Why Sargodha Is Famous
Ask a Pakistani what Sargodha is known for and you will usually hear two answers within seconds: oranges and the air force. There is more to it than that, but those two explain most of the city's identity.
Last updated: October 2026
Quick answer
Sargodha is famous for kinnow, a citrus fruit grown in huge quantities in the district; for PAF Base Mushaf, headquarters of the Pakistan Air Force's Central Air Command; for the Kirana Hills; and for being the education and administrative centre of Sargodha Division. Its nicknames are the City of Eagles and the California of Pakistan.
Key facts
- Best known crop
- Kinnow (citrus)
- Nicknames
- City of Eagles, California of Pakistan
- Air base
- PAF Base Mushaf
- Landmark hills
- Kirana Hills
- 1966 honour
- Hilal-e-Istaqlal flag
- Role
- Capital of Sargodha Division
Kinnow and the citrus belt
Sargodha district is one of the best citrus-producing regions in Pakistan and is widely described as the largest kinnow-producing district in the world. Kinnow is a mandarin-type orange that ripens in winter, and growers across the district supply fruit to markets in every province. A large share is exported. This is the reason Sargodha is called the California of Pakistan.
Alongside citrus, the district grows wheat, rice, sugarcane, cotton and vegetables, and agriculture remains the backbone of the local economy. The city also hosts rice-processing plants, textile mills and juice and food factories, plus fruit and vegetable markets that become very busy in the kinnow season.
PAF Base Mushaf and the City of Eagles
Sargodha is home to PAF Base Mushaf, formerly PAF Base Sargodha, widely described as Pakistan's largest air base. It hosts the headquarters of the Pakistan Air Force's Central Air Command and the Combat Commanders School, formerly the Fighter Leaders School. The base traces back to the airfield the Royal Air Force built here, and it is the main reason for the nickname City of Eagles.
The air force presence also shapes daily life in the city. PAF College Sargodha, established in 1953, PAF Public School and PAF Hospital are all linked to it, and many families in the city have a connection to the service.
The Kirana Hills
The Kirana Hills are a small, rocky range near the city, sometimes called the Black Mountains because of their dark brown colour. The highest point is about 300 metres, or 980 feet. In a district that is otherwise flat farmland, they stand out, and they are a commonly visited spot for day trips from the city.
Education and administration hub
Sargodha is the capital of a division of four districts with a combined population of about 9.6 million, so people travel here for courts, offices, hospitals and colleges. The University of Sargodha, Sargodha Medical College, several private university campuses, law colleges and the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Sargodha, make it the education centre of the region. Literacy in the city was recorded at about 80 per cent in 2017.
Honoured for the 1965 war
In 1966 Sargodha, along with Lahore and Sialkot, was awarded the Hilal-e-Istaqlal flag for its resistance during the 1965 war. The flag is raised in all three cities every year on Defence Day, 6 September. For many residents this remains a point of local pride.
Markets, malls and food
Sargodha's older markets are organised by trade: Sarafa Bazaar for gold and jewellery, Urdu Bazaar for books and stationery, Kachehry Bazaar for bakeries, street food and shoes, and Model Bazaar for groceries and garments. Newer shopping malls and international fast-food chains sit alongside them. There is also a Food Street on Stadium Road.
Well-known people from Sargodha
- Feroz Khan Noon, former Prime Minister of Pakistan
- Hameed Gul, former Director General of the ISI
- Mohammad Hafeez, former Pakistan cricket captain
- Neelo, film actress
- Tariq Masood and Farhat Hashmi, Islamic scholars
- Fatima Zahra, first Pakistani woman to win a Commonwealth Games boxing medal
Frequently asked questions
Why is Sargodha famous?
Mainly for kinnow oranges, for PAF Base Mushaf and the Pakistan Air Force, for the Kirana Hills, and for being the education and administrative centre of Sargodha Division.
Why is Sargodha called the California of Pakistan?
Because the district is one of the best citrus-growing regions in the country and is widely described as the world's largest kinnow-producing district.
Why is Sargodha called the City of Eagles?
Because of PAF Base Mushaf and its role as the home of the Pakistan Air Force's Central Air Command.
What is kinnow?
Kinnow is a mandarin-type citrus fruit that ripens in winter. It is the main cash crop of Sargodha district and is sold across Pakistan and exported abroad.
What are the Kirana Hills?
A small rocky range near Sargodha, locally called the Black Mountains, whose highest peak is about 300 metres.