Current Time in Sargodha, Pakistan

Sargodha is a major city located in the Punjab Province of Pakistan, situated in the fertile heart of the Punjab plain between the Chenab and Jhelum rivers. With a population of approximately 800,000, Sargodha is the fifth-largest city in Punjab and serves as the administrative headquarters of Sargodha Division and Sargodha District. The city is known across Pakistan as the City of Eagles, a nickname derived from its association with the Pakistan Air Force, which has a major base here, and is particularly celebrated for producing some of the finest citrus fruit in Asia.

The modern city of Sargodha was established during the British colonial period in 1903 as part of the planned development of the Lower Jhelum Canal Colony. The colonial administration systematically settled thousands of farmers from other parts of Punjab on the newly irrigated land, creating a productive agricultural district that rapidly became one of the most prosperous in the region. The planned layout of Sargodha, with wide streets and a grid pattern, reflects its colonial-era origins.

Sargodha is most famous throughout Pakistan and internationally for its exceptional citrus production. The surrounding district is the largest producer of citrus fruits in Pakistan, and Sargodha's kinnows — a citrus hybrid particularly well-suited to the local climate — are widely regarded as among the sweetest and most flavorful in the world. Millions of tons of kinnows and other citrus fruits are harvested in the region each year, supplying markets across Pakistan and exporting to countries in the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.

The Pakistan Air Force Base Mushaf, one of the largest air force bases in Pakistan, is located in Sargodha and has given the city its eagles identity. The base has historically been an important installation in Pakistan's air defense system, and several air force officers of distinction have been associated with it. The PAF Museum in Sargodha showcases the history of the Pakistan Air Force and its aircraft.

The University of Sargodha and several other educational institutions have made the city an important center of higher learning in central Punjab. The local economy combines agriculture — centered on citrus but also wheat, rice, and sugar cane — with small-scale industries including food processing, textile manufacturing, and metalwork. The city's markets, particularly the fruit markets during harvest season, are vibrant and characteristic of Punjab's commercial life.

Sargodha is connected by rail and road to Lahore, Faisalabad, and other major cities. With its distinctive reputation for citrus excellence, air force heritage, agricultural prosperity, and educational development, Sargodha is a significant and distinctive city in the heart of Pakistan's most populous province.