Islamabad

Islamabad (Template:IPAc-en;<ref>Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref> Template:Langx, Template:IPA; Template:Translation) is the capital city of Pakistan.<ref name="britannica">Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It is the country's tenth-most populous city with a population of over 1.1 million and is federally administered by the Pakistani government as part of the Islamabad Capital Territory. Built as a planned city in the 1960s and established in 1967, it replaced Karachi as Pakistan's national capital.

The Greek architect Constantinos Apostolou Doxiadis developed Islamabad's master plan, in which he divided it into eight zones; the city comprises administrative, diplomatic enclave, residential areas, educational and industrial sectors, commercial areas, as well as rural and green areas administered by the Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation with support from the Capital Development Authority. Islamabad is known for its parks and forests, including the Margalla Hills National Park and the Shakarparian. It is home to several landmarks, including the country's flagship Faisal Mosque, which is the world's sixth-largest mosque. Other prominent landmarks include the Pakistan Monument and Democracy Square.<ref name="Noyes Mass">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Ravi Kalia">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Rated as Gamma + by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Islamabad has one of the highest costs of living in Pakistan. The city's populace is dominated by both middle and upper-middle class citizens.<ref name="Hetland">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Islamabad is home to more than twenty universities, including Bahria University, Quaid-e-Azam University, PIEAS, COMSATS University, and NUST. It is also rated as one of the safest cities in Pakistan and has an expansive RFID-enabled surveillance system with almost 2,000 active CCTV cameras.<ref name="tribune.com.pk">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Toponymy

The name Islamabad means City of Islam. It is derived from two words; Islam and abad. The Arabic word Islam means "submission [to God]" as it refers to the religion of Islam, the Pakistan's state religion, and the Persian suffix -abad means cultivated place, indicating an inhabited place or city.<ref name="Adrian Room">Template:Cite book</ref> During the course of early modern period, the name was used in the Mughal era, by the emperor Aurangzeb who named many towns in the Indian subcontinent after it.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>Template:Efn According to a history book by Muhammad Ismail Zabeeh, teacher and poet Qazi Abdur Rehman Amritsari proposed the name of the city.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Occasionally in writing, Islamabad is colloquially abbreviated ISB. Such usage originated in SMS language, in part due to the IATA location identifier for the Islamabad International Airport.

History

Early history

Islamabad Capital Territory, located on the Pothohar Plateau of the northern Punjab region, is considered one of the earliest sites of human settlement in Asia. Some of the earliest Stone Age artefacts in the world have been found on the plateau, dating from 100,000 to 500,000 years ago. Rudimentary stones recovered from the terraces of the Soan River testify to the endeavours of early man in the inter-glacial period.<ref name="defence"/> Items of pottery and utensils dating back to prehistory have been found.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Excavations by Dr. Abdul Ghafoor Lone reveal evidence of a prehistoric culture in the area. Relics and human skulls have been found dating back to 5000 BCE that indicate the region was home to Neolithic peoples who settled on the banks of the Soan<ref name="Pakistan net">Template:Cite web</ref> and who later developed small communities in the region around 3000 BCE.<ref name="defence">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The Indus Valley civilization flourished in the region between the 23rd and 18th centuries BCE. Later the area was an early settlement of the Aryan community which migrated into the region from Central Asia.<ref name="Pakistan net"/> Many great armies such as those of Zahiruddin Babur, Genghis Khan, Timur and Ahmad Shah Durrani crossed the region during their invasions of the Indian subcontinent.<ref name="Pakistan net"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2015–16, the Federal Department of Archaeology and Museums, with the financial support of National Fund for Cultural Heritage, carried out initial archaeological excavations in which unearthed the remains of a Buddhist stupa at Ban Faqiran, near the Shah Allah Ditta caves, which was dated to the 2nd to the 4th century CE.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

• 15th-century Pharwala Fort beside the Swaan River
  15th-century Pharwala Fort beside the Swaan River
• The caves at Shah Allah Ditta, on Islamabad's outskirts, were part of an ancient Buddhist monastic community
  The caves at Shah Allah Ditta, on Islamabad's outskirts, were part of an ancient Buddhist monastic community
• The restored village of Saidpur predates the surrounding city of Islamabad
  The restored village of Saidpur predates the surrounding city of Islamabad

