View source for Lodhran

{{About||district|Lodhran District|other uses}}
{{pp-pc}}
{{more citations needed|date=September 2016}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                   = Lodhran
|official_name          =
|native_name            = {{Nastaliq|لودهراں}}
|native_name_lang       = ur
|settlement_type        = [[List of cities in Pakistan|City]]
|other_name             =
|image_skyline          =
|imagesize              =
|image_caption          =
|pushpin_map            = Punjab Pakistan#Pakistan
|pushpin_label_position =
|pushpin_mapsize        =
|pushpin_map_caption    = Location in Pakistan
|subdivision_type       = Country
|subdivision_name       = {{PAK}}
|subdivision_type1      = [[Subdivisions of Pakistan|Province]]
|subdivision_name1      = {{flagicon|Punjab, Pakistan}} [[Punjab (Pakistan)|Punjab]]
| subdivision_type2               = [[Divisions of Pakistan|Division]] | subdivision_name2               = [[Multan Division|Multan]]
|subdivision_type3      = [[Districts of Pakistan|District]]
|subdivision_name3      = [[Lodhran District|Lodhran]]
|subdivision_type4      = Towns
|subdivision_name4      = 1
|subdivision_type5      = Union councils
|subdivision_name5      = 28
|government_footnotes   =
|government_type        =
|leader_title           = Nazim
|leader_name            =
|leader_title1          = Naib nazim
|leader_name1           =
|leader_title2          = [[Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan|MNA]](s)
|leader_name2           = {{ulist|[[Abdul Rehman Khan Kanju]] ([[NA-160 (Lodhran-I)]])|[[Mian Muhammad Shafiq]] ([[NA-161 (Lodhran-II)]])}}
|established_title      =
|established_date       =
|area_total_km2         =
|area_metro_km2         =
|population_as_of               =[[2023 Pakistani census|2023]]
|population_footnotes           =<ref>{{cite web |title=PAKISTAN: Provinces and Major Cities |url=http://www.citypopulation.de/en/pakistan/cities/punjab/ |website=Punjab (Pakistan): Province and Major Cities, Municipalities & Towns |publisher=Citypopulation.de |access-date=4 May 2020}}</ref>
|population_note                =
|population_rank=[[List of largest cities in Pakistan|81st, Pakistan]]
|population_total               = 144512
|total_type= City
|population_density_km2         = auto
|population_urban               =
|population_density_urban_km2   =
|coordinates            = {{Coord|29|32|0|N|71|38|0|E|type:city_region:PK|display=inline,title}}
|elevation_footnotes    =
|elevation_m            =
|elevation_ft           =
|timezone               =[[Pakistan Standard Time|PST]]
|utc_offset             = +5
|timezone_DST        =[[Pakistan Standard Time|PDT]]
|utc_offset_DST         = +6
|postal_code_type       =
|postal_code            =+59320
|area_code              =
|blank_name             =
|blank_info             =
|website                =
|footnotes              =
}}
'''Lodhran''' ({{langx|ur|{{Nastaliq|لودهراں}}}}), is a city and the capital of [[Lodhran District]] in the [[Punjab (Pakistan)|Punjab]] province of [[Pakistan]]. It is Pakistan's [[Largest cities of Pakistan|81st largest city]]. It is located on the northern side of River [[Sutlej]].
