After the formation of Pakistan in 1947, it was felt that a new and permanent Capital City had to be built to reflect the diversity of the Pakistani nation. It was considered pertinent to locate the new capital where it could be isolated from the business and commercial activity of the Karachi, and yet be easily accessible from the remotest corner of the country.
A commission was accordingly set in motion in 1958, entrusted with the task of selecting a suitable site for the new capital with a particular emphasis on location, climate, logistics and defense requirements, aesthetics, and scenic and natural beauty.
After extensive research, feasibility studies and a thorough review of various sites, the commission recommended the area North East of the historic garrison city of Rawalpindi. After the final decision of the National Cabinet, it was put into practice. A Greek firm, Doxiadis Associates devised a master plan based on a grid system, with its north facing the Margallah Hills. The long-term plan was that Islamabad would eventually encompass Rawalpindi entirely, stretching to the West of the historic Grand Trunk road.
Islamabad nestles against the backdrop of the Margallah Hills at the northern end of Potohar Plateau. Its climate is healthy, pollution free, plentiful in water resources and lush green. It is a modern and carefully planned city with wide roads and avenues, elegant public buildings and well-organized bazaars, markets, and shopping centers.
The city is divided into eight basic zones: Administrative, diplomatic enclave, residential areas, educational sectors, industrial sectors, commercial areas, and rural and green areas.
The metropolis of Islamabad today is the pulsating beat of Pakistan, resonating with the energy and strength of a growing, developing nation. It is a city which symbolizes the hopes and dreams of a young and dynamic nation and espouses the values and codes of the generation that has brought it thus far. It is a city that welcomes and promotes modern ides, but at the same time recognizes and cherishes its traditional values and rich history.
As Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, and the country’s 10th largest city.
While Islamabad is considered a “fairly young city” it still has thousands of years of history behind it, and is the site of one of the earliest human settlements in Asia. However it wasn’t till 1960 that Islamabad was “designed and built” as the official capital of Pakistan. Islamabad is one of the few planned cities in Pakistan with a well-developed infrastructure and considered one of the most well-planned cities in South Asia. Islamabad offers a healthy climate, pollution free atmosphere, plenty of water and lush green areas. It is a modern and carefully planned city with wide tree shaded streets, elegant public buildings and well-organised business districts. The straight, tree lined streets of Islamabad all look confusingly similar. But it is easy to find one’s way around by using the Margalla Hills, which rise up on the north edge of the city, as a reference point.
Islamabad has all the amenities of any large city with good restaurants, museums, shopping, and an increasingly vibrant light life. One may shop in traditional open air markets as well as Western style stores and shopping malls.
Islamabad has an extreme climate with hot summers and monsoon rains coming during July and August, along with fairly cold winters. The weather ranges from a minimum of −3.9 °C (25.0 °F) in January to a maximum of 46.1 °C (115.0 °F) in June.
Islamabad is served by Benazir Bhutto International Airport. Public transportation is taxi and hired cars.
Islamabad population is 901,137 (1998)
+92 is the international dialing code for Pakistan and
51 is the area code for Islamabad
51 is the area code for Islamabad
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