Khewra Salt Mine is the largest salt mine in Pakistan and the second-largest salt mine in the world. It is located in Khewra, District Jhelum, in the Punjab province. The mine lies in the famous Salt Range and is well-known for producing the world-famous pink Himalayan salt. Every year, around 250,000 tourists visit the mine to see its natural beauty and historical tunnels. The temperature inside stays cool throughout the year at 18–20°C.

The mine has a very long history. It was discovered in 326 BC, when the army of Alexander the Great passed through the area. The discovery happened when soldiers noticed their horses licking salty rocks. During the Mughal era, Khewra salt was traded widely in local and Central Asian markets. After the decline of the Mughals, the mine was controlled by the Sikhs, and later, in 1872, the British took over. The British modernized the mine by building tunnels, storage areas, water supply systems, and proper mining pathways.

After the creation of Pakistan, different organizations managed the mine. First BMR controlled it until 1956. Then PIDC managed it till 1965. After the 1965 war, WPIDC took control. Finally, in 1974, the Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC) became the official owner and still operates the mine today. The modern mining system of the Khewra Salt Mine is now 150 years old.

Khewra Salt Mine is located about 160 km from both Islamabad and Lahore. It lies near the Lilla Interchange on the M-2 Motorway. The mine entrance is about 288 meters above sea level, and the tunnels reach 730 meters inside the mountain. The underground area covers almost 110 square kilometres. The mine has 19 levels, out of which 11 are below ground, and its tunnels stretch nearly 40 kilometres.

The salt in Khewra is extremely old—about 540 million years old. It was formed naturally through ancient geological processes. The Salt Range consists of layers of halite (salt), gypsum, dolomite, marl, and other minerals. Khewra salt contains small amounts of iron, zinc, copper, and manganese, which give it its pink and reddish colours. Scientists estimate that the mine holds between 82 million and 600 million tons of salt, enough to last hundreds of years.

Khewra produces around 350,000 tons of salt every year. During early British rule: 28,000–30,000 tons per year. By 1946–47: 187,400 tons per year. By 2003: 385,000 tons per year. The mine uses the room-and-pillar method. In this method, only half of the salt is removed, while the other half is left behind to hold up the structure and keep the mine safe.

Khewra salt is used for many purposes including Cooking and food seasoning, Bath salts and spa treatments, Brine solutions, Chemical industries, especially soda ash production, Decorative items such as lamps, vases, statues, candle stands and showpieces. These decorative items are exported worldwide, especially to the USA, Europe, and India. Crafting salt items began during the Mughal era, and the tradition continues today.

Khewra Salt Mine is one of Pakistan’s top tourist destinations. Visitors enter the mine through a small historic train called the Khewra Salt Mines Railway. Inside, there are beautiful brine pools, glowing salt formations, and famous salt-built structures such as: Badshahi Masjid made of salt bricks, Minar-e-Pakistan, Statue of Allama Iqbal, Model of Great Wall of China, Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors), Pul-Saraat and a salt bridge suspended over a deep brine pond without pillars. There is also the large Assembly Hall, which is 75 meters high.

In 2007, a 20-bed salt therapy clinic was opened inside the mine. This clinic helps people suffering from asthma and respiratory diseases by allowing them to breathe purified salt air. Many patients visit this clinic for natural healing.

The government has developed the mine several times. In 2003, new tourist facilities were added at a cost of 9 million rupees. A modern clinic was added in 2007 for 10 million rupees. Pakistan Railways began special tourist trains from Lahore and Rawalpindi in 2011. The Khewra railway station was upgraded with private support. These facilities help make Khewra a safe, enjoyable, and educational tourist destination.