Noorpur Thal was raised to the level of Town Committee in 1976. After the implementation of Punjab Local Government Ordinance 2001, it was given the status of MC.

The district is named after its most important city, Khushab. The word Khushab is derived from two persian words ‘Khush’ and ‘Aab’ meaning good or pleasant potable water.

There are different legends about the origin of this name. For instance, one local tradition ascribes it to Sher Shah Suri who happened to drink water from river Jhelum which now flows at a distance of about 3 kilometers from the city of Khushab. He found the river water refreshing, sweet and invigorating. His instant response was to call it ‘Khush Aab’.