Construction and development

Template:Main When Pakistan gained independence in 1947, the southern port city of Karachi was its provisional national capital. In 1958, a commission was constituted to select a suitable site near Rawalpindi for the national capital with particular emphasis on location, climate, logistics, and defence requirements, along with other attributes. After extensive study, research, and a thorough review of potential sites, the commission recommended the area northeast of Rawalpindi in 1959 which was used as provisional capital from that year on.<ref name="New Orient"/><ref name="M. Bloom">Template:Cite book</ref> In the 1960s, Islamabad was constructed as a forward capital for several reasons.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Karachi was also located at the southern end of the country, and exposed to attacks from the Arabian Sea. Pakistan needed a capital that was easily accessible from all parts of the country.<ref name="New Orient">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name=Weightman>Template:Cite book</ref> Karachi, a business centre, was also considered unsuitable partly because of intervention of business interests in government affairs.<ref name=Saxon/> The newly selected location of Islamabad was closer to the army headquarters in Rawalpindi and the disputed territory of Kashmir in the north.<ref name="Pakistan net"/>

A Greek firm of architects, led by Konstantinos Apostolos Doxiadis, designed the master plan of the city based on a grid plan which was triangular in shape with its apex towards the Margalla Hills. The capital was not moved directly from Karachi to Islamabad; it was first shifted temporarily to Rawalpindi in the early 1960s and then to Islamabad when essential development work was completed in 1966.<ref name="Maneesha Tikekar">Template:Cite book</ref> In 1981, Islamabad separated from Punjab province to form Capital Territory. Such world-renowned architects as Edward Durell Stone and Gio Ponti have been associated with the city's development.<ref name="britannica" />

Recent history

File:Islamabad Metro Bus.JPG

The Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metrobus was built in 2015 to connect Islamabad with neighbouring Rawalpindi.

Islamabad has attracted people from all over Pakistan, making it one of the most cosmopolitan and urbanised cities of Pakistan. As the capital city it has hosted numerous important meetings, such as the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation summit in 2004.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The city suffered damage from the 2005 Kashmir earthquake which had a magnitude of 7.6.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Islamabad has experienced a series of terrorist incidents including the July 2007 Siege of Lal Masjid (Red Mosque), the June 2008 Danish embassy bombing, and the September 2008 Marriott bombing.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2011, four terrorism incidents occurred in the city, killing four people, including the murder of the Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer.<ref name="2011 terrorism">Template:Cite news</ref>

Construction of the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metrobus, the region's first mass transit line, began in February 2014 and was completed in March 2015. The Rawalpindi Development Authority built the project at a cost of approximately Rs 24 billion, which was shared by both the Federal government and the provincial government of Punjab.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Geography

• Satellite view of Islamabad-Rawalpindi Metropolitan Area with Margalla Hills in the north.
  Satellite view of Islamabad-Rawalpindi Metropolitan Area with Margalla Hills in the north.
• Margalla Hills, Islamabad
  Margalla Hills, Islamabad
• Islamabad's verdant cityscape merges with the Margalla Hills
  Islamabad's verdant cityscape merges with the Margalla Hills
• Islamabad's lush landscape
  Islamabad's lush landscape
• Islamabad's deciduous trees change colours in autumn
  Islamabad's deciduous trees change colours in autumn

Islamabad is located at Template:Coord at the northern edge of the Pothohar Plateau and at the foot of the Margalla Hills in Islamabad Capital Territory. Its elevation is Template:Convert.<ref name="D. Brunn">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The modern capital and the ancient Gakhar city of Rawalpindi form a conurbation and are commonly referred to as the Twin Cities.<ref name="Yasmeen Niaz">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=Saxon>Template:Cite news</ref>

To the northeast of the city lies the colonial era hill station of Murree, and to the north lies the Haripur District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Kahuta lies on the southeast, Taxila, Wah Cantt, and Attock District to the northwest, Gujar Khan, Rawat, and Mandrah on the southeast, and the metropolis of Rawalpindi to the south and southwest. Islamabad is located Template:Convert SSW of Muzaffarabad, Template:Convert east of Peshawar and Template:Convert NNW of Lahore.

