Lahore is the capital of the province of the Punjab. It is the second largest
city with a population of nearly 5.5 million. Lahore is
a famous historical city situated on Karachi - Peshawar railway line and G.
T. Road (Grand Trunk Road), about 1,287 km
from Karachi and about 280 km from the Capital of Pakistan, Islamabad. It
is an old city which considerably developed during
Sultanate period. It has been closely associated with the legendary traditions
of the past and has witnessed the history making
events of the ancient and modern times. The famous Lahore Resolution, which
shaped the destinies of the millions of the
Muslims of South Asia, was passed at Lahore in 1940. Lahore also has the distinction
of staging the Second Islamic Summit in
1974.
The Mughal rule greatly enhanced its cultural and social aspect. A great
many buildings, monuments and archives of Mughal
period are safely preserved in Lahore. The most significant buildings of the
Mughal period are Shahi Mosque, Shalamar
Gardens, Shahi Qila and Jahangir¹s Tomb. These buildings are the excellent
examples of the splendid architecture of the
Mughal period. Akbar the Great (1556-1605) began the construction of the magnificent
Fort of Lahore. The Lahore Fort is
one of the most striking examples of Mughal architecture. The Diwan-e-Aam,
the marble Baradari and the splendid Sheesh
Mahal, studded with glittering mirrors are treat to watch. The Badshahi Mosque,
built by Emperor Aurangzeb in 1670 is one of
the largest mosques in the world. It can accommodate nearly 100,000 worshippers
in its spacious yard to offer their prayers.
Allama Dr. Muhammad Iqbal, the poet of the East who put forward the idea of
Pakistan is buried just outside this mosque.
The Minar-i-Pakistan is situated in the famous Iqbal Park ground as the symbol
of the sacrifices and struggle of the Muslims of
the subcontinent. The Summit Minar has been erected in front of the Assembly
Chambers which adds to the beauty of Lahore.
Lahore is an important educational centre and is known as the City of Colleges
with a large number of educational institutions.
The famous and influential seat of high learning in Asia, Government College,
Lahore is situated in the heart of city. It is a
traditional institution having produced a large number of celebrated men in
all walks of life. Besides Government College,
Lahore there is the University of the Punjab, King Edward Medical College,
University of Engineering and Technology, F. C.
College, Islamia College, Kinnaird College and lot of other educational institutions
spreading the light of knowledge throughout
the country.
Lahore has been termed as the city of Gardens and historical monuments. The
historic Shalamar Garden, the Bagh-i-Jinnah and
its botanical gardens are really the fascinating spots. The botanical gardens
consists of a Zoo, a mosque and the beautiful and
rich Quaid-i-Azam library.
Lahore is a great commercial and trade centre. There are a large number of
commercial and trade markets dealing in different
types of trade and business. Like Karachi, Lahore is also a cosmopolitan city
where people of different nationalities can be
seen. It has combined the life style of east and west and presents a lively
mixture of old and new patterns of life.
There is a large number of industrial factories which are running day and
night to play their vital role in country¹s economy.
Ittefaq foundaries is one of the biggest and most important industrial unit
which has played its role commendably in stabilising
the country¹s economy. Lahore is also an important centre of journalistic
activities. A large number of newspapers, journals and
magazines are published here.
