Punjab (Pakistan)

[[File:Punjab banner.jpg|1280px|Halal Travel to Punjab}} International border at Wagah - evening flag lowering ceremony - The evening flag lowering ceremony at the India-Pakistan International Border near Wagah

Punjab (Punjabi/Urdu: پنجاب) is one of the four provinces of Pakistan, and home to over half the nation's population. It is the second largest province in area after Balochistan, and is the most developed and prosperous province. The name Punjab was introduced by the Mughals in the 17th century CE and is a combination of the Persian words panj (five) and āb (water), thus the (land of) five rivers. It is the only province that touches every other province of Pakistan.

During the partition of British India in 1947 and the region of Punjab was divided along religious lines. Consequently and the eastern portion became a state in India that is also called Punjab (India) | Punjab.

Regions of Punjab (Pakistan)

Regions of Punjab

Northern Punjab (Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore) Most visited part of Punjab. Location of the capital territory Islamabad and an exotic popular hill station. Contains the Pakistan's second largest and important historical and cultural centre of the nation and Sikh gurdwara built in the 19th century, a popular pilgrimage site for Sikhs from all over the world.

Southern Punjab (Multan, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rahim Yar Khan) Souther part is most famous for its mangoes, tombs and beautiful masjids and encompasses some part of That Desert.

Cities

Jashn-e-kharian - Various festivals in rural Punjab

• Islamabad — the capital of Pakistan
• Lahore — the provincial capital, and Pakistan's cultural capital
• Bahawalpur — home to one of the few natural safari parks in Pakistan, Lal Suhanra National Park
• Faisalabad — a textile hub of Pakistan
• Nankana Sahib - Holy place of Sikhism
• Gujranwala — the city of wrestlers, also known for its electrical, ceramics and textile industry
• Multan — a must stop for tourists, most famous for its wonderful mangoes, friendly people and pottery, also lots of tombs and beautiful masjids
• Rawalpindi — military headquarters
• Sargodha — home of the main Pakistan Air Force base
• Sialkot — famous for its sports and leather industry
• Wah Cantt

GCU Tower in Lahore - Government College University, Lahore Badshahi Masjid at night on July 20 2005 - Badshahi Masjid in Lahore

More Destinations

• Khewra Salt Mine – the world's second largest salt mine & a tourist complex
• Jhelum|Rohtas Fort
• Cholistan desert
• Nur Mahal in Bahawalpur
• Sahiwal|Harappa – Indus Valley Civilization
• Taxila – Gandhara civilization
• Takht-i-Bahi – Buddhist monastery
• Hasanabdal – Sikh holy site
• Nankana Sahib – Sikh holy site

Punjab (Pakistan) Halal Travel Guide

Punjab is Pakistan's second largest province at 205,344 km² (79,284 sq mi) after Balochistan and is at the northwestern edge of the geologic Indian plate in South Asia. The capital and largest city is Lahore which was the historical capital of the wider Punjab region. Nearly 60% of Pakistan's population lives in the Punjab. It is the nation's only province that touches every other province; it also surrounds the federal enclave of the national capital city at Islamabad.This geographical position and a large multi-ethnic population strongly influence Punjab's outlook on national affairs and induces in Punjab a keen awareness of the problems of the Pakistan's other important provinces and territories.

Local Language in Punjab (Pakistan)

The major language spoken in the Punjab is Punjabi and the provincial language. Educated people also generally understand and speak Urdu and English. In the South, Seraiki phrasebook|Seraiki is the main language.

The most common languages are Punjabi and Urdu. For the use of English there is a big diversity between different areas of province. Education is generally high in big cities and a great many of residents understand and speak a form of English. You will not have any problem communicating in English in major cities. At most places, English, as most people you will encounter can communicate in broken English at the very least.

Travel to Punjab (Pakistan)

Lahore and Islamabad have direct connecting Flights to numerous international destinations across Asia and the Greater Middle East and Europe. There are buses and trains between Delhi and Lahore. From Kashgar, China, you can travel by road via the Karakoram Highway up to Gilgit for about US$50 and from Gilgit there are direct buses to Islamabad for about US$5 but 17 hours of journey on harrowingly winding roads.

Shalimar garden2 - Shalimar Gardens

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Punjab (Pakistan)

Lahore Islamabad and Sialkot are the main gateways to Outside Punjab by air. However and there are 134 airfields in Pakistan.

• Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore has a terminal for international arrivals and departures. Many airlines operate to the airport including Emirates, Etihad Airways, Mahan Air, Qatar-Airways, Gulf Air, Singapore-Airlines, Pakistan International (PIA), Saudi Arabian Airlines, Thai-Airways, Kuwait Airways, Uzbekistan Airways and over four private airlines from Pakistan.
• Benazir Bhutto International Airport There are many airlines operating into Islamabad including many of the above with Ariana Afghan Airlines, British Airways and China Southern Airlines. The only problem is that the airport is also used by Government officials and for arrivals from foreign diplomats so the airport may shut down as security is increased so flights are delayed.
• New Islamabad International Airport - opened May 2018.

Muslim Friendly Rail Holidays in Punjab (Pakistan)

Punjab has train links with its neighbour the Republic of India to the east. The Samjhauta Express is the more common, running on Tuesdays and Fridays between Delhi and Lahore via the Attari/Wagah border crossing. After terrorist attacks on the train, which caused many a casualty and strained relationships between the two neighbors, it is strongly advised that you take taxis or buses to and from the border instead.

By car

From ancient times people have been travelling through Punjab using the Grand Trunk Road that run through Pakistan and into the South Asia|Indian subcontinent. It is a rewarding but time consuming way to see this part of the world. New highways have been developed and the nation is due for an expansion in its highway network. A world-class motorway connects the cities of Lahore, Islamabad and Faisalabad

Punjab is connected to China through the Karakoram Highway, a modern feat of engineering that traverses a remarkably scenic route through the Karakoram and Himalayan mountains. Which is about to be expanded from current 10-m wide to 30-m because of the increase in trade traffic due to Gwader port opening.

Travel on a Bus in Punjab (Pakistan)

From India: While there is international service running to Lahore from Delhi it is just as fast, much more flexible, and much cheaper to take the journey by stringing together local transport and crossing the Wagah border on foot.

From China: While there is international service running to Islamabad from Kashgar it is just as fast, much more flexible, and much cheaper to take the journey by stringing together local transport and crossing the border on foot.

How to get around in Punjab (Pakistan)

By plane, train, taxi, bus.

From ancient times people have been travelling through Punjab using the Grand Trunk Road that run through Pakistan and into the Indian subcontinent. It's a rewarding but time-consuming way to see this part of the world. New highways have been developed and the nation is due for an expansion in its highway network. A world-class motorway connects the cities of Lahore, Islamabad and Faisalabad

What to see in Punjab (Pakistan)

The province is home to many well-known historical sites including the Shalimar Gardens and the Badshahi Mosque, and the ruins of the ancient city of Harrapa. The Anarkali Market and Jahangir's Tomb are prominent in the city of Lahore as is the Lahore Museum, while the ancient city of Taxila in the northwest was once a major centre of Buddhism. Many important Sikh shrines are in the (Pakistani) portion of Punjab, including the birthplace of the first Guru: Guru Nanak (born at Nankana Sahib), you can visit the Wagah border parade it is called the beating retreat ceremony between the IBSF and the (Pakistani) Rangers. There is also the largest salt mine in Asia situated the Khewra Salt Mines.

Halal Restaurants in Punjab (Pakistan)

WheatFieldsPandjab - Wheat Fields

• Tea (or Chai as it is referred to in Pakistan) is popular throughout the nation.
• Both black and green tea (Sabz chai or qahvah) are common and are traditionally drunk with cardamom and lots of sugar. Lemon is optional but recommended with green tea.
• Kashmiri chai is a milky tea with almonds and nuts added to give additional flavour. This tea is very popular during weddings and in the cold season.
• Coffee is also available in all major cities.

In the warmer southern region, sweet drinks are readily available throughout the day. Look for street vendors that have fruits (real or decorations) hanging from their roofs. Also, some milk/yogurt shops serve lassi. Ask for meethi lassi for a sweet yogurt drink and you can also get a salty lassi which tastes good if you are having "bhindi" in food or some other rich dish. There is also a sweet drink called Mango Lassi which is very rich and thick, made with yogurt, mango pulp, and pieces of mango.

Drink sealed bottled water, not the water from local taps. Water from local taps will be infected and it is highly likely you will end up ill.

Stay Safe

The people of Punjab are hospitable. They tend to welcome any foreigner very warmly.

For your own safety it is strongly recommended not to attend any rallies, protests or religious gatherings. Security wise, Punjab is generally safe but crime exists in big cities.

In an emergency, call police by 15 from any landline phone, to get an ambulance, dial 115 from any landline or mobile phone. If you find yourself in serious trouble and need any type of emergency rescue or help then feel free to dial 1122.

Travel Next

• Azad Kashmir
• Gilgit-Baltistan

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