Islamabad

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For other places called Islamabad, see Islamabad (disambiguation).
Islamabad
اسلام آباد
General Information
Country Pakistan
Province Islamabad Capital Territory
Altitude 457 - 610 metres above sea level AMSL
Area 906.0 km²
Calling code 051
Time zone PST (UTC+5)
No. of Towns none in city proper
Population 1.018.000 1999
density 1123 persons/km²
Government
No. of Union Councils none in city proper
No. of NGOs Working
Website
Capital Development Authority Website

Islamabad (Urdu: اسلام آباد (Meaning Abode of Islam)), is the capital city of Pakistan, and is located in the Potohar Plateau in the northwest of the country. It is located within the Islamabad Capital Territory, though the area has historically been a part of the crossroads of the Punjab region and the North-West Frontier Province (the Margalla pass being a historic gateway to the North-West Frontier Province, and the Potwar Plateau historically a part of the Punjab). Islamabad is located at 33°40′N, 73°10′E.

The city was built during the 1960s to replace Karachi as Pakistan's capital. A Greek firm of architects, Doxiadis Associates, drew up a master plan, triangular in shape based on a grid system with its apex towards the Margalla Hills. Rawalpindi is considered its sister city due to the proximity between the two cities.

This city was built because of several reasons those are the fallowing:- 1. The development of the country was only in southern part of Pakistan and Ayub wanted it to equally distributed 2. Karachi was vulnerable to be attacked from seaside on the other hand Islamabad is safely sorrounded by the mountains. 3. Climate here is favourable compared to Karachi. 4. It was also closer to GHQ.


Islamabad is a rather modern and clean city, especially in comparison to other cities in Pakistan. It is well-organized, with the city being divided into different sectors and zones. Islamabad was divided into eight zones: the diplomatic enclave, the commercial district, the educational sector, the industrial area and so on, each with its own shopping area and park. Islamabad is also home to the Faisal Mosque which is well known for its architecture and immense size.

Contents

[edit] History

The nascent city of Islamabad has thousands of years of history behind it. This site of the earliest habitations of man in Asia and is at one end of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization. Near Islamabad is a site where there are stone implements made on a mass scale which were sent down to the lower reaches of the Indus river.[citation needed] This area was the first settlement of the Aryans from Central Asia and is one the route through which passed all those who invaded India from the North and North West. The very large number of languages still spoken in the Northern Areas are evidence of the races that passed through what is now the federal area.[citation needed] This is the region which has witnessed the passage of ancient caravans from Central Asia as well as the bloody onslaught of the ferocious armies of Alexander, Chengiz Khan and Taimur Lame. The banks of the River Soan in Islamabad were host to the stone age man over 7000 years ago and human skulls dating back to 5000 B.C. have been found in and around Islamabad.[citation needed]

[edit] Geography and climate

The city is situated at the edge of the Pothohar plateau, south of the Margalla hills. The modern capital Islamabad and the ancient Gakhar city of Rawalpindi stand side by side, displaying the country’s past and present. The area's micro-climate is regulated by three man-made lakes (Rawal, Simli and Khanpur). The city overall has a mild climate with hot summers with monsoon rains occurring during July and August, and fairly cold winters recently with sparse snowfall. The weather ranges from a minimum of 2.6°C in January to a maximum of 38.7°C in June.

[edit] Fauna of Islamabad

Islamabad is rich in natural animal wildlife from animals ranging from wild boars to leopards that dwell the Margala Hills. Islamabad also has a sizeable population of feral dogs and cats.

[edit] Tourism and sightseeing

Islamabad on a snowy winter day
Islamabad on a snowy winter day
The National Parliament
The National Parliament
The President's official residence (Aiwan-e-Sadr)
The President's official residence (Aiwan-e-Sadr)
Faizabad interchange: Gateway to the capital city
Faizabad interchange: Gateway to the capital city
The Supreme Court of Pakistan
The Supreme Court of Pakistan
Prime Minister's Secretariat
Prime Minister's Secretariat
A view of Blue Area, the central business district of Islamabad
A view of Blue Area, the central business district of Islamabad
Islamabad glitters at night : Photograph Umayr Sahlan Masud
Islamabad glitters at night : Photograph Umayr Sahlan Masud
Daman e Koh Park, one of many that make Islamabad the most green city in South Asia
Daman e Koh Park, one of many that make Islamabad the most green city in South Asia

Islamabad is a relatively young city compared to the other cities. However, the views from the sculpted gardens of Islamabad's Shakar Parian Hills, the fascinating Heritage Museum, and the huge marble Shah Faisal Mosque are the major highlights of the modern city. To the west of Islamabad is the town of Taxila, dating from 500 BC with heavy Buddhist and Sikh (home to a shrine, among the most important in the Sikh faith) influences. Sculptures here show a strong Greek influence, a result of Alexander the Great's journey through the region. The commercial center of Islamabad is known as the Blue Area and runs along the length of Jinnah Avenue. Its eastern end runs into Parliament Road, where the majority of government buildings are located.