Islamabad covers an area of Template:Convert.<ref>Butt, M. J., Waqas, A., Iqbal, M, F., Muhammad., G., and Lodhi, M. A. K., 2011, "Assessment of Urban Sprawl of Islamabad Metropolitan Area Using Multi-Sensor and Multi-Temporal Satellite Data." Arabian Journal For Science And Engineering. Digital Object Identifier (DOI): 10.1007/s13369-011-0148-3.</ref> A further Template:Convert area is known as the Specified Area, with the Margala Hills in the north and northeast. The southern portion of the city is an undulating plain. It is drained by the Kurang River, on which the Rawal Dam is located.<ref name="britannica" />

Climate

File:Margalla Hills Islamabad.jpg

Islamabad's annual precipitation allows for the growth of lush forests in the city's hills.

Islamabad has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen: Cwa), with five seasons: Winter (November–February), Spring (March and April), Summer (May and June), Rainy Monsoon (July and August) and Autumn (September and October). The hottest month is June, where average highs routinely exceed Template:Convert. The wettest month is July, with heavy rainfalls and evening thunderstorms with the possibility of cloudburst and flooding. The coolest month is January.

Islamabad's micro-climate is regulated by three artificial reservoirs: Rawal, Simli, and Khanpur Dam. The latter is located on the Haro River near the town of Khanpur, about Template:Convert from Islamabad. Simli Dam is Template:Convert north of Islamabad. Template:Convert of the city consists of Margalla Hills National Park. Loi Bher Forest is situated along the Islamabad Highway, covering an area of Template:Convert.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The highest monthly rainfall of Template:Convert was recorded during July 1995.<ref name="pakmet.com.pk">Template:Cite web</ref> Winters generally feature dense fog in the mornings and sunny afternoons. In the city, temperatures stay mild, with snowfall over the higher-elevation points on nearby hill stations, notably Murree and Nathia Gali. The temperatures range from Template:Convert in January to Template:Convert in June. The highest recorded temperature was Template:Convert on 23 June 2005 while the lowest temperature was Template:Convert on 17 January 1967.<ref name="archived-pakmet">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Light snowfall sometimes happens on the peaks of the hills visible from the city, though this is rare.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Snowfall does not occur in the city itself. On 23 July 2001, Islamabad received a record-breaking Template:Convert of rainfall in just 10 hours. It was the heaviest rainfall in Islamabad in the past 100 years and the highest rainfall in 24 hours as well.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Water supply is strained, leading to project proposals like the Ghazi Barotha water supply project. Template:Islamabad weatherbox

Cityscape

File:Islamabad Zone Map.png

Islamabad Zones

Civil administration

Template:See also The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration, generally known as ICT Administration or Islamabad Administration, is the civil administration as well as main law and order agency of the Federal Capital.

The local government authority of the city is the Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation (IMC) with some help from Capital Development Authority (CDA), which oversees the planning, development, construction, and administration of the city.<ref name="TN">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Islamabad Capital Territory is divided into eight zones: Administrative Zone, Commercial District, Educational Sector, Industrial Sector, Diplomatic Enclave, Residential Areas, Rural Areas and Green Area.<ref name="Islamabad.com">Template:Cite web</ref> Islamabad city is divided into five major zones: Zone I, Zone II, Zone III, Zone IV, and Zone V. Out of these, Zone IV is the largest in area.<ref name="map" /> Zone I consists mainly of all the developed residential sectors while Zone II consists of the under-developed residential sectors. Each residential sector is identified by a letter of the alphabet and a number, and covers an area of approximately 2 km × 2 km (Template:Frac mi × Template:Frac mi). The sectors are lettered from A to I, and each sector is divided into four numbered sub-sectors.<ref name="S. Hull">Template:Cite book</ref>

Zones in Islamabad
Zone	Area
	acres	km2
I	Template:Convert
II	Template:Convert
III	Template:Convert
IV	Template:Convert
V	Template:Convert
Source:	Lahore Real Estate<ref name="map">Template:Cite web</ref>

