Sargodha
Sargodha (Urdu: سرگودھا) is located in Punjab, Pakistan.
Etymology
There are several theories as to the origins of the name. It may be derived from the Sanskrit 'svargadhaama', meaning 'heavenly abode'[citation needed]. Other theories suggest that the name Sargodha is derived from that of a Hindu loca, Godha.[citation needed] Also it is believed that there is an old pond in the middle of the town where an old hindu monk or sadhu (GODHA) used to live. Well in Hindi language the word for pond is "SER" . Since the town had modest population people would refer the place as SERGODHA, the place where that famous Sadhu resided next to the pond.
A Bit from History
Sargodha is one of three "planned cities"in Pakistan(other two are *Faisalabad and (Capital of Pakistan) *Islamabad) Just over a century back, there was a well owned by a hindu named "Goodha",well was known as "Gool Khuuh"(round well), and travellers used it as a resting place. When the wheel of time turned the well was eventually out of use and a market evolved around it There is a market at the place where "Gool Khuuh" used to exist and a grand mosque above the market and it is known as "Goal Chowk", which is the center of downtown Sargodha today. Sargodha was a small town in early British Raj but due to its geophysical location British Royal Air Force set up an airport here which took greater importance after partition for the Pakistan Air Force. Shahpur which is now a tehsil of district sargodha was the district at that time. Most part of the tehsil Sillanwali and Kirana Pahari region were part of district Jhang and were included later during British Raj in district Sargodha.
Demographics
Sargodha is the eighth largest city of Pakistan, 175 kilometres north-west of Lahore, in Sargodha District. It is called "Shaheenõ Ka Shahar" (City of Falcons), having Pakistan Air Force Operational and Central Command Air Base, and an Army Garrison. It is an agricultural city, wheat, rice, and sugarcane being its main crops. Also it is famous for its Keno oranges.
Divisional Headquarter
Sargodha is in fact a divisional headquarter of the Sargodha Division. Sargodha division has following districts:
Tehsils of Sargodha
Sargodha District is further divided into following major Tehsils.
- Sargodha
- Sillanwali
- Bhalwal
- Sahiwal
- Kot Momin
- Shahpur Sadar
Sargodha is connected to other major cities of Pakistan by motorways through Pindi-bhatian Interchange for Lahore and Bhalwal Interchange for Islamabad/Peshawar. Recently, local radio transmissions at FM band have also started.
Communications
Dialing Code: NWD 048 ISD +92 48 xxx xxxx or 92 451 xx xxxx (old)
Postal Code: 40100
Electronic Media
- Radio Pakistan Sargodha (FM Band)
- Pakistan Television Islamabad Center teresterial transmissions at VHF and UHF band routed from Sakesar Rebroadcast center.
- Cable Tv transmissions via cable service providers.
Print Media
Local News papers include:
- Daily Express
- Daily Tijarat
Internet service Providers
- Earth2link Wireless and internet provider compony
- WOL World Online
- Brain net
- Paknet
- Wave Net
- Cybernet
- Pioneer
Mobile Phone Operators
- Paktel GSM
- Instaphone
- Mobilink GSM (PMCL)
- Ufone(PTML)
- Warid Telecom (WaridTel)
- Telenor (Telenor Pakistan)
WLL Operators
- PTCL-V (Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd.)
- Worldcall Wireless (Worldcall Telecom Ltd.)
- GO CDMA (TeleCard Ltd.)
Schools and colleges
There are many schools and colleges in Sargodha, including:
- University of Sargodha (formerly Government College, Sargodha)
- Ambala College
- Government Degree College for Women
- Government College for Women, Farooq Colony
- Govt. Comprehensive High School
- Govt Ambala Muslim High School
- Progressive Public School/College.
- F.G. Public School, Mela mandi Road
- Suffah College
- Combat Commanders School of PAF equivalent to the TOPGUN.
- The PAF (Pakistan Air Force) College, also known as PAF Public School
- Fazaia Inter College Mushaf (Formely Air Base Intermediate College Sargodha,ABICS)
- Fazaia Model Inter College, PAF Base Mushaf
- Divisional Public School
- Army Public School and College
- Punjab College of Information and Technology,
- Quid-e-Azam Law College
- Misali Ravian High School(Residential) Misali Ravian Science Academy
- Logix College of Information, Technology and Business Sciences
- Govt. Model High School No. 1.
- Govt. Central Model High School New Satellite
- F.G. Model School New Cantt.
