Punjab, Pakistan
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| Punjab, Pakistan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Punjab |
| Native name | پنجاب |
| Settlement type | Province |
| Coordinates | 31, N, 72, E |
| Seat type | Capital |
| Seat | Lahore |
| Largest city | Lahore |
| Government type | Provincial Assembly |
| Leader title | Governor |
| Leader name | Muhammad Baligh Ur Rehman |
| Leader title1 | Chief Minister |
| Leader name1 | Maryam Nawaz |
| Leader title2 | Legislature |
| Leader name2 | Provincial Assembly |
| Area total km2 | 205,344 |
| Population total | 127,688,922 |
| Population as of | 2023 |
| Population density km2 | auto |
| Population rank | 1st |
| Demographics type1 | Languages |
| Demographics1 title1 | Official |
| Demographics1 info1 | Punjabi, Urdu |
| Demographics1 title2 | Provincial |
| Demographics1 info2 | Punjabi |
| Timezone | PKT |
| Utc offset | +5 |
| Blank name sec1 | HDI (2021) |
| Blank info sec1 | 0.737 · 1st of 4 |
| Blank name sec2 | GDP (2023) |
| Blank info sec2 | $234 billion |
| Blank1 name sec2 | GDP rank |
| Blank1 info sec2 | 1st |
| Website | punjab.gov.pk |
Punjab, Pakistan is the most populous and agriculturally significant province of Pakistan. Its capital, Lahore, is a historic cultural and economic hub, home to landmarks like the Badshahi Mosque and the Lahore Fort. The province is defined by the fertile plains of the Indus River and its tributaries, including the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej, and Beas, which have supported major civilizations for millennia. As the political and administrative heart of the country, it plays a dominant role in national affairs.
Geography
The landscape is predominantly an alluvial plain formed by the Indus River and its five major tributaries, the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej, and Beas. To the north, the province is bounded by the Margalla Hills and the Salt Range, while the Cholistan Desert extends across the southern districts like Bahawalpur. Major man-made features include the massive Tarbela Dam on the Indus and the extensive network of canals stemming from the Indus Basin Irrigation System. The climate ranges from hot summers in cities like Multan to cooler winters in the northern reaches near Jhelum.
History
This region has been a cradle of ancient civilizations, including the Indus Valley Civilization at sites like Harappa. It witnessed the rise and fall of empires such as the Achaemenid Empire, the Maurya Empire under Ashoka, and the Delhi Sultanate. The Mughal Empire left an indelible mark, with Emperor Akbar establishing his court at Lahore and constructing the Lahore Fort. Following the decline of the Sikh Empire under Ranjit Singh, the British Raj annexed the area after the Second Anglo-Sikh War. The All-India Muslim League, led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, garnered strong support here during the Pakistan Movement, and the province was partitioned during the Independence of Pakistan in 1947, leading to large-scale migration.
Demographics
With a population exceeding 127 million, it is the most populous subunit in Pakistan. The majority of residents are Punjabis and speak Punjabi, while Urdu serves as the lingua franca. Significant communities include the Saraiki-speaking population in the south and the Potohari speakers in the north. Religiously, the population is overwhelmingly Muslim, with a vast majority following the Hanafi school of Sunni Islam; there are also small communities of Christians and Ahmadis. Major urban centers, besides Lahore, include Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Multan, and Gujranwala.
Economy
It is the agricultural powerhouse of Pakistan, producing the bulk of the nation's wheat, cotton, and sugarcane, largely from the fertile lands of the Rechna Doab and Bari Doab. Faisalabad is a global center for textile manufacturing, while Gujranwala is known for light engineering and Sialkot for sports goods and surgical instruments. The province also has a growing services sector centered in Lahore, which hosts major financial institutions like the State Bank of Pakistan's headquarters and the Lahore Stock Exchange. Key industrial projects are often linked to the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor.
Culture
The region is renowned as the heartland of Punjabi culture, expressed through vibrant traditions like bhangra dance, Punjabi folklore, and the annual Basant festival in Lahore. It has a rich literary heritage, from the spiritual poetry of Baba Farid and Bulleh Shah to modern writers like Faiz Ahmed Faiz. Lahore is a major center for Lollywood film industry, television drama production, and classical music, hosting institutions like the National College of Arts. Culinary specialties such as nihari, saag, and makki di roti are iconic.
Government and politics
The province is governed by a parliamentary system based in Lahore, with a Governor as the ceremonial head of state and a Chief Minister as the head of government|government. The unicameral Provincial Assembly is housed in the Punjab Assembly Building. Historically, political power has alternated between national parties like the Pakistan and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, with influential political families such as the Sharif family wielding significant influence. The province's administration is a key prize in national elections, given its large share of seats in the National Assembly of Pakistan.
Category:Provinces of Pakistan