Hafizabad - City of Rice (Punjab)
Hafizabad is located at the distance of 160 km from Lahore in Punjab Province on the bank of the Chenab River. It is accessed through G. T. Road and from Gujranwala, turns left on Gujranwala-Hafizabad Road at 40km. Hafizabad is famous for the best quality of rice and center of the export quality rice industry.
Hafizabad has common boundaries with Mandi Bahauddin, Faisalabad, Chiniot, Sargodha, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, and Nankana Sahib districts. Lahore-Islamabad Motorway M-2 runs along the south side of the district. It can also be accessed from National Highway N-5 via Gujranwala-Hafizabad Road from Gujranwala district. It is also connected with railway track via Wizarabad - Faisalabad railway section.
At the time of Alexander the Great in 327 BC, the territory of the Sandal Bar was a populated area. The Mughal Emporer Akbar came here while hunting and met saint Sarmast and asked to arrange some water. Sarmast gave the milk of goats and in return Akbar wanted to fulfill his wish. Sarmast asked to build a town here for his followers. Akbar ordered to Hafiz Meerak to build a town there, so this region was named Hafizabad for the construction of the town.
Pindi Bhattian is one of the ancient towns in Pakistan. It is situated on the Lahore-Islamabad Motorway M-2 as well as it connects the Faisalabad-Multan Motorway M-3. It is town of Dulla Bhatti, who was a 16th century heroic rebel of Pakistan. He led a revolt against centralized land revenue collection scheme imposed during the reign of Emperor Akbar. He was hanged in 1599 during the rule of Emperor Akbar. He was buried in Miani Sahib Qabristan Lahore, which is largest graveyard in Lahore.
Hafizabad district is a flat alluvial plain along the Chenab River. It is famous for agriculture especially for high quality rice. More than 10% cultivated land is normally occupied for rice crop. There are several rice processing industries in the city and city of the top exporters of rice in Pakistan. The Chenab River flows along the northern boundary between Hafizabad and Mandi Bahauddin districts. The land of Hafiz is fertile due to the Chenab River as well as several canals in the district. It produces several crops such as rice, wheat, maize, sugarcane, etc.
There are numerous industries operating Hafizabad including rice and textile loom industries. Processed rice are exported to several foreign countries especially middle east countries. More than ten different high quality types of rice are produced there. Grain markets of Hafizabad and Jalalpur Bhattian are the biggest grain export centres in Pakistan. Due to connection with Faisalabad, the textile power loom industry is also growing in the district. Hafizabad is also famous for livestock farming in which cattle, sheep, goats, mules, camels, horses, and poultry are common.
Shrine of Shah Sharmast Jilal ud Din Bukhari was the saint in the time of Mughals. The Emperor Akbar and Jahagir also visited him. His tomb is located in the north of Ghari Awan graveyard in Hafizabad city.
Head Sagar Complex is located near Sagar Kalan on Head Sagar Road. It is a crossing of an irrigation canal over a link canal. It is very popular place for one-trip in Hafizabad to enjoy the siphon mechanism. There is also a sample public park and swimming pool along the canal.
The weather is much hot in the summer season, whereas it becomes cold and pleasant in winters. If someone wants to visit and enjoy various canals in Hafizabad for a day trip, then the winter season will be much better. There is much rainfall in the monsoon period starting from mid of July to September.