Sectors

File:Islamabad map.png

The five zones and sectors of Islamabad

Series A, B, and C are still underdeveloped. The D series has seven sectors (D-11 to D-17),<ref name="map"/> of which only sector D-12 is completely developed. This series is located at the foot of Margalla Hills.<ref name="Islamabad.com"/> The E Sectors are named from E-7 to E-17.<ref name="map"/> Many foreigners and diplomatic personnel are housed in these sectors.<ref name="Islamabad.com"/> In the revised Master Plan of the city, CDA has decided to develop a park on the pattern of Fatima Jinnah Park in sector E-14. Sectors E-8 and E-9 contain the campuses of Bahria University, Air University, and the National Defence University.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The F and G series contains the most developed sectors. F series contains sectors F-5 to F-17; some sectors are still under-developed.<ref name="map"/> F-5 is an important sector for the software industry in Islamabad, as the two software technology parks are located here. The entire F-9 sector is covered with Fatima Jinnah Park. The Centaurus complex is a major landmark of the F-8 sector.<ref name="Islamabad.com"/> G sectors are numbered G-5 through G-17.<ref name="map"/> Some important places include the Jinnah Convention Centre and Serena Hotel in G-5, the Red Mosque in G-6, the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, the largest medical complex in the capital, located in G-8,<ref name="Islamabad.com"/> and the Karachi Company shopping center in G-9.

The H sectors are numbered H-8 through H-17.<ref name="map"/> The H sectors are mostly dedicated to educational and health institutions. National University of Sciences and Technology covers a major portion of sector H-12.<ref name="Islamabad.com"/> The I sectors are numbered from I-8 to I-18. With the exception of I-8, which is a well-developed residential area, these sectors are primarily part of the industrial zone. Two sub-sectors of I-9 and one sub-sector of I-10 are used as industrial areas. CDA is planning to set up Islamabad Railway Station in Sector I-18 and Industrial City in sector I-17.<ref name="Islamabad.com"/> Zone III consists primarily of the Margalla Hills and Margalla Hills National Park. Rawal Lake is in this zone. Zone IV and V consist of Islamabad Park, and rural areas of the city. The Soan River flows into the city through Zone V.<ref name="map"/>

File:Islamabad skyline.jpg

Islamabad skyline

Islamabad–Rawalpindi metropolitan area

Template:Main When the master plan for Islamabad was drawn up in 1960, Islamabad and Rawalpindi, along with the adjoining areas, was to be integrated to form a large metropolitan area called Islamabad/Rawalpindi Metropolitan Area. The area would consist of the developing Islamabad, the old colonial cantonment city of Rawalpindi, and Margalla Hills National Park, including surrounding rural areas.<ref name="Dulyapak">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Isocarp">Template:Cite web</ref> However, Islamabad city is part of the Islamabad Capital Territory, while Rawalpindi is part of Rawalpindi District, which is part of province of Punjab.<ref name="USgov_pub">Template:Cite journal</ref>

Initially, it was proposed that the three areas would be connected by four major highways: Murree Highway, Islamabad Highway, Soan Highway, and Capital Highway. However, to date only two highways have been constructed: Kashmir Highway (the former Murree Highway) and Islamabad Highway.<ref name="Isocarp"/> Plans of constructing Margalla Avenue are also underway.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Islamabad is the hub all the governmental activities while Rawalpindi is the centre of all industrial, commercial, and military activities. The two cities are considered sister cities and are highly interdependent.<ref name="Dulyapak"/>

• Aerial view of The Centaurus
  Aerial view of The Centaurus
• Pakistan Secretariat
  Pakistan Secretariat
• Star and Crescent Monument near the start of Shakarparian
  Star and Crescent Monument near the start of Shakarparian
• Sunset over the Lake View Park
  Sunset over the Lake View Park
• Blue Area, the commercial hub of the city.
  Blue Area, the commercial hub of the city.
• Constitution Avenue
  Constitution Avenue
• Saidpur Village
  Saidpur Village

Architecture

File:Dewan Masjid Islamabad.jpg

Dewan Masjid Islamabad

File:F9 islamabad.jpg

Monument in F-9 Park

Islamabad's architecture is a combination of modernity and old Islamic and regional traditions. The Saudi-Pak Tower is an example of the integration of modern architecture with traditional styles. The beige-coloured edifice is trimmed with blue tile works in Islamic tradition, and is one of Islamabad's tallest buildings. Other examples of intertwined Islamic and modern architecture include Pakistan Monument and Faisal Mosque. Other notable structures are: Secretariat Complex designed by Gio Ponti, Prime Minister's secretariat based on Mughal architecture and the National Assembly by Edward Durell Stone.<ref name="M. Bloom"/>

