratihara Kingdom for centuries.

In 630 the Chinese Buddhist pilgrim, Hsuan Tsang visited a major town known as Tse-kia (or Taki) which was in the vicinity of modern Gujranwala. A mound near the modern village of Asarur has been identified as the site of the ancient city. Until the arrival of the Muslims little is known of Gujranwala, except that Taki had fallen into oblivion and Lahore had become the chief city. Under Muslim rule the district flourished for a time; but a mysterious depopulation took place and the whole region seems to have been almost entirely abandoned. The district gazetteer dates the name of Gujranwala to approximately the middle of the 16th century.

The Sikhs dominated the Punjab after the death of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir in 1707. The town became important during the rule of the father and grandfather of Ranjit Singh. Maharaja Ranjit Singh who himself was born here became the most powerful of all the Sikh rulers. It was Hari Singh Nalwa, the great military commander of the Sikh Kingdom, who was credited with having built the 'new' city of Gujranwala.

The area was conquered and annexed by the British Empire in 1849. A railway line was built alongside the Grand Trunk Road in 1881 to connect Gujranwala with other cities of the Punjab and made commercial trade between cities more convenient. The municipality of Gujranwala was created in 1867. The North-Western Railway connected Gujranwala with other cities of British India to the far ends of the Empire such as Calcutta as well as Karachi. The population according to the 1901 census of India was 29,224. In 1903-4 the income and expenditure were Rs. 83,100 and Rs. 67,900 respectively. The chief source of income was octroi Rs. 59,700.

After the creation of Pakistan in 1947, Gujranwala developed rapidly and is now a leading city of Pakistan. Gujranwala, as a district was run by a Deputy Commissioner until it became a Division. In 1951 the city was converted into the capital of the district which gave rise to new industries in the city. Many prominent civil servants worked as its Deputy Commissioners, renowned among them is Mr. Mansur Zaimur Rehman (M.Z. Rehman) who worked as the DC from 1959 to 1962. He initiated many development projects including the cantonment. He is known for his hard work, integrity and honesty. In 1991, the city hosted its first test match at the Jinnah Stadium as well as several One Day International matches. Since then the city has continued to thrive with improved economic growth and stabilisation.

Geography and climate

Gujranwala is located at 32.16° North, 74.18° East and is 226 metres (744 feet) above sea-level. It borders with Ghakhar Mandi and various small towns and villages. To its South lies the provincial capital, Lahore which is roughly 80 km away. Sialkot and Gujrat lie to its North along the Grand Trunk Road which leads to Mirpur in Azad Kashmir. To the south west of the city lies Faisalabad which is roughly 160 KM from the city.

The climate of Gujranwala ranges quite drastically through the year. The summer periods last from June through to September where the temperature reaches 36-42 degree Celsius. The colder months are usually November to February. The temperature can drop to seven degree Celsius on average. The highest precipitation months are usually July and August when the monsoon season hits the Punjab province. Whereas the other months the average rainfall is roughly 25mm. The driest months are usually November through to April where little rainfall is seen.

Government

Since the introduction of the local government system in 2001 the city has been governed by a Nazim (Mayor). In 2007, Gujranwala was reorganised as a City-District composed of seven autonomous towns:

1. Khiali Shah Pur Town
2. Qilah Dedar Singh Town
3. Aroop Town
4. Nandi Pur Town
5. Wazirabad Town
6. Kamoki Town
7. Noshehra Virkan Town

Problems

There are many hospitals, clinics and NGOs in Gujranwala, such as the Sundas Foundation, Maa Foundation, Roshni Homes, Al-Rae Hospitals, Gondal Hospital and Chatha Hospital on DC road (biggest private hospital in Gujranwala). The city hospitals are not equipped to cope with huge amount of people which now reside in the city. Gujranwala still lacks cheap and proper medical treatment hence most people visit the hospitals in Lahore. Gujarnwala has only one decent Government hospital called DHQ (civil hospital) which is burdened by the patients from the city.

