Qaidabad City in 2025 | Pakistan | شہر قائد آباد کی سیر

Qaidabad, also spelled Quaidabad, is a city and tehsil (administrative subdivision) in the Khushab District of Punjab, Pakistan. It's located about 40 km west of the district headquarters, Khushab, and 90 km from Sargodha. The city's name, which translates to "City of the Leader," was given in honor of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan. History and Demographics Qaidabad was founded in 1951 by Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar. The city and its surrounding areas are an interesting mix of diverse landscapes, from the sandy agricultural plains of the Thal desert to the hilly terrains of the Soon Valley. Historically, the area was a route for Muslim rulers invading Indo-Pak from Afghanistan. The population of Qaidabad has grown significantly over the years, with the urban population increasing more than fivefold between 1972 and 2017. As of 2017, the city's population was over 21,000. Economy and Industry The economy of Qaidabad is largely agro-based. The fertile soil, irrigated by the Mohajir Branch canal, supports the cultivation of crops like rice, wheat, and black gram. The city is particularly famous for its grain market, which is a major trading hub for rice in Punjab. Besides farming, the local industry includes rice mills, poultry farms, and salt processing units. The Warcha salt mine, one of the largest in the country, is located near Qaidabad, highlighting the region's rich mineral resources. Key Features Qaidabad is an important link between different regions of Punjab. It has road connections to the agricultural lands of Thal and the mountainous Soon Valley. While it was once known for its woolen mill and carpets, the industry has since shifted towards agro-based products.