The murals on the inside of the large petals of Pakistan Monument are based on Islamic architecture.<ref>National Monument — a symbol of unity Template:Webarchive. Daily Times. 30 March. Retrieved 23 March 2008</ref> The Shah Faisal Mosque is a fusion of contemporary architecture with a more traditional large triangular prayer hall and four minarets, designed by Vedat Dalokay, a Turkish architect and built with the help of funding provided by King Faisal of Saudi Arabia.<ref name="Lee Palmer">Template:Cite book</ref> The architecture of Faisal Mosque is unusual as it lacks a dome structure. It is a combination of Arabic, Turkish, and Mughal architectural traditions.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Centaurus is an example of modern architecture under construction in Islamabad. The seven star hotel was designed by WS Atkins PLC.The newly built Islamabad Stock Exchange Towers is another example of modern architecture in the city.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Demographics

Language

According to 2023 Pakistani census, there are 1,154,540 Punjabi, 415,838 Pashto, 358,922 Urdu, 140,780 Hindko, 51,920 Kashmiri, 46,270 Saraiki, 21,362 Sindhi, 10,315 Balti, 7,099 Shina, 5,016 Koshistani, 4,503 Balochi, 1,095 Mewati, 668 Brahvi, 182 Kalasha and 64,734 others, of total 2,283,244 speakers in Islamabad Capital Territory.

Literacy

As of 2010, the majority of the population lies in the age group of 15–64 years, around 59.38%. Only 2.73% of the population is above 65 years of age; 37.90% is below the age of 15.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Islamabad has the highest literacy rate in Pakistan, at 88%.<ref name=PBS>Template:Cite web</ref> 9.8% of the population has done intermediate education (equivalent to grades 11 and 12). 10.26% have a bachelor or equivalent degree while 5.2% have a master or equivalent degree.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The labour force of Islamabad is 185,213<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and the unemployment rate is 15.70%.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Religion

Template:Bar box In the Islamabad Capital Territory, Islam is the largest religion in the city, with 95.55% of the population following it. Christianity is the second largest religion is with 4.26% of the population following it. The Christians are concentrated mainly in the urban areas. Hinduism is followed by 0.04% of the population according to the 2023 census.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Economy

File:Ufone and ISE Tower Islamabad.jpg

Ufone Tower and ISE Tower

Islamabad is a net contributor to the Pakistani economy, as whilst having only 0.8% of the country's population, it contributes 1% to the country's GDP.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Islamabad Stock Exchange, founded in 1989, is Pakistan's third largest stock exchange after Karachi Stock Exchange and Lahore Stock Exchange, and was merged to form Pakistan Stock Exchange. The exchange had 118 members with 104 corporate bodies and 18 individual members. The average daily turnover of the stock exchange is over 1 million shares.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

According to the World Bank's Doing Business Report of 2010, Islamabad was ranked as the best place to start a business in Pakistan.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Islamabad's businesses are Pakistan's most compliant for paying tax dues.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:As of, Islamabad LTU (Large Tax Unit) was responsible for Rs 371 billion in tax revenue, which amounts to 20% of all the revenue collected by Federal Board of Revenue.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Islamabad has seen an expansion in information and communications technology with the addition two Software Technology Parks, which house numerous national and foreign technological and information technology companies. Awami Markaz IT Park houses 36 IT companies, while Evacuee Trust house 29 companies.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Islamabad will see its third IT Park by 2020, which will be built with assistance from South Korea.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Culture

Template:Main Islamabad is home to many settlers from other regions of Pakistan and has a cultural and religious diversity of considerable antiquity. Due to its location on the Pothohar Plateau, remnants of ancient cultures and civilisations such as Aryan, Soanian, and Indus Valley civilisation can still be found in the region. A 15th-century Gakhar fort, Pharwala Fort is located near Islamabad.<ref name="forts">Template:Cite web</ref> Rawat Fort in the region was built by the Gakhars in 16th century and contains the grave of the Gakhar chief, Sultan Sarang Khan.<ref name="forts"/>

