The city of Lahore is a historic and vibrant city located in the southern part of Pakistan. It is a commercial and cultural hub for the region, and it is also one of the fastest-growing cities in Pakistan. As Lahore becomes more and more congested, it has become imperative for the city to find new ways to accommodate its population. One way this is being done is through the development of a “smart city”. In this blog post, we will explore what a “smart city” is, its benefits for Lahore, and how you can be a part of its development.
Lahore: A Brief History
Lahore is one of the oldest and most significant cities in Pakistan. It has been a major trade center for centuries, and is now recognized as one of the country’s leading cultural and economic hubs. Lahore is also home to Pakistan’s prestigious university system, which includes some of the country’s top universities.
The city was founded by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1556, and soon became an important center of trade and commerce. The local economy was based largely on agriculture until the early 20th century, but from that point onwards it began to develop as a major commercial center. Lahore also became a key center for education, with several institutions of higher learning opening up there in the late 19th century.
Today, Lahore remains one of Pakistan’s most important cities, with a population of over 9 million people. It is home to many businesses and industries, as well as numerous cultural attractions. The city has also been designated as the provincial capital of Punjab province, which makes it an important political center as well.
The Infrastructure in Lahore
The Lahore Smart City is one of the flagship projects of the incumbent government. The project envisages the development of a city that would be equipped with modern infrastructure and facilities, making it a premier urban area in Pakistan.
The Lahore Smart City is located in the eastern part of the city, which is one of the most densely populated areas in Lahore. The project will involve the construction of a number of infrastructure facilities, including hospitals, schools, airports and shopping complexes. It will also entail the provision of water and sanitation facilities, as well as electronic management systems for public services.
The project has been met with considerable opposition from some sections of society, who argue that it is unnecessary and could cost taxpayers millions of dollars. Nonetheless, the government remains committed to developing the city into a smart centre that would be admired by visitors from around the world.
The Economy of Lahore
Lahore is a city located in the province of Punjab, Pakistan. The city has a population of almost five million people and is considered one of the most populous cities in the world. Lahore was originally founded in 1724 by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb as a small village called Loharu. In 1819, after the British defeated the Mughals, Lahore became part of British India. After independence from British India in 1947, Lahore remained part of Pakistan.
The economy of Lahore is based on agriculture, manufacturing, and services. The largest employer in Lahore is the government with approximately 30% of the workforce employed by government institutions. Other major employers include private sector companies such as Dow Chemical Company and Nestle Pakistan Ltd., as well as public sector organizations such as the University of Punjab and Health Corporation Pakistan. The agricultural sector employs around 35% of the workforce while manufacturing employs around 25%. Services account for around 50% of employment in Lahore.
The city has a diversified economy with sectors such as information technology and pharmaceuticals being particularly strong. Major exports include textiles, carpets, refined petroleum products, fruits, vegetables and flowers. Major imports include machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs and vehicles. The City has been designated as a smart city by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) under its ‘Clean GEO City’ programme which aims to make it an attractive investment destination for international businesses
Lahore’s Demographics
Lahore is the second most populous city of Pakistan after Karachi and it is also the capital of the province of Punjab. The city has a population of over 20 million people and is one of the most diverse cities in Pakistan. The city has a cosmopolitan population and is home to many ethnic groups including Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis.
The Lahore Metropolitan Corporation (LMC) reports that out of the total population, 49% are males and 51% are females. According to Census 2011 data, 49% of the population lives in urban areas while 51% lives in rural areas. Around 27% of the total population resides in 6th Municipal District while around 73% resides in 10th Municipal District. There are sizeable populations residing in other districts as well such as 2nd Municipal district which has 4%, 11th Municipal district with 3%, 17th Municipal district with 2%, 25th municipal district with 1%.
Although majority of people living in Lahore are Muslim, there is a significant Christian minority comprising around 5%. Hindus constitute around 2%. Sikhs make up approximately 1%. Buddhists make up 0.5% while Parsis comprise around 0.25% of the total population [1].
The major languages spoken by the people residing in Lahore include Urdu (official language), Punjabi (a predominant language spoken by Punjabis), Sindhi (a language spoken by Sindhis), Saraiki
