Pakistan is a country located in southern Asia. With a population of over 200 million people, it is the fifth most populous country in the world. Pakistan is also home to some of the world’s megacities.
Pakistan has the second-largest Muslim population in the world. It covers an area of 881,913 square kilometres (340,509 square miles), making it the 33rd-largest country. Moreover, Pakistan has a coastline of 1,046 kilometres (650 miles) on the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman, and is bordered by India, Afghanistan, Iran and China.
Pakistan is a culturally rich country with a diverse population. The official languages of Pakistan are Urdu. In addition to Urdu, there are also many regional languages spoken throughout the country.
Most populous cities in Pakistan
This list contains the most populous cities in Pakistan according to the 2017 Census of Pakistan. Furthermore, City populations found in this list only refer to the population found within the city’s defined limits and any adjacent cantonment, if exists (except for Gujranwala and Okara). Moreover, The census totals below come from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics for the four provinces of Pakistan and the Islamabad Capital Territory, and from the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Planning & Development Department (PND AJK) for cities inside Azad Kashmir.
Top 10 cities of Pakistan based on Population
Following are the list of top 10 cities of Pakistan based on Population
| Rank | City | Population |
| 1 | Karachi | 14,916,456 |
| 2 | Lahore | 11,126,285 |
| 3 | Faisalabad | 3,204,726 |
| 4 | Rawalpindi | 2,098,231 |
| 5 | Gujranwala | 2,027,001 |
| 6 | Peshawar | 1,970,042 |
| 7 | Multan | 1,871,843 |
| 8 | Hyderabad | 1,734,309 |
| 9 | Islamabad | 1,009,832 |
| 10 | Quetta | 1,001,205 |
1. Karachi
Karachi is the largest city in Pakistan and one of the twelve largest cities in the world. It is the capital of Sindh province and a beta-global city. It is Pakistan’s premier industrial and financial centre, with an estimated GDP of $164 billion (PPP) as of 2019.
Karachi is the most populous city in Pakistan, with a population of over 14 million. Karachi is a highly cosmopolitan city in Pakistan, with a rich diversity of languages, ethnicities, and religions. Moreover, It is also one of the most secular and socially liberal cities in the country. Situated on the Arabian Sea, Karachi serves as an important transport hub, housing Pakistan’s largest seaports, Jinnah International Airport, and Bin Qasim Port. The historical, cultural and natural beauty that Karachi has to present, is all worth it. 10 places to visit in Karachi, and you should, by all means, consider visiting!
As of the 2017 national census, the total population of Karachi was 14,916,456, with 12.9 million of that figure residing in the urban areas of the city proper. So, with a significant presence of almost every ethnic group in Pakistan, Karachi is one of the world’s fastest-growing cities.
2. Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab, the country’s second largest city after Karachi, and the 26th largest city in the world. It is also the largest city in Punjab and a major cultural center of the Punjab region.
Lahore is one of Pakistan’s wealthiest cities, with an estimated GDP of $84 billion as of 2019. In addition to, it is the largest city and historic cultural center of the greater Punjab region and is one of Pakistan’s most socially liberal, progressive, and cosmopolitan cities. If you’re planning to tour the city, here are the top 10 places to visit in Lahore.
3. Faisalabad
Faisalabad is the third-largest city in Pakistan by population, after Karachi and Lahore. It is the second-largest city in the province of Punjab, after Lahore. Faisalabad was one of the first planned cities in British India and has since developed into a cosmopolitan metropolis.
Faisalabad has seen significant growth in recent years due to its strategic location within the region and its connecting roads, rails, and air transportation. Furthermore, The city has been referred to as the “Manchester of Pakistan” due to its booming industrial and distribution center.
Faisalabad’s GDP (PPP) was estimated at $43 billion in 2013 and is projected to rise to $87 billion by 2025, growing at a rate of 5.7%. Moreover, it is the biggest contributor to the Punjab’s GDP, accounting for over 10 percent, and has an average annual GDP (nominal) of $20.5 billion. Further, Its key industries are agriculture and industry.