Saidpur village is supposedly named after Said Khan, the son of Sarang Khan. The 500-year-old village was converted into a place of Hindu worship by a Mughal commander, Raja Man Singh. He constructed a number of small ponds: Rama kunda, Sita kunda, Lakshaman kunda, and Hanuman kunda.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The region is home to a small Hindu temple that is preserved, showing the presence of Hindu people in the region. The shrine of Sufi mystic Pir Meher Ali Shah is located at Golra Sharif, which has a rich cultural heritage of the pre-Islamic period. Archaeological remains of the Buddhist era can also still be found in the region.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The shrine of Bari Imam was built by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Thousands of devotees from across Pakistan attend the annual Urs of Bari Imam. The event is one of the largest religious gatherings in Islamabad. In 2004, the Urs was attended by more than 1.2 million people.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The Lok Virsa Museum in Islamabad preserves a wide variety of expressions of folk and traditional cultural legacy of Pakistan. It is located near the Shakarparian hills and boasts a large display of embroidered costumes, jewellery, musical instruments, woodwork, utensils and folkloristic objects from the region and other parts of Pakistan.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Tourism

File:Faisal mosque on the eve of 27th Ramadan.jpg

Faisal Mosque during Ramadan

Faisal Mosque is an important cultural landmark of the city and that attracts many tourists daily. Faisal Mosque built in 1986, was named after the Saudi Arabian King, Faisal bin Abdul Aziz.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It also serves the purpose of accommodating 24,000 Muslims that pray at this mosque. Faisal Mosque that is designed by the Turks and financed by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia includes calligraphy of Quranic verses along the walls of the mosque.

One of the landmarks for tourists is the Pakistan Monument built in 2007 located in Islamabad. This tourist attraction represents the patriotism and sovereignty of Pakistan. The design is shaped as a dome with petal-shaped walls that are engraved with arts portraying Pakistan's other tourist landmarks such as the Badshahi Mosque, Minar-e-Pakistan and Lahore Fort.

File:Daman-E-Koh.jpg

Daman-e-Koh Park

Islamabad holds some of Pakistan's most prestigious museums such as Lok Virsa Museum, Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage Shakarparian Park and prominent galleries such as the National Art Gallery and Gallery 6.

The Islamabad Museum contains many relics and artifacts dating back to the Gandhara period of the region, an intriguing fusion of Buddhist and Graeco-Roman styles. The living culture of Islamabad and Pakistan is best explored at Lok Virsa Museum, as well as the Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage in Shakarparian Park.

Islamabad is built upon civilization and architecture that ranges from the 10th Century to the modern era. As Islamabad is situated on the Potohar Plateau, the remains of civilization descending from stone-age era include the Acheulian and the Soanian traditions and these are tourist landmarks. Islamabad has an array of historic landmarks that reflect the Hindu civilization that dates back to the 16th Century with examples such as Saidpur. Saidpur that is situated in Islamabad has progressed from a village to a sacred place that includes temples where the Hindu Mughal Commanders worshipped.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Margalla Hills National Park is located in the North sector of Islamabad and is in close proximity to the Himalayas. The National Park includes of picturesque valleys and scenic hills that include various wildlife such as Himalayan goral, Barking deer and leopards. Flanked by wildlife and vegetation, Margalla Hills National Park also includes accommodation and camping grounds for tourists.

Recreation

File:Islamabad - Faisal Mosque.jpg

Faisal Mosque as seen from Margalla Hills

Located in the city, the Faisal Mosque is the largest mosque in South Asia and the sixth–largest mosque in the world. Built in the year 1986, it was named after the late king of Saudi Arabia, Faisal Bin Abdul Aziz, who backed and financed the construction.

File:Trail 3 Margalla Hills Islamabad.jpg

Trail 3 Islamabad

The most famous and oldest hiking track of Islamabad is Trail 3. It starts from the Margalla Road in sector F-6/3. Due to steep hills, the trail is exhausting to some extent. The course leads to the point where it goes up to the Viewpoint and is about a 30–50 minutes track. After the Viewpoint it continues for another easy-going 45 – 60 minutes and reaches the Pir Sohawa, where there are two restaurants for food, The Monal and La Montana. In total, it is approximately a one-hour and thirty minute walk.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Shah Allah Ditta village is a centuries-old village and a union council of the Islamabad Capital Authority. The village is named after a dervish who belonged to the Mughal era. It is estimated to be 650 years old approximately. It is also home to ancient caves that reflects the previous civilizations. The 2500-year-old Buddhist caves at the foot of Margalla Hills are located in west of Taxila, east of Islamabad and in the central area of Khanpur. A spring, a pond and a garden still exist near the Shah Allah Ditta Caves. There are some banyan trees in the garden, while all other fruit trees are gone. The water from the same spring was used to irrigate the garden adjoining the caves. During the Mughal period, when India was the centre of Sufism originating from Arabia and Central Asia, a saint named Shah Allah Ditta stayed in this garden and was entombed here. The place formerly attributed to sadhus, monks, or jogis is today known for the famous Sufi Shah Allah Ditta. A short distance from these caves is also an ancient baoli (stepwell) in the village of Kanthila, which is said to have been built by Sher Shah Suri.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Transport