The city is very green, with much afforestation of what was formerly scrub forest and open ground. The city's pleasant climate has enabled the introduction of many exotic plants into the area. There is also much wildlife in the north in the Margalla hills, which have been turned into a national park.Margalla hills are home to various species of wild life including a variety of exotic birds and carnivores such as, the rare and presently endengered, Margalla leopards.

Islamabad's architecture walks a tight-rope between modernity and tradition. The Saudi-Pak Tower is a good example of the combination of modern and traditional styles into one building. The city is also home to the Faisal Mosque, which is well-known for its architecture and immense size. Quaid-i-Azam University is also located in the capital city along with numerous government buildings and foreign embassies such as the National Assembly building, the Supreme Court building, the President's official residence (Aiwan-e-Sadr) and the Prime Minister's secretariat. Another landmark is a giant silver-colored Globe statue, installed in 2004 to mark Pakistan's hosting of that year's SAARC Summit. Recently, Atkins UK have designed a striking building for the capital, the Centaurus, reflecting the margalla hills surrounding it. Not only will this be the tallest and most impressive structure in Islamabad, second only to proposed taller skyscrapers in Karachi and Lahore, but will also truly put Pakistan's beautiful capital city on the global architectural map.

  • Museums
    • Pakistan Museum of Natural History
    • Islamabad Museum
    • Lok Virsa Museum
    • Pakistan Army Museum(Rawalpindi)
    • Museum of Pakistan
    • Taxila Museum
  • Parks
    • Fatima Jinnah Park
    • Rose and Jasmine Garden
    • Japanese Park
    • Chattar Bagh
    • Auyb National Park, Rawalpindi
  • Main Markets
    • Chinatown
    • Jinnah Super Market
    • Abpara
    • Karachi Company/G-9 Markaz
    • Super Market
    • Sitara Market
    • Blue Area
    • Peshawar Moore
    • G-10 Markaz
    • G-11 Markaz
    • F-10 Markaz
    • F-11 Markaz
    • G-8 Markaz -mainly second hand automobiles market
    • I-8 Markaz
    • I-9 Markaz
    • I-10 Markaz
    • I-11 Markaz
  • Sporting facilities
    • Jinnah Sports Complex
    • Liaquat Gymnasium
    • Margalla cricket Ground
    • Rawalpindi cricket stadium
    • Islamabad club golf course
    • Yachting facility at Rawal lake
    • Islamabad club tennis courts
    • Mushaf Squash Complex Mushaf Squash Complex is a state of the art facility at Islamabad, which boasts to be the best squash-playing arena in Asia. It was inaugurated on 29th June 2004 by Air Chief Marshal Kaleem Saadat, Chief of the Air Staff and President Pakistan Squash Federation. It comprises a four-sided glass wall court and 04 Combi courts, imported from Messers ASB Courts, Germany. These courts are convertible into Doubles Court. The complex has a seating capacity of 800+ people and is fitted with one of the best air conditioning system in the country.

[edit] Demographics

Punjabis account for 65% of the population followed by the Muhajir Urdu at around 14%, Pashtun at 11% and others (Sindhi, Balochi, Kashmiri's, etc) at 10%. (the refugee population is not counted on the census). [1]

Historical populations
Census Population Urban
1951 95,940 -
1961 117,669 -
1972 237,549 32.26%
1981 340,286 60.05%
1998 805,235 65.71%

[edit] Surroundings

North East: Muree / Kahuta
North West: Taxila / Wah Cantt / Attock District
South East: Gujar Khan / Kallar Syedian / Rawat / Mandra
South West: Rawalpindi

[edit] Islamabad Mass Transit System

Capital Development Authority (CDA) has intended to carryout a feasibility and reference design for rapid mass transit system for twin-cities Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

For this purpose proposals are invited form international consultants of repute and having experience of successful conduct of similar studies elsewhere in the world.

According to the authority official terms of reference for the study are available form the office of the (Traffic Engineering Cell) Islamabad and on website www.cda.gov.pk.

Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Wednesday 5th April-2007 said that that a Railway Station would be built near the planned new Islamabad Airport at Fateh Jang to facilitate passengers.

[edit] Sectors

Islamabad is divided into several different sectors, each identified by a letter of the English alphabet and a number, with each sector covering an area of approximately 2km x 2km. Each sector is further divided into 4 sub-sectors. The sectors currently in use are lettered from D to I.

Currently, there is only one D sector, D-12. Although this sector is underdeveloped with its development to be completed in 2008, it will be considered as one of the most beautiful sectors of Islamabad because of its location near the Margalla Hills. However, in revised Master Plan, CDA has decided to develop new sectors including D-13 and D-14.

The E sectors are numbered from E-6 to E-18. Many foreigners and diplomatic personnel are housed in this sector. But with new revised Master Plan, CDA has decided to develop a park on the patterns of F-9 park in sector E-14. Sector E-8 and E-9 contain the campuses of three Defense universities Bahria University (Sector E-8), Air University (Sector E-9) and National Defense College (now National Defense University).

The F sectors are numbered F-5 through F-12. F-5 is an important sector for the software industry in Islamabad, as both of the two software technology parks are located here. The entire sector of F-9 is dedicated for the Fatima Jinnah Park. The Centaurus complex (including a 7 star plaza, 5 star hotel and apartments) will be one of the major landmarks of F-8.

The G sectors are numbered G-5 through G-16. Some important landmarks include the Convention Center, SS-CARE and Serena Hotel in G-5, the Lal Mosque in G-6, the Karachi Company shopping center in G-9 (named after a construction company from Karachi who made one of the first flats in this area in and around 1978) and the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) hospital in G-8 which is the largest medical complex in the capital and is hence also known by the locals as simply the 'Complex Hospital.' The Institute is a national centre of excellence and tertiary referral centre. With its own helipad it was the focal point of rescue missions and the point of referral for the most seriously wounded in the Northern Areas earthquake of 2005.

The H sectors are numbered H-7 through H-12. The H sectors are mostly dedicated to educational and health institutions. Shifa International Hospitals Ltd. and the Shifa College of Medicine are situated in sector H-8/4. Sectors H-8, H-9, H-10 and H-11 contain the campuses of a number of top universities and Institutes of the country, including Institute of Cost & Management Accountants of Pakistan[2], COMSATS Institute of Information Technology[3], Allama Iqbal Open University, City School, and Beacon House School in sector H-8; the National University of Modern Languages (NUML) and International School of Islamabad in sector H-9; the International Islamic University in sector H-10; the National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences (FAST-NUCES) in sector H-10; and the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) in H-12.

The I sectors are numbered I-8 through I-18. Except for I-8, these sectors are primarily set aside as part of the industrial zone. Only Two sub-sectors of Sector I-9 and one sub-sector of sector I-10 is used as Industrial Area. Mainly Lower-Middle Class section of Pakistani society is located in Sector I-9 and I-10. Sector I-11 is proposed site of a state-of-art Vegetable and Fruit Market. CDA has planned to relocated the operating Veg. and Fruit market from I-11 to Sangjani. Sector I-15 is a new sector for Low-income group. CDA is planning to set up Islamabad Railway Station in Sector I-18 and Industrial City in proposed sector I-17.

[edit] Universities in Islamabad

[edit] Sister Cities

[edit] See also

Islamabad-related topics edit
History History of Islamabad, Taxila, Hunas, History of Punjab, History of Pakistan, Constantinos A. Doxiadis, Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan, 2005 Kashmir earthquake
City and Geography Islamabad Capital Territory, Capital Development Authority, Union Council Koral, Rawalpindi, Model Town Humak, Potohar Plateau, Margalla Hills, Gakhar, Simly Dam, Lotus Lake, Golra Sharif, Karakoram, Northwest Frontier Province, Punjab (Pakistan), Pakistan-administered Kashmir
Economy and Transport Blue Area, Saudi-Pak Tower, State Bank of Pakistan, Islamabad International Airport, Government of Pakistan, Shahrah-i-Islamabad, Shahrah-i-Kashmir, Karakoram Highway, Grand Trunk Road
Demographics and Culture Demographics, Punjabis, Muhajirs, Pashtuns, Islam, Christianity, Politics of Pakistan, Aiwan-i-Sadr, Parliament of Pakistan, Supreme Court of Pakistan, Faisal Mosque, Fatima Jinnah Park, Golra Sharif, Daman-e-Koh, Pakistan Museum of Natural History, Islamabad Museum, Lok Virsa Museum
Education AIR University, Al-Huda University, Allama Iqbal Open University, Bahria University, Center for Advanced Studies in Engineering, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology, Hamdard University, International Islamic University, Muhammad Ali Jinnah University, National University of Computer & Emerging Sciences, National University of Modern Languages, Institute of Space Technology, Iqra University, Quaid-i-Azam University, Shifa College of Medicine, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
Official
Unofficial
Islamic Web Sites


Provincial and Territorial Capitals of Pakistan Flag of Pakistan
Sindh: Karachi | Punjab: Lahore | NWFP: Peshawar | Balochistan: Quetta
Northern Areas: Gilgit | Federally Administered Tribal Areas: Peshawar | Azad Kashmir: Muzaffarabad
Federal Capital: Islamabad
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../i/s/l/Islamabad.html"