1. Broken Roads, trash, bad sewerage system and the habibs are one of the main problems.

Economy

Gujranwala is a major agricultural and industrial city of Punjab, Pakistan. The rural areas around Gujranwala produce a large variety of agricultural goods, the main crops are rice, wheat, cotton, potatoes, barley, grains, melons, sugarcane and pearl millet. Cultivation in the surrounding area are dependent upon canal irrigation provided by the River Chenab. The rice grown in the city is regarded as one of the best in Asia. The Gujranwala Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) shares a building with the zonal and circle offices of Habib Bank Limited, United Bank Limited, Allied Bank Limited and State Bank of Pakistan. Because of its ideal location on economic lifeline of G.T. Road in Punjab, Gujranwala city has from times immemorial been a centre of trade and industry. The city was famous for its metal utensils manufacturing industry even under alien British rule before independence. Rapid growth was however, seen after independence in 1947. The number of industrial units enhanced from 40 in 1947 to 6,357 in 2006 during span of more than half a century of independence. Away from international border with erstwhile hostile India, the city attracted artisans and investors from all sides and today it has 2 small industrial estates while 3rd estate and export processing zone (EPZ) projects are in the pipeline. The city is busting at its seams and both planned and unplanned settlements are emerging on with the passage of time. Gujranwala ranks 3rd largest industrial centre in the country after Karachi and Faisalabad. The nature of industry developed here is varied and vast with major part of light engineering industry besides textile, leather, electrical engineering, ceramics, cutlery and many others. The Gujranwala Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) is a representative body of traders. The major development is that the manufacturers of quality products have devolved on exports, so much so that foreign exchange of 285 million dollars was earned for the country during the year 2004-05 and optimistic target was set for the current year 2005-06. The target is very likely to be achieved. Apart from export, the industry has lowered import bill to the tune of 600 million dollars by producing such items locally, which were previously imported from other countries. This saving is also equal to earning foreign exchange as "economy is the best source of revenue". Gujranwala's industrial areas have numerous textile mills, cutlery manufacturing and large agricultural processing plants, Ceramics industries, electronic equipments and auto industry. Master Industries (which makes tiles, ceramics, sanitary, baby diapers and ballpoints and other stationery products) , Super Asia Industry (makers of electronic equipment like air conditioner, washing machines, fans, heat geysers etc.) and Bright Industry(makers of very good quality of washing machines,gysers room air_cooler etc)are three major industries of Gujranwala.Gujranwala is also famous for its plastic products, the big names are Boss, Citizen and Toyo. Nowadays there are many industries which are making motorcycles like Toyo Industries, Super Asia and others. The major exports include rice, sugar, textiles, carpets, glass goods, medical equipment, leather products, metal utensils, agricultural equipment, and automotive machinery parts as well as producing machinery for military uses. The main source of energy is a hydro-electric project on the Chenab River. The city also has a dry port that has contributed a major part of the export growth for the city.

Culture

Gujranwala is a historical and cultural city situated north east region of the Punjab province. Gujranwala offers a number of sights and activities which the city has given the city its name. Since the city is known as the "City of Wrestlers", the city hosts a number of bodybuilding tournaments, Kabaddi matches as well as weightlifting. Food is the second most famous thing Gujranwala is known for. The city has developed a very distinct kind of barbecue foods ranging to suit every style and budget. People from all over Punjab travel to the city just to taste the different types of cuisine that the city is proud of. There are a range of recreational spots and landmarks in Gujranwala, the following are some of the most significant attractions:

• Nishan E Manzil - It is one of the famous picnic spots in Gujranwala. It attracts a big crowd not only from Gujranwala but also from many other parts of Pakistan. The park has a memorial listing people that lost their lives for the country.
• Gulshan Park - It is the central park for the city of Gujranwala with playgrounds, picnic spots, boat/train rides and a large lake.
• Food Street, Gujranwala - A street dedicated to Pakistani cuisine reflecting the culture and traditions of the city.
• Jinnah Stadium - An international cricket stadium which hosts international/domestic tests and ODIs.
• Gold's Gym - It is one of the most famous gym in Pakistan with its unique and most advanced machinery.
• Nishat Cinema - A famous entertainment center with shows Pakistani and Indian movies as well as recreational and musical events.
• Jinnah Park - A newly built park at G. T. Road, Lahore Side from center of the city facilitate the citizens of Gujranwala.
• Pace Shopping Center - A large chain shopping center. There are hundreds of shops and restaurants in Pace. Here you can purchase virtually everything of the world.
• Jinnah Library - A historical library located at the Trust Plaza.
• Rail Bazaar - One of the oldest bazaars in the city. It is fulfilled with many garment, arts and crafts and clothing shops to suit all tastes.
• Other Bazaars/Markets: Satellite Town Market, Model Town Market, Wapda Town Market, D.C Road Market, Bank More Cantt Market, Butta Plaza and Sialkoti Gate.
• Liaqat Bagh - one of the old park in the city. Newly renovated by the city government to meet international standards.
• Other Parks: Dhobi Ghat Ground, 4 Park, Toti Bus wali Ground and Gol Park also famous.
• Other Cinema Halls: Zinco and Kasmir Mehal