File:Islamabad Highway From the 9th avenue bridge.jpg

Srinagar Highway, Islamabad

Aerial transport

Islamabad is connected to major destinations around the world and domestically through Islamabad International Airport (IIAP).<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> The airport is the largest in Pakistan and is located south-west of Islamabad. The new airport inaugurated on 20 April 2018, spreads over 19 square kilometers with 15 passenger boarding bridges. It also includes facilities to accommodate two double-decker Airbus A380s, 15 remote bays and 3 remote bays for Air cargo.<ref name=":0" />

Public transport

File:The Red Metro Bus in Blue Area.jpg

Islamabad Metrobus

The Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metrobus is a Template:Convert bus rapid transit system operating in the Islamabad-Rawalpindi metropolitan area. The Metrobus network's first phase was opened on 4 June 2015, and stretches 22.5 kilometres between Pak Secretariat, in Islamabad, and Saddar in Rawalpindi. The second stage stretches 25.6 kilometres between the Peshawar Morr Interchange and New Islamabad International Airport and was inaugurated on 18 April 2022.<ref name="Orange line trial run">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="PM Shehbaz Sharif inaugurates metrobus service">Template:Cite news</ref> On 7 July 2022, the Green Line and Blue Lines were added to this Metrobus network.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The system uses e-ticketing and an Intelligent Transportation System and is managed by the Punjab Mass Transit Authority. The metro buses are widely used for commuting purposes by the labor force and students.

Railway

Islamabad railway station is located in sector I-9 in Islamabad, Capital Territory, Pakistan. The station appears as Margala on the Pakistan Railways website.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Private transport

People use private transport like Taxis, Careem, Uber, Bykea, and SWVL for local journeys. In March 2016, Careem became functional in Islamabad and Rawalpindi with taxi services.

Roadways

M-2 Motorway is Template:Convert long and connects Islamabad and Lahore.<ref name="NHA">Template:Cite web</ref> M-1 Motorway connects Islamabad with Peshawar and is Template:Convert long.<ref name="NHA"/> Islamabad is linked to Rawalpindi through the Faizabad Interchange, which has a daily traffic volume of about 48,000 vehicles.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Education

File:NUST MainOffice.png

National University of Sciences and Technology

As of 2010, Islamabad boasts the highest literacy rate in Pakistan at 98%,<ref name=PBS /> and has some of the most advanced educational institutes in the country.<ref name="L. Roberts">Template:Cite book</ref> A large number of public and private sector educational institutes are present here. The higher education institutes in the capital are either federally chartered or administered by private organizations and almost all of them are recognised by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan. High schools and colleges are either affiliated with the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education or with the UK universities education boards, O/A Levels, or IGCSE. According to the Academy of Educational Planning and Management's report, in 2009 there were a total of 913 recognized institutions in Islamabad (31 pre-primary, 2 religious, 367 primary, 162 middle, 250 high, 75 higher secondary and intermediate colleges, and 26 degree colleges).<ref name="aepam.edu.pk">Template:Cite web</ref> There are seven teacher training institutes in Islamabad with a total enrolment of 604,633 students and 499 faculty.<ref name="aepam.edu.pk"/>

The Gender Parity Index in Islamabad is 0.93 compared to the 0.95 national average. There are 178 boys-only institutes, 175 girls-only, and 551 mixed institutes in Islamabad.<ref name="aepam.edu.pk"/> Total enrolment of students in all categories is 267,992; 138,272 for boys and 129,720 for girls.<ref name="aepam.edu.pk"/> There are 16 recognized universities in Islamabad with a total enrolment of 372,974 students and 30,144 teachers.<ref name="aepam.edu.pk"/> Most of the top ranked universities; National University of Sciences and Technology, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology and Pakistan Institute of Engineering & Applied Sciences, also have their headquarters in the capital.<ref name="HEC Rankings">Template:Cite web</ref> The world's second largest general university by enrolment, Allama Iqbal Open University is located in Islamabad for distance education. Other universities include Air University, Bahria University, Center for Advanced Studies in Engineering, Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology, Hamdard University, National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences, Capital University of Science & Technology, National Defence University, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, National University of Modern Languages, Iqra University, International Islamic University, Virtual University of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah University, The University of Lahore, Abasyn University, and The Millennium University College.

