Sargodha

Sargodha was established by the British as a canal-colony in 1903, and was initially spelt Sargoda.[15] Sargodha was badly affected by an outbreak of the bubonic plague in 1903, and experienced a milder outbreak in 1904.[16] Although it was a small town in the beginning, the British Royal Air Force built an airport here due to its strategic location.[17] The term "Sargodha" has its origin in the words "Sar" meaning "pond" and "Godha" meaning "Sadhu", which means "Pond of Godha". This city was founded by Lady Trooper by the supervision of Sir Charles Montgomery Rivaz KCSI (1845 – 7 October 1926), a colonial administrator in British India and Lieutenant-Governor of the Punjab from 1902 to 1907.[14][18]

The total population of the city was 458,440[27] according to the 1998 census. The majority of the people in the city speak Punjabi with Shahpuri dialect.[17] According to the 2017 Census of Pakistan, the population of city was recorded as 872,557 with a rise of 43.94% from 1998. The population of the metropolitan area (City District) reached 3,903,588, in which around 1 million forms the urban population.[28] The population of Sargodha Division was recorded as 8,181,499 by the 2017 Census of Pakistan.

The majority of Sargodha's economy is based on agriculture. Sargodha is considered the best citrus-producing area of Pakistan and therefore is also known as the California of Pakistan. Sargodha is largest Kinnow-producing district of the world. It produces oranges that are considered high-quality, and supplies them to the different parts of the country. These oranges are also exported to other countries.[29] Sargodha produces a large amount of wheat, cotton, rice and vegetables that are transported to other parts of country and exported to other countries.

There are also Textile mills, Rice processing plants and Nestle and Shezan juice factories.

The Sargodha Chamber of Commerce and Industry monitors industrial activity in the city and reports their findings to the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and provincial government.[30] A dry port is also under construction in Sargodha.[31]

There are also several shopping malls and trade centres with both international and national outlets. Some of them include:[32]

Mall of Sargodha under construction

Burj Ismail Mall

• Mall of Sargodha[33]
• Burj Ismail Mall[34]
• Xin Mall[35]
• Chenone Tower[36]
• Burj Huraira Mall[37]
• Al-Rehman Trade Centre[38]
• Toheed Mall[39]

The fifteen bazaars (markets) of Sargodha remain major trading zones in the city. Each of the fifteen bazaars has a particular name and is known for selling certain goods.[40][6]

• The Model Bazaar contains food court, joyland and shops of grocery and garments.
• The Urdu Bazaar contains shops of stationery and books.
• The Kachehry Bazaar contains bakeries, street food restaurants and shops of shoes, garments and general stores.
• The Amin Bazaar contains shops of fabrics, boutiques, garments and electric appliances.
• The Muslim Bazaar contains sanitary items and motorcycle repair shops.
• The Anarkali Bazaar contains shops of household items.
• The Sarafa Bazaar contains gold and jewellery shops.
• The Rail Bazaar contains fabric shops.
• The Liaquat Bazaar provides shops for new bicycles and sports cycles.
• The Faisal Bazar provides shops for spices, oil, meat and poultry.
• The Karkhana Bazaar provides shops for crockery and cutlery products.
• The Bans Bazaar supplies dairy and milk products.
• The Kabaarhi Bazaar contains shops of brokers.
• The Fruit Mandi is a fruit market.
• The Sabzi Mandi is a vegetable, meat, fish and grocery market.

Sargodha is the capital of Sargodha Tehsil. As of October 2012, the division system in Punjab Province has been restored and Sargodha became the divisional headquarters of districts Sargodha, Khushab, Mianwali and Bhakkar. Sargodha became the administrative capital of the Sargodha Division, handling over a population of about 8.1 Million.[28] The Municipal Committee of Sargodha city was upgraded into Municipal Corporation in 1981 when the population of city was increased over half a million.[41] In December 2019, Sargodha Municipal Corporation was upgraded into Metropolitan Corporation under Punjab Local Government Act 2019.[5]

Main Gate to University of Sargodha

PAF Public School

According to the census of 1998, the literacy rate of Sargodha was 67.8%, while in 2017 the literacy rate was recorded as 80.5%.[45] The city is considered the educational hub of Sargodha Division, handling a population of about 8.1 million.[28] Sargodha Division has its own Education Board for Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) Examinations. There are about four universities and numerous colleges of Medical Sciences, Law, IT, Commerce, Engineering and Intermediate Courses.

Pakistan's largest airbase, PAF Base Mushaf (formerly PAF Base Sargodha), is situated in Sargodha and hosts the headquarters of the Pakistan Air Force's Central Air Command. The airbase is also home to the Combat Commanders School (CCS), formerly the Fighter Leader's School.[66]

Sargodha Astroturf Hockey Stadium

Sargodha is home to the Sargodha Cricket Stadium.[74] Sargodha's cricket team was a first-class cricket team that represented Sargodha Division. They competed in Pakistan's first-class tournaments in 1961–62 and 2002–03. There's a sports complex adjacent to the stadium that includes gym as well as basketball, badminton and table tennis courts. Moreover, karate classes also take place regularly at the complex.

Mela Mandi Ground is a multi-use historic stadium in Sargodha. It is mostly used for cricket and football.[75] The Mela Mandi Ground was constructed to provide a vast ground for outdoor sports and activities. During March, every year (the country's spring season), several competitions are held here. Almost all Pakistani people watch these annual games.[76]

Sargodha is also home to Sargodha Astroturf Hockey Stadium, located near Mela Mandi Ground. It is home to the Sargodha District Hockey Team, and provides a reliable platform for the city's youth.[77] Galaxy Sports Complex is a renowned Sports Academy of the city.[78]

A flood-lit football ground is under construction in Company Bagh, Sargodha.

• 
  Food Street on Stadium Road, Sargodha
• 
  A local restaurant in Sargodha
• 
  A McDonald's outlet in Sargodha
• 
  KFC outlet, University Road, Sargodha

In 1966, the Government of Pakistan awarded a special flag, the Hilal-e-Istaqlal to Sargodha (also to Lahore and Sialkot) for showing severe resistance to the enemy during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 as these cities were targets of the Indian advance.[90] Every year on Defence Day (6 September), this flag is hoisted in these cities in recognition of the will, courage and perseverance of their people.[91]

• Wazir Agha, Urdu Scholar
• Rafiq Anjum, actor
• Imtiaz Bhatti, former Ambassador / High Commissioner of Pakistan
• Rubina Feroze Bhatti, human rights activistà
• Aizaz Cheema, cricketer
• Chaudhry Anwar Ali Cheema, politician, PML-Q
• Hameed Gul, former ISI Chief
• Mohammad Hafeez, cricketer
• Farhat Hashmi, Islamic Scholar
• Chaudhary Ghias Ahmed Mela, politician, PML-Q
• Ali Haider Noor Khan Niazi, politician
• Feroz Khan Noon, former Prime Minister Pakistan
• Anwer Ali Noon, former Parliamentarian of Pakistan and army Officer
• Amjad Ali Noon, former Ambassador / High Commissioner of Pakistan
• Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, Amir Jama'at-ud-Da'wah
• Bakht Singh (1903-2000), prominent Christian leader and church planter, especially in India and Pakistan -- born in nearby Joiya village, raised in Sargodha where his father Jawahar Mall owned a factory[92]