CITY OF EAGLES

SARGOHA:

Urdu: سرگودھا) is a city in the Sargodha District of Punjab province, Pakistan.

LOCATION:

Sargodha is located in the northeast of Pakistan. It is the eleventh largest city of Pakistan and also known as Pakistan's best citrus-producing area. It is an agricultural trade centre with various industries.[1] Sargodha is one of three planned cities in Pakistan, the other two are Faisalabad and Islamabad.

Pakistan's largest Airbase, PAF Base Mushaf (formerly PAF Base Sargodha), is situated in Sarghoda 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, an elite training facility for training Pakistan Air Force pilots in fighter tactics and weapons

IT IS ON:

Coordinates: 32°05′N 73°42′E / 32.08°N 73.7°E / 32.08; 73.7

Country Pakistan

Province Punjab

District Sargodha

Government

- Administrator

Population 586,922

Time zone PST (UTC+5)

Calling code 048

Number of towns 1

Number of Union councils 22

HISTORY:


Sargodha was a small town at the beginning of the British Empire but, due to its geographical location, the British Royal Air Force built an airport there. It took on greater importance after the Independence of Pakistan for the Pakistan Air Force. Shahpur, which is now a tehsil of Sargodha District, was the district at that time. Most parts of the tehsil Sillanwali and Kirana Hills region were part of Jhang district and were included later during the British Raj in the Sargodha district.



The 1965 war with India on September 6, 1965 meant the city was a prime target for India, due to the city close proximity with the neighbouring rival. The citizens of Sargodha supported the Pakistan Army against the advancing of the Indian Army into Pakistan. In 1966, recognising this bravery, the Government of Pakistan awarded the city of Sargodha as well as Sialkot and Lahore with the award of Hilal-E-Istaqlal.



The city also has a Pakistan Air Force base within its city. The PAF Base Sargodha now known as PAF Base Mushaf, named after the late Air Chief Marshal Mushaf Ali Mir, a former Chief of Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force. The strategic location of the base has allowed the Air Force to carry out experimental work within the city.



It is located 172 kilometres northwest of Lahore, in Sargodha District. It lies about 30 miles from the M2 Motorway which connects Lahore and Islamabad. it is connected to motorway M2 by several interchanges at different locations. Sargodha is roughly 60km from Faisalabad due South east. Directly east connected by the M2 motorway is Lahore and the route to Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Due east is the city of Jhang and towards the west the city of Mianwali and the Chashma Barrage. Dera Ismail Khan is located 50 km from the city and towards the south west region from the city.



Sargodha mainly comprises flat fertile plains, which are the ideal conditions for cultivation of the land. There are a few small hills on Sargodha - Faisalabad Road. River Jhelum flows on the Western and Northern sides and river Chenab on the eastern side of the city. The city has extreme hot and cold climate. The maximum temperature touches 50C in the summer while the minimum temperature recorded is as low as freezing point in the winter.

ECONOMY:
Kinnows (Mandarin orange) are a speciality fruit produced in high amounts in the citySargodha is largey an agricultural and industrial city. The vast fields on the city have allowed the farmers to develop a range of crops and animal breeding programs. Some of the main crops include citrus, wheat, rice, and sugar cane which are exported to the other cities as well as internationally. Citrus fruits such as oranges (locally known as kinnows), Guavas and Mangoes are main fruits grown in the district. As well as Jaman, Pears, Dates, Pomegranate, Phalsa and Almond are also grown in minor quantities. Turnip, Onion, Cauliflower, Potatoes and Tomatoes are main vegetables grown in the district. The main livestock for the city include goats, sheep, buffaloes and cattle.



Even with agricultural goods being the major income generator for the city as well as the district, the economy and industry has been diversifying itself to generate more demand for other goods which can be manufactured and produced in the city. Other industrial markets include: Beverage, manufacture of diesel engines, foundry products, glass products, leather footwear, oil mills, pesticides, insecticides, poultry feed, plastics, readymade garments, tannery as well as textiles.



EDUCATION:

Sargodha has several institutions of higher education and several research centres and Local Sargodha University:



Punjab College Sargodha

Fazaia Model Inter College, PAF Base Mushaf

University of Sargodha

Sargodha Medical College, Sargodha

Connoisseur Grammar School

PAF Public School Sargodha

Fazaia Inter College

Army Public School and College Sargodha Cantt.

Allama Iqbal Open University

Al Suffah Girls College

Northwestern Theological Seminary

Progressive Public School & College

Superior College Sargodha

ITM College Of Commerce Sargodha

LANGUAGES:

Punjabi is the main language of the people. Urdu is also spoken.



MEDIA:

Express News (Pakistan)

Bureau Office: Express News/The Daily Express/Express 24/7

FM-96 Sunrise Pakistan

Radio Pakistan Sargodha (FM 93 MHz)

Club Road Sargodha.

FM Bhalwal (FM 104 MHz)

Pakistan Television