Education

There are several colleges affiliated with the University of the Punjab which also operates a main campus offering courses such as LLB, BCom, MCom, and MBA. Another higher education institute is the GIFT University which also offer courses such as BBA, MBA, Computer Science, MBA, MSc Accounting & Finance, Textile and Design, M.A. English. There is also the Rachna Engineering University in Gujranwala. Punjab College of Commerce & Information Technology is one of the best college in Gujranwala which has grabbed 15 out of 18 positions in Gujranwala board, offering courses such as FSc, ICS, ICom, BCom, MCom, and MBA. Other colleges include Elite College of Commerce, National college of Science, Superior College of Science, Government College for boys, Government College for girls, Government Islamia college, Workers Welfare School & College and Crescent College of Science. Quaid-e-Azam Divisional Public College is the biggest institution in the District. It has its own cricket oval and numerous buildings and is currently run by semi-Government and Board of Trustees.

Islamia college has started Msc. Chemistry in Gujranwala. It is affiliated with The University of Punjab. Another institute is the SOFT Solutions College. SOFT Solutions College is well rated among the private colleges in Gujranwala division. At the Community Development front, Gujranwala is also home to the Roshni Homes Trust, an orphanage that provides a home, a family and an education to orphaned and abandoned children. Beaconhouse School System Gujranwala is the only school in Gujranwala which offers both GCE O and A Level. It has achieved admirable results in both examinations, with its Alumni students currently studying in privileged institutions in Pakistan and abroad, such as Lahore University of Management Sciences and the Aga Khan University. Once there was also an Institution named Dublin Institute of Information Technology. Army Public School & College is one of the leading institution of Gujranwala which has produced many engineers, doctors, scientist in the past 30 years of excellence. Currently governed by Lt Col Atta-ur-Rehman it is making a variety of new techniques for skillful learnings. Swedish Group of Technical Institutes, Punjab is the Largest Technical Training Institutes in Pakistan which is providing the (Three Years Diploma of Associate Engineering DAE) Technical Education in nine(9) major cities of the Punjab like Gujranwala, Gujrat, Rawalpindi, Multan, Wah Cantt, Chakwal, Rahim Yaar Khan, Muzaffar Garh, Layyah and Bagh (AJK), in different Technologies like Electrical, Electronics, Mechanical, Chemical, Civil, Architecture, Computer Hardware, Computer Information Technology, Telecommunication and Automation. Swedish Institute of Technology, Gujranwala is the Mother Institute of Swedish Group. This Institute is run by Al-Asar Technical Education Society, Gujranwala. St. Joseph's English High School was the first English medium school in the city, established in 1954. Future Vision School at Shaheenabad Gujranwala is another state of the art purpose build English Medium school. Muhammad Ibrahim of Quaid i Azam university is resident of Ferozwala.Whre is Govt Schools.

Transport

Gujranwala Railway Station

Gujranwala is an extremely accessible city, benefiting from excellent road and rail links built during the reign of the British has allowed the city to grow and prosper. By road, the city is less than two hours away from Lahore and three hours drive from Islamabad. The city has a dry port for the export of local products to the rest of the world. The Grand Trunk Road and the motorways have helped the logistical movement of cargo as well as communiting from one city to the next.

There are also rail links with major cities in Pakistan including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Faisalabad as well as smaller cities within the country. The Gujranwala Railway Station was built by the British before the independence of Pakistan. It is situated on the Grand Trunk Road at the centre of the city.

Gujranwala however does not have its own airport. However, the city is served by two international airports at Lahore and Sialkot which offer flights domestically as well as internationally. Allama Iqbal International Airport (80 km from the city) and Sialkot International Airport (40 km from the city) are the prime airports that provide flights to the people of Gujranwala. City Tours is also serving to people of Gujranwala.