4. Rawalpindi
Rawalpindi, which is located in the Punjab province of Pakistan, is the capital city of the Rawalpindi Division. While, it is the fourth-largest city proper in Pakistan, as well as, the larger Islamabad-Rawalpindi metropolitan area is actually the country’s third largest metropolitan area. Moreover, Rawalpindi is adjacent to Pakistan’s capital city of Islamabad, and the two are often referred to as the “twin cities” because of the strong social and economic ties between them.
Rawalpindi is a vibrant city with a long and rich history. It is home to a number of important historical landmarks, including the famous Raja Bazar, which is one of the largest markets in Pakistan.
5. Gujranwala
Gujranwala is a city located in Pakistan and is the capital of the Gujranwala Division. It is also known as the “City of Wrestlers” and is famous for its food. In addition to, Gujranwala is the 5th most populous metropolitan area and the 5th most populous city in Pakistan. It was founded in the 18th century and is relatively modern compared to the many nearby cities that have been around for millennia.
Gujranwala is now one of Pakistan’s most important industrial centers, after Karachi and Faisalabad. Further, it contributes 5-9% of the country’s GDP and is part of a network of large urban centers in northeast Punjab province that form one of Pakistan’s most highly industrialized regions. Along with the nearby cities of Sialkot and Gujrat, Gujranwala forms part of the so-called “Golden Triangle” of industrial cities with export-oriented economies.
6. Peshawar
Peshawar, which is also known as Purushapura, is the capital of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and its largest city. It is the sixth-largest city in Pakistan and the largest city with a Pashtun majority.
The city is situated in the Valley of Peshawar east of the historic Khyber Pass and near the border with Afghanistan. And, Peshawar’s recorded history dates back to 539 BCE, making it one of the oldest cities in Pakistan and in South Asia.
7. Multan
Multan is the capital of the Multan Division in Punjab, Pakistan. It is located on the bank of the Chenab River and is the 7th largest city in Pakistan. Multan has a deep history stretching back into antiquity. And, it is a major cultural and economic center for Southern Punjab.
Multan was a key trading hub in medieval Islamic India, and was known for being home to many Sufi mystics in the 11th and 12th centuries. Moreover, The city was given the nickname “City of Saints” because of the large number of Sufi shrines located there. Multan, along with the nearby city of Uch, is especially renowned for its numerous historical Sufi shrines.
Multan is a bustling city of over 1.5 million people. It is an important industrial center and is home to a number of historical sites and landmarks. The top 10 places to visit in Multan are not only the shrines as the city hosts but a variety of historical landmarks. .The city is well worth a visit and is sure to leave you with a lasting impression.
8. Hyderabad
Hyderabad is the second-largest city in the Sindh province of Pakistan. It is located about 150 kilometers inland from Karachi, the largest city in Pakistan. Hyderabad is connected to Karachi by a direct railway and the M-9 motorway. In fact, the city is a major industrial and economic center in Pakistan.
9. Islamabad
Islamabad serves as the capital city of Pakistan and falls under the Pakistani federal government’s administration as part of the Islamabad Capital Territory. As well as, it ranks as the ninth-largest city in Pakistan. Apart from just being the capital of Pakistan, Islamabad has a lot more to offer to tourists. For your ease, there are the top 10 places to visit in Islamabad, that you should never forget to visit. The city was purposely built as a planned city in the 1960s to supersede Rawalpindi as Pakistan’s capital. Furthermore, Islamabad is widely known for its high quality of life, safety, and abundance of greenery.
Islamabad has been rated as a Gamma+ city by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network. Infact, It is the most expensive city to live in Pakistan and is mostly populated by middle and upper middle class citizens.
10. Quetta
The city of Quetta is the provincial capital of Balochistan and the largest city in the province. It is also the 10th largest city in Pakistan. Moreover, The city was largely destroyed in the 1935 Quetta earthquake but was rebuilt afterwards. And, according to the 2017 census, the population of Quetta is 1,001,205.
Quetta is at an average elevation of 1,680 meters (5,510 feet) above sea level, making it Pakistan’s only high-altitude major city. In addition to, The city is known as the “Fruit Garden of Pakistan,” due to the numerous fruit orchards in and around it, and the large variety of fruits and dried fruit products produced there.