- Presentation Convent High School
- Punjab College of Commerce
- Beacon House School System
- Chughtai School System
- ELYSIUM HALL {Satellite Town}
- Superior Science College (Faisalabad Road)
- Al-Basharah College of Technology (City Road
- Govt.Polytechnic Institute P.A.F Road
- Govt. postgraduate college of commerce(Faisalabad road)
- The Punjab Girls High School (Qainchi More)
- Superior Girls College
- Superior Grammar School
- Islamic alta vista education system
- ACME college Faisalabad road
- Sani Academy School System(Satellite Town)
- Shiblee college of Commrec Science
Hospitals and medical centres
Basic health facilities in Sarghoda are provided both by the Government and the private sector. District Headquarters Hospital is the major government hospital, while PAF Hospital and CMH are also mojor hospitals of the city. Sargodha is also famous as a City of Hospitals because there are lots of Hospitals provideing health facilities. Major Private Hospital Includes
- Anwar Hospital
- Ibrahim Hospital
- Sadiq Hospital
- Sarwar Hospital
- Fatima Hospital
- Al-Abbas Hospital
- Munir Hospital
- Awab Hospital
- Allah Tawakal Free Hospital
- Niazi Medical Complex
- Cheema Heart Center
- Niazi Hospital
- Cantonment Board Health center sonypora Road
- sahara clinic railway road sargodha
- Shafi Hospital[Zaheer Laser Centre)
Transportation
Inter city transport on different routes is available in form of auto-rikshaws, Sargodha Transport Network(STN) vans and buses. For intracity, A/C buses and railways is available. Commercial flights are not operated at airport/air base.
Daewoo bus service is also available here to go to all over the country except Karachi. Al-Shahbaz bus service is available here to to to Rawalpinid & Islamabad
Nishan-e- Istiqlal
A title Nishan-e- Istiqlal was given to three cities of Punjab in the Indo Pak war of 1965 against showing severe resistance in front enemy. These cities included Sargodha, Lahore and Sialkot.
Shaheenon Ka Shahar (A city of Eagles)
Sargodha city is also called a city of Eagles or 'Shaheenon Ka Shahhar'. Most people think that it is because of the second largest Pakistan Airforce Airbase. Most of the 1965 India Pakistan Air war was fought over Sargodha city and hence this name was officially adopted. Some people think that M.M.Alam flew his fighter plane from Sargodha base & detroyed nearly 12 Fighter jets of India during the Air war.
Presidential Awards
Only two people from Sargodha have been Conferred upon with the presidential awards by the PRESIDENT of PAKISTAN. They are Prof. Ghulam Jilani Asghar and Prof.M.H.Musaddiq for their flawless contribution in the field of education.
Citrus Fruit
Sargodha is famous for production of citrus fruit "Kinnu","Malta","Grapefruit"etc. Soil is very receptive to citrus fruit and sargodha arguably produces the best quality"kinnu"(type of orange)in the world. Per acre yield of "Kinnu"is arguably the highest in the world. Demand for "kinnu"of Sargodha is highest in domestic fruit markets, especially from Tehsil "Sillanwali"followed by a narrow margin by "Kinnu" of "Kot momin".
Recreation and Sports
Although recreational activities are limited, but two major recreational parks "Joy Land" in Jinnah Garden (Company Bagh) and Rehmat A Park in Satellite Town provide a space for enjoyment and recreation. A cricket stadium adjacent to University was developed and ODI match between PAK & W. Indies was played here in 1980's but according to the new rules of ICC it is not suitable for today's international cricket. The city is also famous for large scale sports activity in cricket,hockey, kabaddi and volley ball. Muhammad Hafeez(Chanda), Naveed Latif & Misbah-ul-Haq also belongs to Sargodha. An annual seasonal spring festival "Mela Mandi", a tradition of Punjab is organized during month of march.
Shopping in Sargodha
A decade before, shopping in Sargodha was limited to the bazaars like 'Ameen Bazaar','Kachehri Bazaar','Urdu Bazaar',Anarkali Bazaar' etc. But now, the city's development is in progress and this has also provided the citizens with a good scope of shopping by the establishment of shopping centers like
- Pace
- Shaheen Shopping Mall
- Aziz sons
- Paragon
- Jaspal Plaza
- Q-mart
- Trust Plaza (MALIK MOBILES)
Many shopping centers like 'Al-Rehman Plaza','Bajwa City Centre' and 'Radiant Shopping Centre' are under construction. Latest variety, specially of fabrics at reasonable attractive prices is quoteable. Daily consumables and products are easily available.
Car showrooms
For new cars booking
- Toyota Sargodha Motors, Lahore Road.
- Suzuki Falcon Motors, Lahore Road.
- Hyundai Sargodha Motors, University Road, near Daewoo Bus Terminal.
Hotels and Restaurants
Hotelling, that was not a vogue in Sargodha some years ago, has now become a part and parcel of the citizens' lives today. The list of some four star hotels of Sargodha goes as follow
- Kirana Bar(Restaurant)
- Q's Restaurant
- PC(Pak Continental)
- AFC
- Al Maida
- Grace Multi Purpose Complex (mainly Marriage hall)
Some of the famous restaurants are
- Aunti Iffat ka Dhabba
- Zam Zam Snack Bar
- Style Broast
- Pizza Land
- Huts
- Pizza Club
- Saltish
- Pizza Heaven
- TASKEEN CAFE
- Pizza Classic
- Cakes n Bakes
- Lahore Broast
- Chaudhry Saleem Hotel (shaheen hotel)
- Famous Chakian Ki Dall
- Tufail Hotel known as Tufail Chaanpoon waalay (chowk block # 12)
- Faqeeria ka choolay
- Malik k choolay
- Amratsari Kulcha House
- Tifay ka cholay
News and Events Update
News and events for current week in the city in brief.
->No new activity reported so far.
- [rao sons station]