Hafizabad District

In 327 BC, when Alexander the Great invaded the territory that is now Pakistan, the territory of the Sandal Bar (where Hafizabad is now located) was a populated area. Big cities were located in the district, and many sub-states were organized here in the presidency of native Maharajas and Rajas. In 997 CE, Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi, took over the Ghaznavid dynasty empire established by his father, Sultan Sebuktegin, In 1005 he conquered the Shahis in Kabul in 1005, and followed it by the conquests of Punjab region. The Delhi Sultanate and later Mughal Empire ruled the region. The Punjab region became predominantly Muslim due to missionary Sufi saints whose dargahs dot the landscape of Punjab region. During the Delhi Sultanate period a big city was situated at the site of the present village of Mehdiabad. But afterwards, this territory became unpopulated and jungle-like because of a shortage of water and Afghan incursions. This situation persisted until Mughal Emperor Akbar's period. Hafizabad was formerly a place of some importance, and is mentioned in the Ain-i-Akbari as headquarters of a Mahal. Hafiz, the founder, was a favourite of emperor Mughal Emperor Akbar.[2]

After the decline of the Mughal Empire, the Sikh Empire invaded and occupied Hafizabad District. The Muslims faced restrictions during the Sikh rule.

In 1846 Hafizabad came under the supervision of British colonial rule, when a settlement of land revenue was effected under order from the provisional government at Lahore. The main population was located where an old church is now located. The predominantly Muslim population supported Muslim League and Pakistan Movement. After the independence of Pakistan in 1947, the minority Hindus and Sikhs migrated to India while Muhajir refugees from India settled in the Hafizabad. Most of the Muhajirs have since assimilated into the local population.

Hafizabad is situated at 800 feet (240 m) above sea-level in central Punjab. The district is located between 32°-20' north latitudes and 73°-12' and 73°-46' east longitude. The river Chenab forms the northern and northwestern boundary of the district. Hafizabad shares its borders with Sheikhupura District and Gujranwala District in the east, Mandi Bahauddin District in the north, Sargodha District in the west, Faisalabad and Chiniot District in the south. Hafizabad is situated at a distance of 303 km from the Federal Capital, Islamabad, and is 109 km away from the Provincial Capital, Lahore.[3] The district has a total area of 2,367 square kilometres and comprises two tehsils, namely Hafizabad and Pindi Bhattian. Major villages are Sukheke Mandi, Jalalpur Bhattian and Kot Hasan Khan.

The climate of the district is hot and dry during the summer and moderately cold in the winter. The maximum summer temperature in June is 50 °C (122 °F), while in winter, during January, the minimum temperature is 1 °C (34 °F). Owing to the proximity of the hills, there is more rainfall in the east than the west. The monsoon season usually starts in the middle of July and continues until September. The soil is alluvial and fertile.[3]

Rice, power, and loom industries are important industries, located in Hafizabad city. Hafizabad Power Loom industry is directly connected with Faisalabad, that is the major industrial city in Pakistan.

According to the 1998 census, the district had a population of 832,980, of which 26.73% were urban.[4]

97% of the population are Muslim, while Christians and Qadyani represent 2.9% and 0.1%, respectively. Punjabi is the dominant first language at 98.7%, while other languages spoken in the district are Urdu (0.9%), Pushto (0.3%) and Siraiki (0.1%).[3][5]

Sub campuses of Sargodha University and Virtual University are established in the city.

Hafizabad has many colleges, including Punjab College and Superior College. All these colleges are offering many masters and degree programs.

The education level is quite good as these colleges bring positions in BISE Gujranwala and University of the Punjab. Most famous secondary schools are Govt. Muslim High School and The City School.

District has nomination in National Assembly of Pakistan and Provincial Assembly of the Punjab as prior to 2017 Census of Pakistan, Hafizabad District had two national assembly and three provincial assembly seats that has been changed into one and only MNA with three MPA. NA-87 (Hafizabad) is newly created constituency that has 684,447 votes, Chaudhary Shoukat Ali won the 2018 election on PTI ticket from this constituency against Saira Afzal Tarar who was contesting from PMLN side.[6] and Mamoon Jaffar Tarar, Muzaffar Ali Sheikh and Ahsan Ansar Bhatti win respectively as member of Provincial Assembly of the Punjab.[7]