Kharian

For the villages in Iran, see Kharian, Iran.

Kharian کھاریاں
Cantonment Entrance Statue Park City outskirts Field on the outskirts Family Hospital Heart Clinic Grand Trunk Road
Nickname:  Little Norway
Kharian Show map of Punjab, Pakistan Kharian Show map of Pakistan
Coordinates: 32°48′39″N73°51′53″E / 32.81083°N 73.86472°E / 32.81083; 73.86472
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

Kharian ^[a] is a city in the north-central part of Punjab, Pakistan. ^[b] It is regarded as the 'wealthiest' subdistrict in Pakistan, housing one of the largest cantonments in South Asia, and also being known for its significant overseas population. With a residential population of over 103,036 (as of 2023), Kharian is located at the foothills of the Sub-Himalayan Range and serves as the headquarters of its eponymous subdistrict within the Gujrat district. It is often called the Little Norway of Pakistan because more than 70 percent of Pakistani Norwegians are originally from Kharian. ^[c]

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. ^[6] Additionally, people from other regions of Pakistan move to Kharian seeking employment, filling the labour gap left by those who have moved abroad. ^[7]

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: [8]

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. ^[9]

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

Notes

1. کھاریاں; Punjabi: [kʰäːˈɾiːjä̃ː] ; Urdu: [kʰɑːˈɾijɑ̃ː] )
2. Regarded as northern with respect to the entire province, but regarded as central too because of it central position in the north.
3. citations: ^{[3] [4] [5]}

References

1. "Kharian City, Gujrat, Pakistan on the Elevation Map. Topographic Map of Kharian City, Gujrat, Pakistan".
2. "Punjāb (Pakistan): Province, Major Cities, Municipalites & Towns - Population Statistics, Maps". Citypopulation.de website. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
3. Mussadaq, Maha (4 March 2012). "Claim to fame: A little bit of Norway lives in Kharian". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
4. Shahzad, Mirza Khurram (26 September 2014). "Footprints: Norway in Pakistan". Dawn (newspaper). Retrieved 23 January 2023.
5. "BBC World Service - Money & Power, In Every Dream Home a Heartache, The mansions that will never be home". BBC. 16 July 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
6. "GUJRAT: Gujrat becomes rich man's land". DAWN.COM. 10 January 2005. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
7. "Do you know any reason Kharian is famous for? | Pakistan Cities, Towns and Villages | PrideofPakistan.com". www.prideofpakistan.com. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
8. "Population by administrative units 1951-1998" (PDF). Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
9. "Home page | Cantonment Board Kharian". www.cbkharian.gov.pk. Retrieved 13 February 2023.