Faisalabad

Faisalabad was once part of ancient district of Jhang and Sandalbar, a 50 square kilometres (19 sq mi) part mainly consisted of thick forests and wild tribes. The tract from Shahdara to Shorekot, Sangla Hill to Toba Tek Singh, was traditionally called Sandalbar.

In 1880, a colonial officer called Captain Poham Young proposed a new town, with a design based on the Union Jack, with eight roads radiating from a large clock tower in the centre. The eight roads developed into eight separate bazaars. The construction of various artificial canals allowed the surrounding areas to be irrigated. After the founding of the town, there was rapid growth as people were invited with promises of land.

In 1895, the rail link between Wazirabad and Lyallpur was completed. In 1896, Lyallpur was given the status of a tehsil of the Jhang District and its administration were carried on in tents on the old Theh (Mound) of Pucca Mari near Tariqabad. The majestic Clock Tower was constructed out of the funds raised by the Sikh land owners, who collected it at a rate of Rs. 18 per square of land. The fund thus raised was handed over to the Town Committee which undertook to complete the project.

By 1902, the population of the town had exceeded 4,000. A considerable number of houses and shops had been constructed to cater the ordinary needs of the population. In 1903, a decision to have an agricultural college was made. In 1904, the new district of Lyallpur was constituted composed of the tehsils of Lyallpur, Samundri and Toba Tek Singh with a subtehsil at Jaranwala which later became a full tehsil. By 1906, the district headquarters began to function in Lyallpur and all the bazaars and settlements within the bounds of a ring road were nearing completion. The city began to spread outside the circular road. The Town Committee was upgraded to a Municipal Committee in 1909 and the Deputy Commissioner was appointed as the first chairman. In 1916, the grain market saw its shops surging with customers. In the same year the civil hospital was expanded. With the advent of World War II, there was an increase in political awareness across the city. Revolutionary meetings were held, fiery speeches were made, and slogans were written on walls.

In 1943, Mohammed Ali Jinnah came to Lyallpur and addressed a gathering of over 2 million in Dhobi Ghat Grounds. On March 3, 1947, when the creation of Pakistan was approved, the Muslims of Lyallpur held special prayers and distributed sweets and food among the poor.

After independence, the city of Lyallpur enjoyed considerable development, and became a major commercial and industrial centre. The population grew quickly past one million. There was an expansion of the provision of health and education in the city. In 1977, the name of the city was changed to "Faisalabad", in honour of the late King Faisal of Saudi Arabia, who was held in high regard in Pakistan. In 1985, the district was upgraded to a division with the new districts of Faisalabad, Jhang and Toba Tek Singh.