Lyallpur, Punjab irrigation system gifts of British Raj: Grant
May 06, 2006
FAISALABAD: History has proved beyond any doubt that the decision to colonise Lyallpur and set up world’s largest irrigation system in the Punjab were among the few important and correct decisions taken by the British Raj during its 200 years rule, said British High Commissioner Mark Lyall Grant.
Addressing a function at the Golf Club to pay tributes to the legends of Faisalabad in connection with the centenary celebrations of Lyallpur (Faisalabad) here on Thursday night, Mark Lyall Grant, who is also a direct descendent of Sir James Broadwood Lyall, founder of Lyallpur, said Faisalabad is like his ancestral town. Lyallpur had been planned as a market town on the pattern of Union Jack with Clock Tower in its middle flanked by eight bazaars, he added.
Grant said the other landmark decision of the Raj was to set up an irrigation system in the Punjab, which comprised 36,000-miles-long gravity flowing canals.
He voiced satisfaction over the speedy development of Faisalabad and said it has now emerged as the “textile capital” of the world. He described the city as the land of opportunities and particularly lauded the dynamic and innovative approach of its inhabitants. “This land has also produced some legendary personalities who immensely influenced every field of life, including politics, business and sports, etc, with their God-gifted qualities of head and heart,” Grant said, adding that the British High Commission was fully cooperating with local authorities to streamline future development of the city.
Grant stressed the need for more recreational facilities for its inhabitants. “I have talked to the city district Nazim and the district coordination officer while the British High Commission will also provide necessary support in this regard,” he said.
Earlier, Chaudhry Mushtaq Ali Cheema in his welcome address highlighted the phenomenal progress made by Faisalabad in all walks of life and said the government was making efforts to strengthen its basic and fundamental infrastructure to gear up the pace of uplift.
Addressing a function at the Golf Club to pay tributes to the legends of Faisalabad in connection with the centenary celebrations of Lyallpur (Faisalabad) here on Thursday night, Mark Lyall Grant, who is also a direct descendent of Sir James Broadwood Lyall, founder of Lyallpur, said Faisalabad is like his ancestral town. Lyallpur had been planned as a market town on the pattern of Union Jack with Clock Tower in its middle flanked by eight bazaars, he added.
Grant said the other landmark decision of the Raj was to set up an irrigation system in the Punjab, which comprised 36,000-miles-long gravity flowing canals.
He voiced satisfaction over the speedy development of Faisalabad and said it has now emerged as the “textile capital” of the world. He described the city as the land of opportunities and particularly lauded the dynamic and innovative approach of its inhabitants. “This land has also produced some legendary personalities who immensely influenced every field of life, including politics, business and sports, etc, with their God-gifted qualities of head and heart,” Grant said, adding that the British High Commission was fully cooperating with local authorities to streamline future development of the city.
Grant stressed the need for more recreational facilities for its inhabitants. “I have talked to the city district Nazim and the district coordination officer while the British High Commission will also provide necessary support in this regard,” he said.
Earlier, Chaudhry Mushtaq Ali Cheema in his welcome address highlighted the phenomenal progress made by Faisalabad in all walks of life and said the government was making efforts to strengthen its basic and fundamental infrastructure to gear up the pace of uplift.
