Pakistan's "City of Fragrances": Multan (Khushboon Ka Shehar)

The Pakistani city known as "Khushboon ka Shehar" (Urdu: خوشبو کا شہر — "City of Fragrances") is Multan, Punjab.

Why Multan?

• Perfume/attar industry: Centuries-old distillation of rose, jasmine, sandalwood, khus (vetiver), saffron.
• Sufi shrines: Bahauddin Zakariya, Shah Rukn-e-Alam — pilgrims buy scented offerings.
• Climate/soil: Arid, alluvial — ideal for aromatic crops (rosa damascena, jasmine).
• Bazaars: Chowk Bazaar, Hussain Agahi — rows of attar shops (hand-blown glass bottles).

Other Nicknames

• "City of Saints" (Sufi heritage).
• "City of Dust" (archaic, pre-irrigation).
• "Multan, the Ancient" — 5,000+ years continuous habitation.

Modern Industry

Multan's attars exported to Middle East, Europe. Government supports via "Multan Industrial Estate" for essential oils/cosmetics.