Lodhran is famous for its cotton crop<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.punjab.gov.pk/lodhran|title=Lodhran &#124; Punjab Portal}}</ref> and mangoes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2308885/lodhrans-white-chaunsa-emerges-as-new-favourite|title=Lodhran’s white chaunsa emerges as new favourite}}</ref>
==Administration==
As well as being district capital, Lodhran is the administrative centre of Lodhran tehsil, which is subdivided into 28 [[Union Councils of Pakistan|Union Councils]].<ref>[http://www.nrb.gov.pk/lg_election/union.asp?district=17&dn=Lodhran Tehsils & Unions in the District of Lodhran – Government of Pakistan] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807200025/http://www.nrb.gov.pk/lg_election/union.asp?district=17&dn=Lodhran |date=2011-08-07 }}</ref>
== Development projects ==
The federal government spent Rs. 5.6 billion on 53 development schemes in the Public Health Engineering sector. These schemes involved building and fixing water supply systems, sewage treatment plants, and drainage systems in different areas, with the aim of improving access to clean water and sanitation, especially in remote and underprivileged regions. The government allocated Rs. 1.06 billion for 10 projects in Punjab, which included development projects in Lodhran.<ref>{{Cite web |author=News Desk |date=2023-03-07 |title=Rs 5.6 billion being spent on 53 development schemes of PHE |url=https://pakobserver.net/rs-5-6-billion-being-spent-on-53-development-schemes-of-phe/ |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=Pakistan Observer |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Lodhran-Multan highway ===
In mid 2021, Pakistan started the construction of a new 62&nbsp;km two-lane road to connect Lodhran, Khanewal, and Multan. The aim was to boost transportation and trade between the three districts and improve the infrastructure in the region.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-06-04 |title=62km two-lane Lodhran-Multan road to connect three districts |url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/767251/62km-two-lane-lodhran-multan-road-to-connect-three-districts/ |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=Daily Times |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Railway reforms ===
In 2022, the federal government allocated Rs. 32,648 million to the Railways Division for the annual budget, which was an increase from the previous year. The funds were intended to complete ongoing railway projects and launch new initiatives aimed at improving the infrastructure and services.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Public Sector Development Programme |url=https://www.app.com.pk/budget/budget-2022-23/govt-allocates-rs32648-million-for-railways-division/}}</ref>
=== Speedo Bus service ===
The Speedo Bus Service was launched in Bahawalpur, Pakistan in May 2022, following the direction of the Chief Minister of Punjab. The service operated between Bahawalpur and Lodhran, providing citizens with modern and affordable transport. The inaugural ceremony was attended by local officials and citizens who appreciated the initiative taken by the Punjab government.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Speedo Bus service |url=https://www.app.com.pk/photos-section/on-the-direction-of-chief-minister-punjab-speedo-bus-service-start-service-for-the-citizens-from-bahawalpur-to-lodhran/}}</ref>
The Speedo Bus Service was restored after a break of several months due to several threats from a transport company due to their unpaid charges from the government.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Correspondent |first=The Newspaper's |date=2022-09-28 |title=Company refuses to continue Speedo service |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1712309 |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref> The authorities took measures to ensure passengers' safety and urged citizens to use the service to facilitate economic and social development in the region. Local officials expressed satisfaction with the service's resumption.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Correspondent |first=The Newspaper's |date=2022-05-19 |title=Bahawalpur-Lodhran Speedo bus service restored |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1690345 |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref>
== Agriculture ==
In 2023, Farmers in Pakistan were urged to sign up for government crop insurance programs to protect against crop losses due to natural disasters. Crop insurance is essential for the survival of farmers and the farming community in Pakistan. The Punjab government launched several crop insurance programs covering a variety of crops, including wheat, cotton, sugarcane, and rice, with subsidies of up to 100% for farmers with up to five acres of land. Agriculture is crucial for Pakistan's economy, and the majority of the population depends on it.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-15 |title=Farmers urged to register for govt’s crop insurance initiatives |url=https://www.nation.com.pk/15-Mar-2023/farmers-urged-to-register-for-govt-s-crop-insurance-initiatives |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=The Nation |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Farmers Urged To Register For Punjab Crop Insurance |url=https://www.urdupoint.com/en/agriculture/farmers-urged-to-register-for-punjab-crop-ins-1651207.html |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=UrduPoint |language=en}}</ref>
A a new variety of Chaunsa mango called "White Chaunsa" from Lodhran became popular among mango enthusiasts due to its sweet taste and unique white color. The mango gained popularity over other popular varieties such as Anwar Ratol and Sindhri. The longer shelf life of White Chaunsa also made it more appealing to buyers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-07-05 |title=Lodhran’s white chaunsa emerges as new favourite |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2308885/lodhrans-white-chaunsa-emerges-as-new-favourite |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}}</ref>
==Notable people==
* [[Jahangir Khan Tareen]], former federal minister for industries and production.
* [[Siddique Khan Kanju]], former foreign minister.
* [[Abdul Rehman Khan Kanju]], former Minister For Overseas Pakistanis.
* [[Rao Sardar Ali Khan]], inspector-general of police (IGP), the [[Punjab Police (Pakistan)|Punjab Police]].
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Tehsils of Punjab (Pakistan)}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Populated places in Lodhran District]]