Allama Iqbal Town Lahore: A Complete Guide to the Area
Allama Iqbal Town is one of the largest and most established residential areas of Lahore. It is located in the south western part of the city, between the Multan Road and the Wahdat Road. Allama Iqbal Town is known for its many alphabetical blocks, its busy markets and its famous Gulshan e Iqbal Park, along with the Karim Block Market, the Moon Market and the Lahore campus of the Allama Iqbal Open University. For anyone getting to know Lahore, Allama Iqbal Town represents a vast, self contained and lively community that blends comfortable living with bustling business area.
This guide explains what Allama Iqbal Town is, how it began, its blocks, its markets, its facilities and its property market.
Allama Iqbal Town
Allama Iqbal Town is a large residential and commercial locality located in the Iqbal Zone of south western Lahore, covering a vast area of around 1,600 acres. It is commonly known simply as Iqbal Town. It is named after Allama Muhammad Iqbal, the national poet of the country. It was previously called Sola Sau Acre in Urdu, meaning 1,600 acres.
Allama Iqbal Town is a planned and organised area, famous for its organised streets and its many residential blocks. The area blends residential living with strong commercial activity. Families favour it because markets, schools and hospitals lie a short distance away. The main boulevard is one of the busiest roads in the city. This blend of scale, organisation and amenities makes it one of the most established areas of the city.
Quick answer: Allama Iqbal Town is a large residential and commercial area located in south western Lahore, between the Multan Road and the Wahdat Road. Covering around 1,600 acres, it is named after the national poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal. Allama Iqbal Town is known for its alphabetical blocks, the Karim Block Market, the Moon Market and the Gulshan e Iqbal Park.
How the town was built
Allama Iqbal Town took shape in the late twentieth century. Development began in the late 1970s and early 1980s by the firm Hassan Zaman Pvt Limited. It was planned as an organised residential and commercial area on the south western side of the city. It expanded across its 1,600 acres into a densely populated area with many blocks, markets, parks and institutions.
Allama Iqbal Town has a colourful connection with the film industry. It rose to fame in the late 1980s when the film industry, known as Lollywood, was at its peak. The Shahnoor Studios and the Bari Studios are located very close to the area. Many film actors used to live here in those years, though most have since moved to the newer suburban areas. The recently built Maulana Shaukat Ali Road has added further value to the area.
A tour of the blocks
Allama Iqbal Town is organised into around twenty two to twenty six residential blocks, each listed by name. They include the Karim Block, the Kamran Block, the Gulshan Block, the Ravi Block, the Raza Block, the Nishtar Block, the Nizam Block, the Pak Block, the College Block and many others, from the Asif Block to the Zeenat Block. Each block is a settled residential neighbour hood with its own small markets, mosques and parks.
The Karim Block is one of the most famous and well developed blocks, known for its central location, its commercial market and its easy access to the rest of the city. It is home to the busy Karim Block Market, one of the leading commercial areas of Allama Iqbal Town. The main boulevard runs through the area, connecting the Multan Road to the Wahdat Road with the blocks branching off from this central spine.
The markets and the park
Allama Iqbal Town is famous for its markets. These are among the busiest in the city and draw shoppers from across it. The Karim Block Market, along the Wahdat Road, houses hundreds of retail and wholesale garment outlets, along with pharmacies, grocery stores and eateries. It is home to many factory outlets of well known brands, offering clothing at discounted rates. It caters to brand conscious and budget shoppers alike.
The Moon Market is another leading commercial hub, filled with local brands, shops, plazas, gift centres, bookstores and crockery shops. A notable feature is the eight storey parking plaza next to it. This can hold around 400 vehicles and 500 bikes and has eased the traffic near the Dubai Chowk.
The Gulshan e Iqbal Park is the green heart of Allama Iqbal Town, opened to the public in April 1982. It is known for its lush green gardens, its rides, its food stalls and its boating area, along with an artificial waterfall and an artificial hill for climbing. Families spend their holidays enjoying the rides, the food and the winter sunshine there.
Schools, hospitals and services
Allama Iqbal Town offers a full range of facilities within its boundaries, letting residents find education, healthcare, shopping and recreation without travelling far. It is a notable educational hub, home to the Lahore campus of the Allama Iqbal Open University, the oldest open university in the country, located in the Raza Block, along with several schools and colleges. This makes it a good choice for families with children.
