Kharian Cantonment (

Urdu Urdu (;"Urdu"
''

Punjabi: ) or Kharian Cantt is one of the largest Cantonment (Army bases) in

Pakistan Pakistan ( ur, ), officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan ( ur, , label=none), is a country in South Asia. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by population, fifth-most populous country, with a population of almost 24 ...

. It is located near

Kharian Kharian ( ur, ), is a city located within the Gujrat District of the Punjab province of Pakistan. Kharian is the headquarters of Kharian Tehsil. According to 2017 Census of Pakistan, it has a population of about 87,419. It is known as Litt ...

city, in the

Gujrat district Gujrat ( Punjabi and ur, ), is a district of Punjab Province in Pakistan. It is bounded on the northeast by Mirpur, on the northwest by the River Jhelum, which separates it from Jhelum District, on the east and southeast by the Chenab Ri ...

Punjab Punjab (; Punjabi: پنجاب ; ਪੰਜਾਬ ; ; also romanised as ''Panjāb'' or ''Panj-Āb'') is a geopolitical, cultural, and historical region in South Asia, specifically in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent, comprising ...

province. This cantonment is located in the Gujrat District of the Punjab province in

. It is located about 130 kilometers northwest of

Lahore Lahore ( ; pnb, ; ur, ) is the second most populous city in Pakistan after Karachi and 26th most populous city in the world, with a population of over 13 million. It is the capital of the province of Punjab where it is the largest city. ...

, the capital of the Punjab province. Kharian Cantt is home to a number of military installations and is a hub for the Pakistani Army. The town is also home to a number of schools, hospitals, and other amenities.

History

Construction of Kharian Cantonment began late in 1956. Roads, Railroad lines, fuel-storage tanks, a sewage system and treatment plant were constructed for First Five Thousand Troops. The construction work was slowed down in October-November 1956 due to Suez Crises. By the end of 1957, Contractor had completed over 350 buildings and had work pending for another two fiscal years to complete the facilities for troops. The Large Army Base at Kharian called for a multiyear project to build facilities on 4000 Acre area to adjust 15000 Troops of Pakistan Armored Division. USACE (U.S Army Corps of Engineers) constructed new facilities by the start of 1958 and provided space for Five Thousand Troops. The work programmed for FY 1959 projected facilities for another Five Thousand Soldiers. Construction of Kharian Cantt was successfully completed with the cooperation of USACE in 1959. It became one of the largest cantonment in Pakistan and second largest cantonment in the World.

Facts

* The town is located in the

Potohar Plateau The Pothohar Plateau ( ur, ) is a plateau in north-eastern Pakistan, located between Indus River and the Jhelum River, forming the northern part of Punjab. Geography Potohar Plateau is bounded on the east by the Jhelum River, on the west by the ...

region of

, which is known for its dry, hot summers and cold winters. * Kharian Cantt is located near a number of tourist attractions, including the Katas Raj Temple complex and the city of Lahore. * The town is known for its lush gardens and parks, which provide a welcome respite from the hot summer temperatures. Some popular parks in Kharian Cantt include the Model Park and the Children's Park. * Kharian Cantt is home to a number of shopping centers and markets, where you can find a variety of goods and products. The town is also home to a number of restaurants and cafes, offering a range of local and international cuisines. * The town is well-connected to other parts of Pakistan by road and rail. The Lahore-Peshawar

Motorway A controlled-access highway is a type of highway that has been designed for high-speed vehicular traffic, with all traffic flow—ingress and egress—regulated. Common English terms are freeway, motorway and expressway. Other similar terms i ...

passes through Kharian Cantt, and the town is also served by a

railway station Rail transport (also known as train transport) is a means of transport that transfers passengers and goods on wheeled vehicles running on rails, which are incorporated in tracks. In contrast to road transport, where the vehicles run on a pre ...

