Pathankot is at the meeting point of the three northern states of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. Due to its ideal location, Pathankot serves as a travel hub for the three northerly states. Pathankot is the ninth most populous city in the state of Punjab. It is the last city in Punjab on the national highway towards Jammu and Kashmir. Situated in the foothills of Kangra and Dalhousie, with the river Chakki flowing close by, the city is often used as a rest-stop before heading into the mountains of Jammu and Kashmir, Dalhousie, Chamba, and Kangra, deep into the Himalayas.
Pathankot is a municipal corporation in the Indian state of Punjab, and became part of Gurdaspur district and recently in 2011 it has become the headquarters of Pathankot district in Punjab, India serves as the capital of the Pathankot district. Pathankot includes the two sub-divisions of Pathankot and Dhar Kalan and the two sub-tehsils of Narot Jaimal Singh and Bamial. The district today comprises 421 revenue villages, and the headquarters is in Pathankot.