Muzaffargarh | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Muzaffargarh Thermal Power Station | |
  Muzaffargarh Muzaffargarh (Pakistan) Show map of Pakistan | |
| Coordinates:30°04′27″N71°11′26″E / 30.07417°N 71.19056°E /30.07417; 71.19056 | |
| Country |  Pakistan |
| Province |  Punjab |
| Division | Dera Ghazi Khan |
| District | Muzaffargarh |
| Number ofTehsils | 4[1] |
| Union councils | 78 |
| Founded by | Nawab Muzaffar Khan Sadozai |
| Area | |
| • Metro | 8,435 km2 (3,257 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 123 m (404 ft) |
| Population | |
• City | 235,541 |
| • Rank | 39th, Pakistan |
| Time zone | UTC+5 (PST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+6 (PDT) |
| Postal code | 24200 |
| Area code | 066 |
Muzaffargarh[a] is a city in the province of Punjab, Pakistan. Located on the bank of theChenab River, it is the capital of theeponymous district. It is the39th most populous city of Pakistan.
The Muzaffargarh region was an agricultural and forested area during theIndus Valley civilization. Then came theVedic period, which was characterized by the introduction of Indo-Aryan culture into the Punjab province. Over time, several other civilizations came to power in the ancient town and surrounding district: the Kambojas, the Daradas, the Kekayas, the Madras, thePauravas, the Yaudheyas, theMalavas and theKurus.
After the fall of theAchaemenid Empire in 331 BCE,Alexander the Great marched into the present-day Punjab province with an army of 50,000 men. The Muzaffargarh region was, during different time periods, also ruled by theMaurya Empire, theIndo-Greek kingdom, theKushan Empire, theGupta Empire, theWhite Huns, theKushano-Hephthalites, and theTurk andHindu Shahi kingdoms.
In 997 CE,Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi took over theGhaznavid Empire, and, in 1005, conquered the Shahis inKabul, which granted him power over the Punjab region. TheDelhi Sultanate and later theMughal Empire also ruled the region. The location of the present-day town became predominantly Muslim during this time because of the arrival ofmissionarySufis whosedargahs still persist in the area.
After the decline of the Mughal Empire, theSikhs conquered the Muzaffargarh District. Later, in 1848, theBritish Raj assumed control of the area.
Foundation as a town
In 1794, the town of Muzaffargarh was founded by governor ofMultan,Nawab Muzaffar Khan, who was also the Governor ofMultan at the time.[5] The meaning of the word is "Fort of Muzaffar" because the "historic district" lies within the walls of a fort built by the governor. In 1864, it became the capital of the Muzaffargarh District.[6]
The place was also referred to as Kala Pani (Black Water), as it is located between two rivers: the Indus and theChenab. It was linked to the surrounding lands by bridges during the British era.
Independence 1947
During the independence movement of Pakistan, the Muslim population supported theMuslim League and thePakistani Movement. In 1947, after Pakistan gained independence, the minority Hindus and Sikhs migrated to India while the Muslim refugees from India settled in Muzaffargarh.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1951 | 11,271 | — |
| 1961 | 14,474 | +2.53% |
| 1972 | 24,736 | +4.99% |
| 1981 | 53,192 | +8.88% |
| 1998 | 123,404 | +5.07% |
| 2017 | 209,604 | +2.83% |
| 2023 | 235,541 | +1.96% |
| Sources:[7] | ||
According to2023 census, Muzaffargarh had a population of 235,541.
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Muzaffargarh spreads over an area of 8,249 km2 (3,185 sq mi) and forms a strip between the Chenab River to the east and Indus River to the west. Muzaffargarh is 123 metres (404 ft) above sea level.[8] Muzaffargarh was hit especially hard by the2010 Pakistan floods, given its position between the Chenab and Indus rivers.[9]Muzaffargarh is located at almost the exact geographical center of Pakistan.[citation needed] The closest major city isMultan. The area around the city is a flat alluvial plain and is ideal for agriculture, with many citrus and mango farms.[10] There are also canals that cut across the Muzaffargarh District, providing water to farms.[citation needed] During the monsoon season, the land close to the Chenab is usually flooded.[11]
Climate
Muzaffargarh features asemi arid climate with very hot and humid summers and mild winters. The city has experienced some of the most extreme weather in Pakistan. The highest recorded temperature was approximately 54 °C (129 °F), and the lowest recorded temperature was approximately −1 °C (30 °F). The average rainfall is roughly 279 millimetres (11.0 in), concentrated during the monsoon.Dust storms are a common occurrence within the city.
Muzaffargarh has connections with other cities by several means of transportation.
The town is linked to the rest of the district by paved roads that stretch for 983.69 km (611.24 mi). Buses toMultan leave frequently, because of their close proximity to each other.[citation needed] There are also buses that travel to more distant destinations. TheN-70 National Highway connects the city to other parts of Pakistan. This highway allows for direct travel to,Islamabad,Faisalabad,Karachi,Lahore, andBahawalpur.
Muzaffargarh is connected by rail with all parts of Pakistan, as it lies on the branch track betweenMultan,Mianwali, andAttock. The mainPeshawar-Karachi railway line passes throughMultan District.
There are two irrigation canals in Muzaffargarh named Muzaffargarh Canal and Ganesh Wah Canal.
The city is home to the Muzaffargarh Thermal Power Station, a major power generation facility owned and operated by Northern Power Generation Company Limited (GENCO-III).[12] The plant has several oil-fired units that were commissioned in the 1990s.
Over the years, there have been numerous plans to modernize the facility, including proposals to convert the plant to run on coal to reduce costs.[13] As part of a broader privatization effort, the government approved the sale of the power station in early 2025.[14]
Additionally, in the mid-2010s, Muzaffargarh was selected as a potential site for a new nuclear power complex. However, recent strategic plans published by thePakistan Atomic Energy Commission have focused on expanding existing nuclear sites at Chashma and Karachi, and the Muzaffargarh nuclear project is no longer mentioned in active government energy planning.[15]
Fayyaz Park is situated in the center of the city, and located near Katchehry Chowk beside the National Bank Main City branch. The site of the park was previously the residence of the Deputy Commissioner. The park was named after ex-Deputy Commissioner Muzaffargarh Fayyaz Bashir. Recently, the park has been upgraded and made ready for families to walk and spend their time together.[16]
| Nawab Muzaffar Khan Park | |
|---|---|
| Taliri Park | |
| نواب مظفرخان پارک | |
 Interactive map of Nawab Muzaffar Khan Park | |
| Location | Muzaffargarh |
| Coordinates | 30°03′53″N71°12′41″E / 30.06472°N 71.21139°E /30.06472; 71.21139 (Nawab Muzaffar Khan Park) |
| Area | 253 Kanals 02 Marlas (12.8 ha) |
| Status | Open / Active |
| Parking | Yes |
Nawab Muzaffar Khan Park is named after the founder of Muzaffargarh,Nawab Muzaffar Khan.[17] It was formally known as Taliri Park, but was renamed in 2021 after Nawab Muzaffar Khan after historical research showed that he had planted exotic trees there upon his return from the Hajj.[17] This park covers 253 Kanal and 2 Marlas (12.8 ha).[18]