. * Kharian Cantt is home to a number of schools and educational institutions, including the

Army Public School Army Public School may refer to: * Indian Army Public Schools * Army Public Schools & Colleges System Army Public Schools & Colleges System or APSACS is one of the largest educational institutions of Pakistan which provides education till inte ...

and College and the Government Higher Secondary School. * The town is home to a number of military units, including the

Pakistan Army The Pakistan Army (, ) is the Army, land service branch of the Pakistan Armed Forces. The roots of its modern existence trace back to the British Indian Army that ceased to exist following the partition of India, Partition of British India, wh ...

's 6th Armoured Division and the 31st Artillery Division. * Kharian Cantt is located in the Gujrat District, which is known for its agricultural production. The district is a major producer of

wheat Wheat is a grass widely cultivated for its seed, a cereal grain that is a worldwide staple food. The many species of wheat together make up the genus ''Triticum'' ; the most widely grown is common wheat (''T. aestivum''). The archaeologi ...

sugarcane Sugarcane or sugar cane is a species of (often hybrid) tall, Perennial plant, perennial grass (in the genus ''Saccharum'', tribe Andropogoneae) that is used for sugar Sugar industry, production. The plants are 2–6 m (6–20 ft) tall with ...

, and other crops. * The town is located near a number of historical and cultural sites, including the

Rohtas Fort Rohtas Fort or Rotas Ghur ( Punjabi, ur, ; ''Qila Rohtas'') is a 16th-century fortress located near the city of Dina in Jhelum district of the Punjab province of Pakistan. An Afghan warlord turned Padishah, Sher Shah Suri built the fort, w ...

and the

Salt Range The Salt Range ( pnb, ) is a mountain range in the north of Punjab province of Pakistan, deriving its name from its extensive deposits of rock salt. The range extends along the south of the Potohar Plateau and the north of the Jhelum River. The ...

also called نمک کی کان in

Urdu Urdu (;"Urdu"
''

Banjosa Lake Banjosa Lake ( ur, ) is an artificial lake and a tourist resort from the city of Rawalakot in Poonch District of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. It is located at an altitude of .This lake is 160 kilometers away from Rawalpindi. The lake is surrounded ...

and the

Tilla Jogian Tilla Jogian ( Punjabi and ur, ) is an abandoned Hindu temple and monastic complex located on the summit of the ''Tilla Jogian'' mountain in the Salt Range of Pakistan's Punjab province. The complex was the most important centre for Hindu '' j ...

mountain range. These sites are popular destinations for hiking, picnicking, and other outdoor activities. * The town is located in the province of Punjab, which is known for its rich cultural heritage and traditions. Punjab is home to a number of historical sites and landmarks, including the Lahore Fort and the Shalimar Gardens. * Kharian Cantt is home to a number of healthcare facilities, including hospitals and clinics. The town is also home to a number of community centers and libraries, which offer a range of services and resources to the local community.

Geography

The Kharian Cantonment is 144 km from

Islamabad Islamabad (; ur, , ) is the capital city of Pakistan. It is the country's ninth-most populous city, with a population of over 1.2 million people, and is federally administered by the Pakistani government as part of the Islamabad Capital T ...

and 173 km from

. The cantonment lies almost midway between Lahore and Islamabad on Grand Trunk Road (GT Road). This is the road which connects the city all the way to India and Bangladesh, and Afghanistan on the other side. Prominent nearby cities and towns include

Jhelum Jhelum ( Punjabi and ur, ) is a city on the east bank of the Jhelum River, which is located in the district of Jhelum in the north of Punjab province, Pakistan. It is the 44th largest city of Pakistan by population. Jhelum is known for p ...

Lalamusa Lala Musa (; ur, , pa, ), is a city located in the Gujrat District of the Punjab province, Pakistan with a population of 91,500 in 2018. History Toponymy Lala Musa is a combination of two nouns which mean Brother Musa with ''Lala'' (from v ...

Dinga Dinga is a City Tehsil , District Gujrat, in the Punjab province of Pakistan. It lies between the rivers Jhelum and Chenab. The main highway that runs from Lahore to Rawalpindi is about 23 km (16.7 mi) northeast of Deengah. Deengah is ...

