Introduction

Hello

Day Greetings Steemians!

I am Muhammad Waqas. I turned 26 this March (Pisces) and belong to Faisalabad, the third most populous city of Pakistan. Today's talk is all about the place I was born and raised in, my native place!. "Faisalabad" has grown to become a major industrial and distribution center because of its central location in the region and connecting roads, rails, and air transportation. It has been referred to as the "Manchester of Pakistan". It is the center of the textile industry in Pakistan, contributing to half of Pakistan's total textile exports as well as the manufacturing and supplying base of the local textiles.

Not limited only to textile manufacturing and trade, the surrounding countryside, irrigated by the lower Chenab River, produces cotton, wheat, sugarcane, vegetables and fruits. The city is an industrial centre with major railway repair yards, engineering works, and mills that process sugar, flour, and oil seed. It is a major producer of super phosphates, cotton and silk textiles, hosiery, dyes, industrial chemicals, beverages, clothing, pulp and paper, printing, agricultural equipment, and ghee (clarified butter). The Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry monitors industrial activity in the city and reports their findings to the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and provincial government. The city hosts a major dry port and an international airport.

A glimpse of the city on Google Maps:

Lets Begin With The City Center : "The Clock Tower"

The Faisalabad Clock Tower is a clock tower in Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan, and is one of the oldest monuments still standing in its original state from the period of the British Rule. It was built by the British, when they ruled much of the South Asia during the nineteenth century.

The foundation of majestic Clock Tower was laid on 14 November 1903 by the British lieutenant governor of Punjab Sir Charles Riwaz and the biggest local landlord belonging to the Mian Family of Abdullahpur. The fund was collected at a rate of Rs. 18 per square of land. The fund thus raised was then handed over to the Municipal Committee which undertook to complete the project.

The locals refer to it as "Ghanta Ghar" گھنٹہ گھر in Urdu which translates into Hour House in English. It is located in the older part of the city. The clock is placed at the center of the eight markets that from a bird's-eye view look like the Union Jack flag of the United Kingdom. This special layout still exists today and the can be viewed through Google Maps. The eight markets (bazaars) each have its unique trading merchandise. The bazaars are named to the direction it open towards and still today, each of them remain a major trading zone in the city. Every bazaar has a special name and is known for selling certain goods. The details are summarized below.

Katchery Bazaar: Opening towards central Courts (Katchery: کچہری) is known for its mobile phone and accessory market.
Rail Bazar: Leading to the train terminal is known gold and cloth trading.
Bhawana Bazaar: supplies electrical and electronic goods.
Jhang Bazaar: supplies fish, meat, vegetables and fruits.
Aminpur Bazaar: supplies stationery and interior décor.
Kharkhana Bazaar: is known for herbal medicines.
Gol Bazaar: contains dry fruit, as well as wholesale groceries.
Chiniot Bazaar: is known for Medicine, Home Textiles & Packaging.
Montgomery Bazaar: (also known as Sutar Mandi) is Asia's biggest yarn market.

During festivals of Eid and Independence Day the mayor (nazim) of Faisalabad delivers a speech at this site and hangs the flag at full mast. Clock Tower or Ghanta Ghar in this regard is the most recognized building of Faisalabad. It is the center of all the activities that happen in the city. Whether its the national day, a political activity, any civil or religious day, or any other, hundreds and thousands of people gather and celebrate the respective occasion. The central rally of Eid e Milad and biggest procession of Moharram, both are also held at Ghanta Ghar each year.

A Crowded Rally

Religious Gathering

The importance of this iconic tower is so much that one of the leading politician of 1960s famously drew parallel between the presidential system of General Ayub to this clock tower because like Ghanta Ghar which is visible throughout the city, presidential system of General Ayub made him of equal prominence.

Read more about me and my city in my upcoming articles. Any further questions are warmly welcomed. You can write directly to me at: [email protected]

Stay Blessed