City history
From its origins as the planned colonial city of Lyallpur to its current status as a major industrial hub, Faisalabad holds a unique place in Pakistan's history.
Chapter one
Earliest documented name
"Named after Sir James Lyall"
An indigenous name for the city is not reliably documented; the earliest documented name is Lyallpur, founded during the British era.
Named after Sir James Lyall
A planned city established during the British Raj as part of the Canal Colony project to support agricultural expansion.
Named after King Faisal bin Abdulaziz
Renamed to honor the late King of Saudi Arabia during a period of close diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Chapter two
The nation established its standard time offset, which remains consistent for the Faisalabad region today as Pakistan Standard Time.
Chapter three
The city was founded as a planned administrative and commercial center within the new Canal Colonies, featuring a unique grid layout.
The city underwent a significant identity shift when it was renamed to honor the King of Saudi Arabia during the late 1960s.
Faisalabad solidified its status as the textile powerhouse of Pakistan, earning its reputation as the Manchester of Pakistan during this era.