Allama Iqbal Town is well served by healthcare and everyday services. Numerous hospitals and clinics serve the area, including the Farooq Hospital, the Al Shafi Hospital and the Munawar Medical Complex. Many banks operate in the area, along with fuel stations at various points. The Karim Block Market, the Moon Market and the block markets provide shops, groceries and services, so daily needs are met within the neighbour hood.
Homes, plots and investment
Allama Iqbal Town is one of the most active property markets in the south western part of the city, prized for its central location, its markets and its facilities. The residential options include houses of five marla, ten marla, one kanal and two kanal, along with plots, flats and apartments. The commercial options include shops, plazas, outlets and semi commercial properties, so it suits a range of buyers and budgets. Families are drawn to its markets, schools and parks, businesspeople to its commercial markets and investors to its steady demand. It is important to note that property prices vary widely by block and property type and change over time. Buyers should rely on official sources and verified dealers and check current prices carefully, as this guide does not offer financial advice.
Getting around and nearby areas
Allama Iqbal Town is located in the south western part of Lahore, bounded by the Multan Road to the west and north and the Wahdat Road to the south. This central position places it within easy reach of the major areas and roads of the city, very close to the Ferozepur Road. The Speedo Bus Service and the local transport cover it as a main route. The Metro Bus track runs close to the area. Nearby localities include the Wahdat Colony, Garden Town, Sabzazar, Samanabad, Shadman and Ichhra. The Shahnoor Studios and the Bari Studios lie close by. This places Allama Iqbal Town within a busy, established zone of the south western city.
Places near Allama Iqbal Town
Allama Iqbal Town is located within reach of many areas and useful places in the south western part of Lahore. Garden Town lies nearby, along with the Wahdat Colony, Sabzazar, Samanabad, Shadman and Ichhra. The Ferozepur Road and the Multan Road connect it to the rest of the city.
The Gulshan e Iqbal Park lies within Allama Iqbal Town. The Karim Block Market and the Moon Market serve shoppers. The Allama Iqbal Open University campus is in the Raza Block. The Shahnoor Studios and the Bari Studios lie close by. The central city with The Mall and Anarkali Bazaar, lies to the north east. Gulberg is within reach.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Allama Iqbal Town located? Allama Iqbal Town is located in the south western part of Lahore, between the Multan Road and the Wahdat Road. It is very close to the Ferozepur Road and near areas such as Garden Town, Sabzazar, Samanabad and Ichhra.
Why is it called Allama Iqbal Town? Allama Iqbal Town is named after Allama Muhammad Iqbal, the national poet of the country. The area was previously known by its Urdu name, Sola Sau Acre, meaning 1,600 acres, a reference to the vast area it covers.
What are the main markets in Allama Iqbal Town? The main markets are the Karim Block Market, one of the busiest market areas in the city, known for garments and factory outlets. The other is the Moon Market, known for local brands, shops and plazas. The Moon Market has an eight storey parking plaza next to it.
How many blocks does Allama Iqbal Town have? Allama Iqbal Town consists of around twenty two to twenty six residential blocks, each listed by name. These include the Karim Block, the Kamran Block, the Gulshan Block, the Ravi Block, the Raza Block and many others, from the Asif Block to the Zeenat Block.
What is the Gulshan e Iqbal Park? The Gulshan e Iqbal Park is a large park in Allama Iqbal Town, opened to the public in April 1982. It is known for its green gardens, its rides, its food stalls, its boating area, an artificial waterfall and an artificial hill for climbing. Families visit it for recreation.
Is Allama Iqbal Town good for property investment? Allama Iqbal Town is a stable and active property market, prized for its central location, markets and facilities. Prices vary by block and property type and change over time. Buyers should rely on official sources and verified dealers and check current prices, as this guide does not offer financial advice.
Allama Iqbal Town is one of the largest and most established residential areas of Lahore and a vast, self contained community. Developed in the late 1970s and early 1980s and named after the national poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal, it has grown across its 1,600 acres into a bustling area of many alphabetical blocks. Its organised streets, its busy markets and its famous Gulshan e Iqbal Park make Allama Iqbal Town a lively and complete place to live.
Allama Iqbal Town brings together comfortable living, busy commerce and green recreation in one large area. Its Karim Block Market and Moon Market draw shoppers from across the city, while its schools, the Allama Iqbal Open University campus, its hospitals and its parks serve its residents. Its central location between the Multan Road and the Wahdat Road, close to the Ferozepur Road, keeps it well connected. It remains one of the most well rounded and bustling areas in Lahore whether you consider Allama Iqbal Town for a family home, a shopping trip to its markets or a stable investment.
