| Kharian Cantt | |
| Official Name: | Kharian Cantonment |
| Mapsize: | 100px |
| Pushpin Map: | Pakistan |
| Coordinates: | 32.48°N 73.53°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | Pakistan |
| Subdivision Type1: | Province |
| Subdivision Type2: | District |
| Subdivision Name1: | Punjab |
| Subdivision Name2: | Gujrat |
| Population Total: | 204,462 |
| Population As Of: | 2014 |
| Timezone1: | PST |
| Utc Offset1: | +5 |
| Area Code: | +92-537 Postal Code 50070 |
| Area Code Type: | Calling code |
| Footnotes: | Administrative Control Cantonment Board Kharian |
Kharian Cantonment (Urdu: کھاریاں چھاؤنی۔), (Punjabi: ) or Kharian Cantt is one of the largest cantonments (army bases) in Pakistan. It is located near Kharian city, in the Gujrat district of Punjab province.[1] [2]
This cantonment is located in the Gujrat District in Punjab, Pakistan. It is located about 130 kilometers northwest of Lahore, the capital of the Punjab province. Kharian Cantt is home to a number of military installations and is a hub for the Pakistani Army. The town is also home to a number of schools, hospitals, and other amenities.
Construction of Kharian Cantonment began late in 1956. Roads, Railroad lines, fuel-storage tanks, a sewage system and treatment plant were constructed for First Five Thousand Troops. The construction work was slowed down in October-November 1956 due to Suez Crises. By the end of 1957, Contractor had completed over 350 buildings and had work pending for another two fiscal years to complete the facilities for troops.
The Large Army Base at Kharian called for a multiyear project to build facilities on 4000 Acre area to adjust 15000 Troops of Pakistan Armored Division. USACE (U.S Army Corps of Engineers) constructed new facilities by the start of 1958 and provided space for Five Thousand Troops. The work programmed for FY 1959 projected facilities for another Five Thousand Soldiers.
Construction of Kharian Cantt was successfully completed with the cooperation of USACE in 1959. It became one of the largest cantonment in Pakistan and second largest cantonment in the World.
The Kharian Cantonment is 144 km from Islamabad and 173 km from Lahore. The cantonment lies almost midway between Lahore and Islamabad on Grand Trunk Road (GT Road). This is the road which connects the city all the way to India and Bangladesh, and Afghanistan on the other side. Prominent nearby cities and towns include Jhelum,Lalamusa, Dinga, Sarai Alamgir and Gujrat.[3]
Kharian Cantonment is completely locked down for traffic except through the Checkposts controlled by Military Police (M.P). All the entering cars have to have a pass or permit; otherwise they can not enter the city. A temporary receipt can be obtained by scanning your ID Card at E-Gates. The Military Police Officer may ask you for your Driving Licence.
This cantonment is governed by Cantonment Board Kharian (CBK).
Kharian Cantt is accessible by road on National Highway N-5 (known as the GT road) and the main Rail line. Not all express trains stop at the Kharian Cantt Railway station; public and private buses are the main means of transport. The main railway line passes in Kharian (Parent City) thus providing good transportation to the Northern and Southern part of Pakistan
Electric Shuttle Buses are operating inside the Cantonment but limited. Mostly peoples prefer to travel in Cab or Private Transports.
Residential areas include the Abrar Colony, Sanaullah Colony, Ghazi Colony, Iftikhar Janjua Colony, Defence Colony, Shami Colony, North Colony, M-Block, Afzaal Colony, Gammon Colony and Johar Town. Besides, small camps and residential areas for military personnel are present. Each colony has a small park where typically you come across children playing cricket. In 2021, Cantonment Board elections were held throughout Pakistan including Kharian Cantonment.[4]
The cantonment has an "A" class standard, 700-bed teaching hospital known as CMH (Combined Military Hospital) Kharian. It is the second largest CMH after Rawalpindi.
CMH (Combines Military Hospital) has following facilities available for Civils/Non-Civils & Army:
Many Pharmacies are available inside and nearby CMH for Medicines & Glasses.
Kharian Cantt offers education institutes for basic, intermediate, and higher education. Prominent schools and colleges include:
In addition, good schools operate near the cantonment, including The Beaconhouse School Systems, International School of Cordoba, Bahria Foundation College, Dar-e-Arqam School and The City School (Pakistan). A famous Cadet College, Military College Jhelum, is located 15 km away at Sarai Alamgir.