Sialkot, located 130 kilometer north-west
of Lahore; at the feet of the snow-covered peaks of Kashmir
and near the Chenab riveris , is a city in the northern
province of Punjab Pakistan, Sialkot is about 125 km north
of Lahore and only a few kilometers from Jammu It is one of
the major industrial centers of Pakistan and is well-known
for its manufacture and export of surgical instruments,
musical instruments, sports goods, leather goods, textile
products and other light manufactures. A Pakistan Army base
(Sialkot Cantonment) is situated adjacent to the city. The
Sialkot International Airport, Limited (SIAL) and the
Sialkot Dry Port serve the Sialkot, Gujranwala and Gujrat
region.
It is believed to have been founded by Raja Sul the uncle of
the Pandavas, whose heroic deeds are recorded in the epic
Mahábhárta. After his death, some 5000 years ago, there is a
tradition that the dynasty continued for some 1500 years.
The seasonal stream, known as the Aik Nala, that flows
through the city is mentioned in the Upanishads.
Popular Attractions:
The old city has a fascinating labyrinth
of narrow streets and crowded bazaars. Down a small side
street in the old part of the city is the shrine of Hazrat
Imam Ali-ul-Haq (Imam Sahib). The path leading to the tomb
is often lined with numerous prostrating pilgrims. The
mausoleum complex is a maze of narrow corridors leading to
several shrines of pirs (holy men). The tomb of Imam Ali-ul-Haq
is to the right, through a mirrored gateway tiled with
Quranic inscriptions and geometric designs. The courtyard is
a fascinating place to sit and absorb the atmosphere. To the
rear is a small graveyard where drumming, devotional singing
and dancing takes place. The market outside is very
photogenic and a large flat roof at the entrance to the
shrine offers a panoramic view of the deals being struck. On
a low hill in the centre of the old city are the few remains
of the Sialkot Fort. The shrine of the pir (saint) Muradala
Shah is also on the hill.
Other places of interest include the tomb of the great
Muslim scholar, Mian Abdul Hakim and Hafiz Muhammad Alim, on
Khadim Ali Road and the former residence of Dr. Muhammad
Iqbal (1877-1938) which has been turned into a small museum
containing some of his personal belongings and named Iqbal
Manzil (Iqbal House).
Accessibility:
Sialkot is well connected with rest of the country by road and air linkages.







