Kharian Cantt
کھارِیاں کینٹ
Kharian Cantonment
Kharian Cantt is located in Pakistan
Kharian Cantt
Kharian Cantt
Coordinates: 32°29′N 73°32′E / 32.48°N 73.53°E / 32.48; 73.53
CountryPakistan
ProvincePunjab
DistrictGujrat
Population
 (2014)
 • Total204,462
Time zoneUTC+5 (PST)
Calling code+92-537
Postal Code 50070
Administrative Control
Cantonment Board Kharian

Kharian Cantonment (Urdu: کھاریاں چھاؤنی۔), (Punjabi: کھاریاں ﮐﻴﻨٹ) or Kharian Cantt is one of the largest Cantonment (Army bases) in Pakistan. It is located near Kharian city, in the Gujrat district of Punjab province.[1][2]

This cantonment is located in the Gujrat District in Punjab, Pakistan. It is located about 130 kilometers northwest of Lahore, 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

Geography

The Kharian Cantonment is 144 km from Islamabad and 173 km from Lahore. 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,Lalamusa, Dinga, Sarai Alamgir and Gujrat.[3]

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 Kharian (Parent City) thus providing good transportation to the Northern and Southern 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.[4]

Health care

The cantonment has an "A" class standard, 700-bed teaching hospital known as CMH (Combined Military Hospital) Kharian. It is the second largest CMH after Rawalpindi.

CMH (Combines Military Hospital) has following facilities available for Civils/Non-Civils & Army:

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:

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). A famous Cadet College, Military College Jhelum, is located 15 km away at Sarai Alamgir.

See also

References

  1. ^ Waseem Ashraf Butt (27 April 2015). "PML-N lost Kharian Cantt due to 'differences among leaders'". Dawn (newspaper). Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  2. ^ "Tehsils & Unions in the District of Gujrat". National Reconstruction Bureau, Government of Pakistan website. 2 January 2008. Archived from the original on 14 February 2009. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  3. ^ Gujrat including Kharian Tehsil on Punjab Portal website Retrieved 24 September 2021
  4. ^ Full results: PTI leads in cantonment board elections Samaa TV News website, Published 13 September 2021, Retrieved 24 September 2021
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