Healthcare

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Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences

Islamabad has the lowest rate of infant mortality in the country at 38 deaths per thousand compared to the national average of 78 deaths per thousand.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Islamabad has both public and private medical centres. The largest hospital in Islamabad is Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) hospital. It was established in 1985 as a teaching and doctor training institute. PIMS functions as a National Reference Center and provides specialised diagnostic and curative services.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The hospital has 30 major medical departments.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> PIMS is divided into five administrative branches. Islamabad Hospital is the major component with a 592-bed facility and 22 medical and surgical specialties.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The Children's Hospital is a 230-bed hospital completed in 1985. It contains six major facilities: Surgical and Allied Specialties, Medical and Allied Specialties, Diagnostic Facilities, Operation Theatre, Critical Care (NICU, PICU, Isolation & Accident Emergency), and a Blood Bank.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Maternal and Child Health Care Center is a training institute with an attached hospital of 125 beds offering different clinical and operational services.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> PIMS consists of five academic institutes: Quaid-e-Azam Postgraduate Medical College, College of Nursing, College of Medical Technology, School of Nursing, and Mother and Child Health Center.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

PAEC General Hospital and teaching institute, established in 2006, is affiliated with the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission.<ref name="paec">Template:Cite web</ref> The hospital consists of a 100-bed facility<ref name="paec"/> and 10 major departments: Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatric, General Medicine, General Surgery, Intensive Care Unit/Coronary Care Unit, Orthopedics, Ophthalmology, Pathology, Radiology, and Dental Department.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Shifa International Hospital is a teaching hospital in Islamabad that was founded in 1987 and became a public company in 1989. The hospital has 70 qualified consultants in almost all specialties, 150 IPD beds and OPD facilities in 35 different specialisations.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> According to the Federal Bureau of Statistics of the Government of Pakistan, in 2008 there were 12 hospitals, 76 dispensaries, and five maternity and child welfare centers in the city with a total of 5,158 beds.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Sports

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Jinnah Sports Stadium

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Islamabad Golf Club

Islamabad has a multipurpose sports complex opposite Aabpara. It includes Liaquat Gymnasium for indoor games, Mushaf Squash Complex and Jinnah Sports Stadium for outdoor games, which is a venue for regular national and international events. 2004 SAF Games were held in the stadium. Some other sports venues of Islamabad include Diamond Club Ground, Shalimar Cricket Ground and Islamabad Golf Club.

There is another multipurpose sports complex in the F6 Markaz. It has tennis courts, a basketball court with fibre-glass boards and a Futsal ground which introduced artificial turf to the people of Islamabad.

Major sports in the city include cricket, football, squash, hockey, table tennis, rugby and boxing.<ref name="Hanif Raza">Template:Cite book</ref> The city is home to Islamabad United<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which won the first ever Pakistan Super League in 2016 and second title in 2018,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=CIrep>Template:Cite web</ref> and Islamabad All Stars, which participates in the Super Kabaddi League.

Islamabad also has various rock climbing spots in the Margalla Hills.<ref name="John Arran">Template:Cite web</ref>

The Pakistan Sports Complex has three swimming pools for children. These facilities attract a large gathering on weekends.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Twin towns and sister cities

• Template:Flagicon Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates<ref name="Minsk">Template:Cite web</ref>
• Template:Flagicon Amman, Jordan<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="tribune16">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="dawn16">Template:Cite news</ref>
• Template:Flagicon Ankara, Turkey<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Template:Flagicon Beijing, China<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Template:Flagicon Jakarta, Indonesia 1984, restarted in 2010<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref>
• Template:Flagicon Madrid, Spain<ref name="tribune16" /><ref name="dawn16" />
• Template:Flagicon Minsk, Belarus<ref name="dawn-sister">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Template:Flagicon Seoul, South Korea<ref name="tribune16" /><ref name="dawn16" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Template:Flagicon Astana, Kazakhstan

See also

• List of people from Islamabad

Bibliography

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External links

• Template:Official website
• Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad. Template:Webarchive.
• Template:OSM relation