Food & Beverage

No trip to Gujranwala can be complete without visiting at least one of its many enticing restaurants.During our research we saw each and every eatery places of Gujranwala. Fortunately I was appointed again for food research by Smeda in Gujranwala after Lahore for food and restarent research. Gujranwala is foremost name in kabab & Bar-b-Q, Gujranwala is located on G.T road, which can be manipulated properly to give a boost to food industry, People use G.T road for traveling from Islamabad to Lahore and vise verse. One of the most unique aspect of this city is bar-b-q ,

• Lone Palace is a marriage and banquet hall. It enjoys tremedous welcome from the citizens after its inauguration on November 6, 2009. The gorgeous and suplended outlook of the building combines ever celebrated Mughal architecture with the modern one. The building, in reality, is a notable addition to the beauty of the city... the most dignified building of the city. Its food flavours traditional taste and freshness. However, general serving is awaited yet. They serve only parties.

• Food Street A small food street with name of Liberty Market is also established in Gujranwala. Renowned restaurants like Hot Grill restaurant (Closed), Quick Pizza Hut and Fry Master are providing high services. After Shebaz Tikka Shop it's the busiest food area in Gujranwala.
• Shelton Hotel besides these traditional spots, Shelton Hotel has been providing % different types of cuisine since 1987 in Gujranwala, and also providing banquet and other horteling services.
• Royal Garden In 2002, Royal Garden Hotel started its operations in Gujranwala. This restaurent also provides variety of cuisine aling with restaurantservices.
• Marian Hotel Marian hotel was brought a great change in tradintional and continental cuisine in Oct. 2006, This restaurant also provides the same services as Royal Garden Hotel does but it has created different through its environment which is modern but with a traditional artistic touch.
• Hotel Global Village Hotel Global Village is also a great name in traditional and continental cuisine. It has facilities of restaurant as well as Marriage Hall along with a beautiful Marriage Lawn. Hotel Global Village situated near Rahwali Cantt opposite DC Colony, a famous modern housing colony at G T road N5.
• Fast Junk Food Many small restaurant have also started their operations in Gujranwala in last five years. Among those restaurants famous names are Salva Restaurant, Chanab Rutt, Usmania Restaurant, etc., there are also many fast food outlets in fried chicken such as HFC, AFC and in pizza KIng Pizzaetc, whose branches are spread all over the city.
• Picking Restaurant Picking Restaurant is new addition in cuisine market of gujranwala, and other sea food specialist, it is located in downtown area of the city, Model Town. It has been serving their Chinese and local stuff to their customers. Their Pakistani continental also grabbing market share.
• Ghanni kay Pai Ganni kay pai once in a life time u should eat, from across the Pakistan, families come to eat here
• Shabaz Tika you 'll find variety of dishes, including grilled foods, Batair, Tikka, Chiray(sparrow), rice dishes, curry, and everyone's favorite, desserts here.we visited this place with Trade development authorities of Pakistan's directors,its menu offers a combination of continental food, local cuisine and dessert. The focus being the main entrées on the desi menu; curries, kebabs, barbecue dishes, naans chicken dishes. The upside is the manner in which the waiters dealt with it once the complaint made its way to their very distracted ears: eager to solve the issue at hand, the waiter presented us with a light shade ala napkin. Points down for the lack of elegance but the round went to the house for good service.
• Allah Rakha Allah Rakha is famous for its chiken karahi & Seekh Kabab(Ground beef grilled on skewers marinated with aromatic herbs and succulent spices). Chops(Goat chops grilled).Dal Fry with fresh cilantro, green peppers.
• Briyani Express is new addition in Gujranwala traditional food, when we started research it was first place where we went. rice was fluffy and tempting blended with saucy chiken.
• Pizza Hot is a new arrival in the food choieces in the limits of Gujranwala Cantt. offering the best quality of pizza in gujranwala.also offering the best quality of services at the site and free home delivery with buy one get one free.

Media

Gujranwala TV (GTV) is the first community based TV channel started in 1999, just with the motive to upgrading minds through media, in the channels 10 years history it covers almost all aspects of Gujranwala life, sports, Industry news, educational debates, showbiz and social activities. TVR is an upcoming project of The Renaissance group expected to be launched in 2010.

See also

• Gujranwala District
• Gujranwala Division
• Gujranwala Electric Power Company
• Ghakhar Mandi
• Ahmed Nager Chatha
• Aminabad

External links

• GujranwalaPost Gujranwala's First Online Newspaper
• Gujranwala History
• Gujranwala TV
• Gujranwala Times Daily News Online
• Article on Gujranwala from the 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica