Islamabad

History of Islamabad:

Islamabad was built in 1960 as Forward Capital while Karachi was the capital of Pakistan since the time of independence. There were several reasons for building a new capital; near to Kashmir and Army Headquarters and accessible from each corner of Pakistan. A Greek firm designed the Master Grid Plan of Islamabad. Islamabad is one of the most well-planned and green capitals of world.

Islamabad is the capital of Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Islamabad is 10^th largest and a cosmopolitan city of Pakistan. The Population of Islamabad is over 1.3 million. Islamabad is also called as ICT (Islamabad Capital Territory). Islamabad and Rawalpindi are called Twin Cities as both cities stand side by side.

Location of Islamabad:

Islamabad is located between two provinces of Pakistan; Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Islamabad is located at the edge of the Pothohar Plateau near Margalla Hills. Rawalpindi, Muree, Kahuta, Haripur, Taxila, Wah Cantt, Attock and Gujar Khan are nearby cities.

Islamabad is divided in many zones, areas and sectors.

Transportation for Islamabad:

Islamabad International Airport (Benazir Bhutto International Airport) is the 3^rd largest airport of Pakistan while another New Islamabad International Airport is under construction.

Bus and train service is available to all major cities of Pakistan. Islamabad is connected with Karachi with a railway line. Islamabad is connected with Lahore via M1 Motorway and GT Road while M2 connects Islamabad to Peshawar.

Administration of Islamabad:

Islamabad Capital Territory Administration (ICT) and Capital Development Authority (CDA) with the help of some other organizations and departments are responsible for the administration of Islamabad.

Faisal Masjid Islamabad:

Faisal Masjid is the largest Mosque of South Asia and it is 6^th largest Mosque of World.

Tourism Spots in Islamabad:

Faisal Masjid

Margalla Hills National Park

Rawal Lake

National Monument of Pakistan

Folk Heritage Museum

Shakarparian Hills

Faisal Mosque

Daman-e-Koh

Pir Sohawa

Dams in Islamabad:

Rawal Dam

Simli Dam

Khanpur Dam (Khyber PK)

Hotels and Restaurants in Islamabad:

Serena Hotel

PC Hotel (Pearl Continental Hotel)

Map of Islamabad:

Image via Wikipedia

Important Places in Islamabad

Jinnah Convention Center

Lal Masjid/ Red Mosque

Universities, Colleges and Institutes in Islamabad:

International Islamic University

Quaid e Azam University (QU)

National University of Science and Technology (NUST)

Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS)

Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU)

Bahria University (Naval University)

Air University

National Defense University

Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS)

COMSATS

Hamdard University

National University of Modern Languages (NUML)

Muhammad Ali Jinnah University

Hospitals and Clinics in Islamabad:

PIMS Hospital

Al Shifa Hospital