city, east-central Punjab province, east-central Pakistan. The city was founded in 1865 and named for Sir Robert Montgomery, then lieutenant governor of the Punjab. It is connected by rail and road with Lahore and is an important cotton centre, with ginning factories and carpet production. It was constituted a municipality in 1867. Institutions include a hospital and several colleges affiliated with the University of the Punjab.

The city lies in the densely populated region between the Sutlej and Ravi rivers. Irrigation in the region is provided by the Bari Doab Canal system. The principal crops are wheat, cotton, tobacco, legumes, and oilseeds. Cotton goods and lacquered woodwork are manufactured. Southwest of Sahiwal is Harappa, the site of the earliest-known urban culture of the Indian subcontinent. About 28 miles (45 km) west of Sahiwal, at Kamalia, is the site of a Malli city captured by Alexander the Great in 325 BC. Pop. (1998) city, 207,388.