Sialkot-The city of Iqbal: tips and gaide

The  city of Sialkot  is located in Punjab under the Sialkot district. In terms of population, it ranks on the twelfth amongst other cities in Pakistan. It has an ancient history attached to it. Sialkot was founded by Raja Sul and was later rebuilt by Raja Salivahian who also constructed a fort in the city. This is how the city was coined its name, Sialkot which means ‘Fort of Sia’.

Sialkot is a very cultured city with diverse residents in terms of values and ethnicities. The overall city, however, represents the pure Punjabi culture. Sialkot is known for the manufacturing and export of items such as surgical and musical instruments, sports goods, leather goods and textile goods. The land is very fertile and rich in crops such as wheat, rice, barley and sugarcane.
Jovago’s top 3
IqbalManzil
Sialkot is the birth city of Pakistan’s one and only national poet, Allama Mohammad Iqbal , giving the city the perfect association with Pakistan’s history. Iqbal’s house (known as IqbalManzil) is located in Kashmiri Mohalla, Sialkot. It was bought by Iqbal’s grandfather in 1861 and is still present. It has been converted into a museum for tourists to visit. Thus, it is a must-go site in Sialkot.

Clock Tower
We have all heard about Sialkot’s famous clock tower.  It stands in the middle of Saddar Bazaar and holds the busy streets together. It is more than a hundred years old monument, that has its own significance. Though it has been renovated the real structure stands up to this date.

Tomb of Imam Ali-ul-Haq
Imam Ali-ul-Haq dates back to the 13thcentury, he successfully converted thousands of local population of Sialkot to Islam. He got martyred in a clash against Raja of Sialkot at that time and has a mausoleum built over his grave. Whoever visits Sialkot, definitely pays a visit to Imam Sahib’s shrine. His service to humanity will always keep him alive amongst Muslims and Pakistanis.
Tips
Restaurants
Some of the famous Sialkoti dishes include Tandoori Chicken, Bhuna Ghost, Nihari, KeemaNaan and SarsonkaSaag. You will easily find these dishes in almost every Pakistani restaurant. According to the visitors, the top restaurants that are a must-try are Malik restaurant and Frangoz café.

Shopping
Sialkot is an industrial city with an increasing population and therefore increasing needs. Sialkot has the best quality items that are exported throughout the world. Some famous markets include Duran shopping mall, V mall and Clover mall. Other famous stores are Ihsan sports and Multi trading house.

Hotels
Jovago Pakistan has a variety of lavish as well as affordable guesthouses and hotels in Sialkot such as Hotel One, Javson Hotel  and Royal guest house. You will find the best prices and deals on Jovago’s website.

Money
Pakistan Rupees, All International Credit Cards (Visa/MasterCard) are accepted by the ATM.

Exchange Rate
http://www.xe.com/currency/pkr-pakistani-rupeexchange Rate

Country code
+92 52

Airport
Sialko  t International Airport is situated 14 km west of Sialkot in the Sialkot District of Punjab.

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Celebrating Iqbal Day

Iqbal Day is an annual national holiday, celebrated in Pakistan and is locally known as Yōm-eWelādat-e Muḥammad Iqbāl. Iqbal Day celebrates Sir Muhammad Iqbal who was born on the 9^th of November 1877 in Sialkot. He is commonly known as Allama Iqbal and passed away on 21st April 1938. He was a poet, a philosopher and a politician who influenced the Pakistan Movement.

Allama Iqbal was knighted by King George V, and hence obtained the title of ‘Sir’. His famous literary works are Asrar-e-Khudi, Rumuz-e-Bekhudi, Payam-e-Mashriq, Zabur-e-Ajam, and Javed Nama. Every year the whole world pays tribute to Allama Iqbal, the "Poet of the East". The Pakistan government has officially declared him as the national poet.

The Pakistan Movement also referred to as Tehrik-e-Pakistan aimed for the independence of Pakistan and Bengal from the British Empire. Iqbal harnessed his talent in literature and wrote powerful poetry as a tool for spreading political awareness. The Pakistan Movement is taught to students in Pakistan and mentioned in both school and universities textbooks.

One of the famous quotes said by Allama Iqbal in reference to the Pakistan Movement is, “I would like to see the Punjab, North-West Frontier Province, Sindh and Baluchistan amalgamated into a single State. Self-government within the British Empire, or without the British Empire, the formation of a consolidated North-West Indian Muslim State appears to me to be the final destiny of the Muslims, at least of North-West India.”

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