Gujar Khan
Gujar Khan is approximately 57 km (35 mi) southeast of Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, and 220 km (140 mi) to the northwest of Lahore, the capital of Punjab. It is bounded on the north by Rawalpindi, Islamabad, and Attock, on the south by Jhelum, Lahore, and Gujrat, on the east by Azad Kashmir, and Kahuta and on the west by Chakwal and Khushab.
Located in the heart of the Potohar region, The city and surrounding region is renowned for their martial culture and is sometimes referred to as the 'Land of the Shaheed', having produced two recipients of the Nishan-i-Haider. There is the main district hospital in the center of the city, along with many other private and public medical and care services.
History
The place was named due to the large population of Gujjars which inhabited this area. Some Gujjar settlements are still present in the Gujar Khan Tehsil. The modern town was developed by the British colonial authorities after the region came under British rule in 1848.
Gujar Khan also contained a notable Hindu and Sikh population, though much of this population migrated to India following partition. However the area is still home to Hindu temples and Sikh Gurdwaras which have been not maintained through the years. Today most of the population is Muslim.
Administration
Gujar Khan is administratively subdivided into 36 union councils, whereas City Gujar Khan is administered by municipal corporation.
According to the 2017 census of Pakistan, the city had a population of 678,503.
Natural resources
Large reserves of oil and gas were discovered in February 2002 at Tobra, about ten kilometres from Gujar Khan. The field is being developed by the Oil and Gas Development Company. The field could produce 1,600 barrels of crude oil daily. Missa Kaswal and Ahdi is also a major source of energy in Gujar khan. Missa Kaswal is supplying several cubic meters of gas on a daily basis and is also extracting large quantities of oil.
Transport
Road
Gujar Khan is located on the N5 National highway from Islamabad-Lahore. Railway Road links from the east of the city to the nearby towns of Bewal and Islampura. There are also many other minor roads linking the villages and towns of the region to the city.
Rail
The Gujar Khan railway station is located in the center of the city and provides links to Rawalpindi, Jhelum, and Lahore.
Bus
Local services also provide extensive bus routes to local towns, and smaller shuttles go around the villages in the surrounding area. There are also services to Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Jhelum, and Lahore.
Local auto-rickshaw drivers also provide transport for people in and around the city.
Notable people
- Chaudhry Muhammad Riaz, politician and Ex-MNA
- Raja Muhammad Sarwar, first recipient of [[Nishan-e-Haider]
- Mohammad Amir, cricketer
- Muhammad Javed Ikhlas, former MPA and MNA from Pakistan Muslim League (N)
- Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Speaker National Assembly, former Prime Minister of Pakistan
- Muhammad Hussain Janjua, first soldier to be awarded Nishan-e-Haider
- Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, former Chief of Army Staff, Pakistan Army
- Najaf Shah, cricketer