10 Most Populated Cities In Pakistan

As of the 2017 Census, there are two megacities, ten million-plus cities, and 100 cities having a population of 100,000 or more. Of these 100 cities, 58 are located in the country’s most populous province, Punjab, 22 in Sindh, 11 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, six in Balochistan, two in Azad Kashmir, and one in Islamabad Capital Territory. It is unknown whether Gilgit-Baltistan has any city with over 100,000 people or not, as Gilgit-Baltistan has not yet publicly released any 2017 census results. As in the previous census in 1998, the largest city of Gilgit-Baltistan was Gilgit, with 56,701 inhabitants.

Pakistan is a country located in southern Asia. With a population of over 200 million people, it is the fifth most populous country in the world. Pakistan is also home to some of the world’s megacities. Pakistan has the second-largest Muslim population in the world. It covers an area of 881,913 square kilometres (340,509 square miles), making it the 33rd-largest country. Moreover, Pakistan has a coastline of 1,046 kilometres (650 miles) on the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman and is bordered by India, Afghanistan, Iran and China.

The biggest city in Pakistan is Karachi with a population of over 14.9 million and with an area of more than 3780 square Km. Karachi is called the financial hub of Pakistan with 12 to 15 % of the country,s GDP.

Karachi

Karachi is the largest city in Pakistan and the twelfth-largest city in the world.  It is the capital of the Pakistani province of Sindh. Ranked as a beta-global city, it is Pakistan’s premier industrial and financial centre, with an estimated GDP of $164 billion (PPP) as of 2019. Karachi is Pakistan’s most cosmopolitan city, linguistically, ethnically, and religiously diverse, as well as one of Pakistan’s most secular and socially liberal cities. With its location on the Arabian Sea, Karachi serves as a transport hub, and contains Pakistan’s two largest seaports, the Port of Karachi and Port Qasim, as well as Pakistan’s busiest airport, Jinnah International Airport.

Moreover, It is also one of the most secular and socially liberal cities in the country. Situated on the Arabian Sea, Karachi serves as an important transport hub, housing Pakistan’s largest seaports, Jinnah International Airport, and Bin Qasim Port. The historical, cultural and natural beauty that Karachi has to present, is all worth it. 10 places to visit in Karachi, and you should, by all means, consider visiting! As of the 2017 national census, the total population of Karachi was 14,916,456, with 12.9 million of that figure residing in the urban areas of the city proper. So, with a significant presence of almost every ethnic group in Pakistan, Karachi is one of the world’s fastest-growing cities.

Lahore 

Lahore is the capital of the Pakistan province of Punjab, is Pakistan’s 2nd largest city after Karachi, and is the 26th largest city in the world. Lahore is the largest city of Punjab. Lahore is one of Pakistan’s wealthiest cities with an estimated GDP (PPP) of $84 billion as of 2019. It is the largest city and recent historic, modern-day cultural centre of the wider Punjab region, and is one of Pakistan’s most socially liberal, progressive, and cosmopolitan cities.

Lahore is one of Pakistan’s wealthiest cities, with an estimated GDP of $84 billion as of 2019. In addition to, it is the largest city and historic cultural center of the greater Punjab region and is one of Pakistan’s most socially liberal, progressive, and cosmopolitan cities. If you’re planning to tour the city, here are the top 10 places to visit in Lahore.

Faisalabad

Faisalabad formerly known as Lyallpur , named after the founder of the city, but was renamed in 1977 in honour of late King Faisal of Saudi Arabia. It is the 3rd largest city of Pakistan after Karachi and Lahore respectively, and the 2nd largest city of Punjab after Lahore. Faisalabad is one of Pakistan’s wealthiest cities, the largest industrial hub and 2nd largest city of wider Punjab region. Historically one of the first planned cities within British India, it has long since developed into a cosmopolitan metropolis. Faisalabad was restructured into city district status; a devolution promulgated by the 2001 local government ordinance (LGO). The total area of Faisalabad District is 5,856 km² (2,261 sq mi) while the area controlled by the Faisalabad Development Authority (FDA) is 1,326 km² (512 sq mi).

Faisalabad has seen significant growth in recent years due to its strategic location within the region and its connecting roads, rails, and air transportation. Furthermore, The city has been referred to as the “Manchester of Pakistan” due to its booming industrial and distribution center. Faisalabad’s GDP (PPP) was estimated at $43 billion in 2013 and is projected to rise to $87 billion by 2025, growing at a rate of 5.7%. Moreover, it is the biggest contributor to the Punjab’s GDP, accounting for over 10 percent, and has an average annual GDP (nominal) of $20.5 billion. Further, Its key industries are agriculture and industry.

Rawalpindi 

Rawalpindi is the capital city of Rawalpindi Division located in the Punjab province of Pakistan. Rawalpindi is the 4th largest city proper in Pakistan after Karachi, Lahore and Faisalabad respectively. Rawalpindi is 3rd largest city of Punjab after Lahore and Faisalabad respectively, while the larger Islamabad-Rawalpindi metropolitan area is the country’s fourth largest metropolitan area. Rawalpindi is adjacent to Pakistan’s capital of Islamabad, and the two are jointly known as the “twin cities” on account of strong social and economic links between the cities.

Rawalpindi, which is located in the Punjab province of Pakistan, is the capital city of the Rawalpindi Division. While, it is the fourth-largest city proper in Pakistan, as well as, the larger Islamabad-Rawalpindi metropolitan area is actually the country’s third largest metropolitan area. Moreover, Rawalpindi is adjacent to Pakistan’s capital city of Islamabad, and the two are often referred to as the “twin cities” because of the strong social and economic ties between them.

