# Chaklala

Chaklala is a major suburban town of Rawalpindi in the Punjab province of Pakistan. It covers an area of 34.01 km$^2$ (13.13 sq mi) (8,405 acres). The population of the town is 333,115 according to the 2023 census.
Chaklala is one of the three components of Rawalpindi Tehsil (sub-district) together with Rawalpindi Metropolitan Corporation and Rawalpindi Cantonment. The tehsil is part of the wider Islamabad–Rawalpindi metropolitan area, which has a population of more than 6 million people.
It is situated astride the Airport Road, to the east of Grand Trunk Road on the main railway line. The town has its own railway station Chaklala Railway Station which is located less than 1 kilometer away from Benazir Bhutto International Airport. The area also has modern housing schemes namely Gulzar-e-Quaid, Chaklala Housing Schemes I, II & III, Askari - I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VIII, IX, X & XII with a rapidly diminishing rural area.
There is a large commercial market situated in Chaklala Scheme III which is the major shopping area for all the residents in Chaklala. The market comprises a lot of restaurants and shopping areas and a hang out spot for the younger people. There is also a cinema and retail complex located in Jinnah Park on the airport road which is another area where residents venture out during evenings.

## Demography

Chaklala has a population of around 333,115 according to the 2023 census.
The major ethnic groups in the area are Potohari, Punjabis and Pashtuns. A large number of Kashmiris have also settled in the area after independence in 1947. Since Chaklala is a major army garrison and an airforce base as well, a large number of military families are also housed here from all over Pakistan. Chaklala Airforce Base provides strategic transport to Pakistan's political and military leadership.

## Chaklala Cantonment

The Chaklala Garrison is a principle military locality within Chaklala area of Rawalpindi. The Joint Staff Headquarters (JS HQ), and PAF Base Nur Khan, are currently situated in the Chaklala. Most of the military facilities, buildings, mobility support workshops have been built by the British Army and the Royal Air Force during times of India under British monarchy. In 2002, the Ministry of Defence had split the Chaklala from larger Rawalpindi Cantonment to improve security around the Army GHQ and provide better administration among the military headquarters of the Pakistani military. Before 2002, Rawalpindi Cantonment was the largest of all cantonments in Pakistan which was creating administrative problems in providing municipal services due to rapid urban growth.
Chaklala Airbase, recently renamed as PAF Base Nur Khan, is an important air base of the Pakistan Air Force. The headquarters of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Pakistan are located in the high-security Pakistan Army garrison.

## Transportation
### Roads
#### Grand Trunk Road

Grand Trunk Road (N-5) passes through the area.

#### Airport Road

This major route connects the area with the city center of Rawalpindi and provides a route to the capital city of Islamabad. It extends from the Ammar Shaheed Chowk Roundabout to the Koraal Chowk/Koraal Chowk Intersection. The Benazir Bhutto International Airport and the adjacent Pakistan Air Force Base Chaklala are located along this road. It is a modern six-lane road. Two fly-overs have been constructed to reduce the load of traffic at the busiest sections of the road, closer to the Ammar Shaheed Chowk Roundabout (2009) and at Koral Chowk (2017), respectively. The route serves as the main artery connecting the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

#### Rawal Road

It runs along the western perimeter of the Benazir Bhutto International Airport. The road connects the busy traffic arteries of Benazir Bhutto Road alternatively known as Murree Road and Airport Road. It is a newly carpeted four-lane road.

### Railway

Railway line of Pakistan Railways passes through the town. The area has a railway station, the Chaklala Railway Station. An associated strategic dry port, the Chaklala Dry Port, handles cargo trains.

### Airport

Benazir Bhutto International Airport is an important landmark of the area, located at Chaklala which is technically a part of Rawalpindi.

## Parks

In 2006, Jinnah Park (Urdu: جناح پارک) was inaugurated in Chaklala and has since become a hotspot of activity for the city of Rawalpindi. It houses a state-of-the-art cinema, Cinepax, a Metro Cash and Carry supermart, an outlet of McDonald's, gaming lounges, Motion Rides and other recreational facilities. The vast lawns also provide an adequate picnic spot.

## Pakistan Television Corporation

Pakistan Television Corporation's Islamabad Centre was initially set up at Chaklala before it was shifted to its present location in Islamabad.

## Educational institutions

* Army Public School & College For Boys Chaklala Garrison
* Army Public School & College For Girls Chaklala Garrison
* Joint Staff Public School and College, Chaklala
* FG Quaid-e-Azam Public School
* Pakistan Air Force College Chaklala (PAF Base Chaklala)
* Fazaia Intermediate College, Chaklala (PAF Base Chaklala)
* Fazaia Intermediate College, Jinnah Camp, Chaklala (Khanna Road)
* Bilquis College of Education for Women (Mujahida Academy)
* Army Public School and College (FWO campus), Gracy Lines, Chaklala
* FG Boys High School, Gracy Lines, Chaklala
* FG Girls High School, Gracy Lines, Chaklala
* Fauji Foundation Model School, Chaklala
* Sir Syed Science College, Chaklala
* Allied Schools, Chaklala
* Army Public School
* JS Public School
* FG Public School
* Army Public School
* Government Degree College For Women
* The Educators School System, Airport Road Campus