Kharian

For the villages in Iran, see Kharian, Iran.

Kharian (Punjabi, Urdu: کھارِیاں) is a city in Gujrat District of the Punjab province, Pakistan. It is the headquarters of Kharian Tehsil (sub-district). As of 2023, Kharian is the second largest Tehsil in Gujrat Division (after Gujrat Tehsil itself with a population of 1,174,935).

Kharian کھارِیاں
Kharian Cantonment
Nickname:  Little Norway
Kharian Show map of Punjab, Pakistan Kharian Show map of Pakistan
Coordinates: 32°48′39″N 73°51′53″E
Country	Pakistan
Province	Punjab
Division	Gujrat
District	Gujrat
Elevation [1]	263 m (863 ft)
Population  (2023)[2]
• City	103,036
Demonym	Kharians
Time zone	UTC+5 (PST)
Calling code	0537
Highways	N-5 M-12

The city is known as Little Norway of Pakistan because more than 70 percent of Pakistanis in Norway belong to this area.^[3][4]

Kharian is known for its agriculture and large expatriate population. Many residents have migrated to Gulf countries and Europe in search of better financial opportunities, and the remittances they send back make up a significant portion of the tehsil's income. This influx of funds is one of the main reasons Kharian is often regarded as the wealthiest tehsil of Pakistan.^[5] Additionally, people from other regions of Pakistan move to Kharian seeking employment, filling the labour gap left by those who have moved abroad.^[6]

Demographics

Population

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1951	4,598	—
1961	19,469	+15.53%
1972	21,306	+0.82%
1981	51,506	+10.30%
1998	73,627	+2.12%
2017	87,569	+0.92%
2023	103,036	+2.75%
Sources:[7]

Military

Kharian Cantt, the largest military cantonment in Pakistan, is situated within the city and is also home to a substantial civilian population who benefit from services comparable to those in major cities like Islamabad and Lahore, including modern schools, colleges, parks, restaurants, and a well-maintained, regulated environment with regular cleaning. Many residents from nearby areas commute daily to Kharian Cantt for its amenities. ^[8]

Notable people

• Muhammad Alam Lohar, (1928 - 3 July 1979), Prominent Punjabi folk music singer.
• Major Raja Aziz Bhatti (1928 - 10 September 1965), recipient of Pakistan's highest award for valor Nishan-e-Haider (Lit.: Emblem of Lion)
• Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry, the fifth President of Pakistan.
• Ismat Beg, scientist.

See also

• Kharian Cantonment