Gujranwala

Gujranwala is now Pakistan’s third largest industrial centre after Karachi and Faisalabad, and contributes 5% to 9% of Pakistan’s national GDP. The city is part of a network of large urban centres in north-east Punjab province that forms one of Pakistan’s mostly highly industrialized regions. Along with the nearby cities of Sialkot and Gujrat, Gujranwala forms part of the so-called “Golden Triangle” of industrial cities with export-oriented economies.

Gujranwala is now one of Pakistan’s most important industrial centers, after Karachi and Faisalabad. Further, it contributes 5-9% of the country’s GDP and is part of a network of large urban centers in northeast Punjab province that form one of Pakistan’s most highly industrialized regions. Along with the nearby cities of Sialkot and Gujrat, Gujranwala forms part of the so-called “Golden Triangle” of industrial cities with export-oriented economies.

Peshawar

The area encompassing modern-day Peshawar is mentioned in Vedic scriptures; in ancient India, it served as the capital of the Kushan Empire under the rule of Kanishka and was home to the Kanishka Stupa, which was among the tallest buildings in the ancient world. Peshawar was then ruled by the Hephthalites, followed by the Hindu Shahis, before the arrival of a variety of Muslim empires. The city was an important trading centre of the Mughal Empire before becoming part of the Afghan Empire in 1747, after which it served as the Afghan winter capital from 1776 until the capture of the city by the Sikh Empire in 1823. In 1846, the city was captured by the British Empire, under whose rule it remained until the partition of British India and the subsequent independence of Pakistan in 1947.

Peshawar, which is also known as Purushapura, is the capital of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and its largest city. It is the sixth-largest city in Pakistan and the largest city with a Pashtun majority. The city is situated in the Valley of Peshawar east of the historic Khyber Pass and near the border with Afghanistan. And, Peshawar’s recorded history dates back to 539 BCE, making it one of the oldest cities in Pakistan and in South Asia.

Multan

Multan  is a city and capital of Multan Division located in Punjab, Pakistan. Situated on the bank of the Chenab River, Multan was Pakistan’s 7th largest city in 2017 census. It is the 5th most populous city of the country in 2022. It is the major cultural, religious and economic centre of Southern Punjab. It was the historic capital and cultural centre of wider Punjab region. Multan’s history stretches deep into antiquity. The ancient city was the site of the renowned Hindu Multan Sun Temple, and was besieged by Alexander the Great during the Mallian Campaign. It was conquered by Arab military commander Muhammad bin Qasim as capital of then Punjab region.

Multan was a key trading hub in medieval Islamic India, and was known for being home to many Sufi mystics in the 11th and 12th centuries. Moreover, The city was given the nickname “City of Saints” because of the large number of Sufi shrines located there. Multan, along with the nearby city of Uch, is especially renowned for its numerous historical Sufi shrines.

Hyderabad

Hyderabad, population 1.7 million (2017), is the second largest city of Sindh province and the 8th largest city in Pakistan. Lying along the River Indus, it is rich in culture, traditions and history. It was the capital of Sindh for many centuries, and used to be known as the Paris of India, due to belief that streets of the city were washed every morning with clean drinking water from the River Indus. Hyderabad is now an important commercial and cultural center, and serves as a transit between the rural and the urban Sindh. Noteworthy sights in Hyderabad include the tombs of the Kalhora and Talpur rulers, two royal fortresses, and the miles-long bustling and colourful Shahi Bazaar.

Hyderabad is the second-largest city in the Sindh province of Pakistan. It is located about 150 kilometers inland from Karachi, the largest city in Pakistan. Hyderabad is connected to Karachi by a direct railway and the M-9 motorway. In fact, the city is a major industrial and economic center in Pakistan.

Islamabad 

Islamabad is the capital city of Pakistan, and is administered by the Pakistani federal government as part of the Islamabad Capital Territory. It is the ninth-largest city in Pakistan. Built as a planned city in the 1960s, it replaced Rawalpindi as Pakistan’s capital. Islamabad is noted for its high standards of living, safety,cleanliness, peacefulness and abundant greenery.

As well as, it ranks as the ninth-largest city in Pakistan. Apart from just being the capital of Pakistan, Islamabad has a lot more to offer to tourists. For your ease, there are the top 10 places to visit in Islamabad, that you should never forget to visit. The city was purposely built as a planned city in the 1960s to supersede Rawalpindi as Pakistan’s capital. Furthermore, Islamabad is widely known for its high quality of life, safety, and abundance of greenery. Islamabad has been rated as a Gamma+ city by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network. Infact, It is the most expensive city to live in Pakistan and is mostly populated by middle and upper middle class citizens.

Quetta

Located in northern Balochistan near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and the road across to Kandahar, Quetta is a trade and communication centre between the two countries. The city is near the Bolan Pass route which was once one of the major gateways from Central Asia to South Asia. Quetta played an important role militarily for the Pakistani Armed Forces in the intermittent Afghanistan conflict.

Quettais the provincial capital and largest city of the Pakistani province of Balochistan. It is also the 10th largest city in Pakistan. It was largely destroyed in the 1935 Quetta earthquake, but was rebuilt and has a population of 1,001,205 according to the census of 2017. Quetta is at an average elevation of 1,680 metres (5,510 feet) above sea level, making it Pakistan’s only high-altitude major city. The city is known as the “Fruit Garden of Pakistan,” due to the numerous fruit orchards in and around it, and the large variety of fruits and dried fruit products produced there.