Sarai Alamgir Sarai Alamgir ( pnb, ) is the main town of Sarai Alamgir Tehsil, located in the Gujrat district in the north of the Punjab province of Pakistan. Sarai Alamgir is one of four tehsils of Gujrat district. Sarai Alamgir covers on the eastern ba ...

and Gujrat.Gujrat including Kharian Tehsil on Punjab Portal website
Retrieved 24 September 2021

Entrance

Kharian Cantonment is completely locked down for traffic except through the Checkposts controlled by Military Police (M.P). All the entering cars have to have a pass or permit; otherwise they can not enter the city. A temporary receipt can be obtained by scanning your ID Card at E-Gates. The Military Police Officer may ask you for your Driving Licence. This cantonment is governed by Cantonment Board Kharian (CBK).

Transport

Kharian Cantt is accessible by road on National Highway N-5 (known as the GT road) and the main Rail line. Not all express trains stop at the Kharian Cantt Railway station; public and private buses are the main means of transport. The main railway line passes in

(Parent City) thus providing good transportation to the

Northern Northern may refer to the following: Geography * North, a point in direction * Northern Europe, the northern part or region of Europe * Northern Highland, a region of Wisconsin, United States * Northern Province, Sri Lanka * Northern Range, a ra ...

and

Southern Southern may refer to: Businesses * China Southern Airlines, airline based in Guangzhou, China * Southern Airways, defunct US airline * Southern Air, air cargo transportation company based in Norwalk, Connecticut, US * Southern Airways Express, M ...

part of Pakistan Electric Shuttle Buses are operating inside the Cantonment but limited. Mostly peoples prefer to travel in Cab or Private Transports.

Residential areas

Residential areas include the Abrar Colony, Sanaullah Colony, Ghazi Colony, Iftikhar Janjua Colony, Defence Colony, Shami Colony, North Colony, M-Block, Afzaal Colony, Gammon Colony and Johar Town. Besides, small camps and residential areas for military personnel are present. Each colony has a small park where typically you come across children playing cricket. In 2021, Cantonment Board elections were held throughout Pakistan including Kharian Cantonment.Full results: PTI leads in cantonment board elections
Samaa TV News website, Published 13 September 2021, Retrieved 24 September 2021

Health care

The cantonment has an "A" class standard, 700-bed teaching hospital known as CMH (

Combined Military Hospital Combined Military Hospitals ( ur, , abbreviated as CMH) are Pakistan Armed Forces hospitals situated in various cantonments of Pakistan. History During the British Raj, the British Indian Army troops depended for their medical treatment enti ...

)

. It is the second largest CMH after Rawalpindi. ''CMH (Combines Military Hospital) has following facilities available for Civils/Non-Civils & Army:'' * Children Complex * AFNS Officer Mess * Emergency/Trauma Center * Eye Specialist * Critical Care Unit (CCU) * Cardiologist * Dermatologist * Specialists OPD Many Pharmacies are available inside and nearby CMH for Medicines & Glasses.

Education

Kharian Cantt offers education institutes for basic, intermediate, and higher education. Prominent schools and colleges include: *F.G Degree College For Men *F.G Degree College For Women *F.G Boys Public School *F.G Girls Public School *F.G. Boys High School *F.G Girls High School *C.M.H Kharian Medical College *Garrison Academy Kharian Cantt (GAK) *Army Public School & College (APS&C) In addition, good schools operate near the cantonment, including The Beaconhouse School Systems, International School of Cordoba, Bahria Foundation College, Dar-e-Arqam School and

The City School (Pakistan) The City School (abbreviated as TCS) ni education company established in 1978, which operates English medium primary and secondary with over 160 schools in 49 cities across Pakistan along with joint venture projects in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Philippin ...

. A famous Cadet College,

Military College Jhelum Military College Jhelum (MCJ) is a feeder military Intermediate College, in Sarai Alamgir, Pakistan. Though it is physically located in Gujrat District, due to its very close proximity it is still associated with the City of Jhelum, and is c ...

, is located 15 km away at

References

{{authority control Heliports in Pakistan Planned cities in Pakistan Populated places in Gujrat District Cantonments of Pakistan