01
Faisal Mosque
Islamabad's most recognisable landmark. Designed by Turkish architect Vedat Dalokay, its tent-like roof and four towering minarets form one of Pakistan's most famous skylines.
Architecture Mosque
Federal Capital of Pakistan
Islamabad
A planned capital beneath the Margalla Hills — where government, universities, forests, old villages, diplomatic life and modern Pakistan meet in one territory.
Islamabad is more than a collection of numbered sectors. The capital contains a modern planned city, an enormous rural belt, historic Potohari settlements, forests, archaeological sites, religious shrines, universities and one of Pakistan's most recognisable mountain landscapes.
Status
Federal Capital
Territory
Islamabad Capital Territory
Area
≈906 km²
Population · 2023
2,363,863
Pakistan's Capital
The planned city that never stopped being a landscape
Islamabad was selected as Pakistan's new capital site in the late 1950s and developed during the 1960s. The city's master plan was prepared by the Greek planner Constantinos A. Doxiadis.
The result was a city organised around sectors, broad avenues, green belts and separated land uses, facing the Margalla Hills to the north.
But beneath that modern plan remained an older Potohari landscape: villages, fields, shrines, wells, caves, family compounds and ancient routes.
01
Capital profile
Islamabad at a glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | Islamabad |
| Status | Federal capital of Pakistan |
| Territory | Islamabad Capital Territory |
| Area | Approximately 906 km² |
| Population | 2,363,863 — Census 2023 |
| Elevation | Approximately 457–610 metres |
| Landscape | Potohar Plateau, Margalla Hills, valleys, forests and rural plains |
| Planned city | Doxiadis master plan |
| Twin city | Rawalpindi |
02
History
From Potohar landscape to national capital
Before Islamabad
An older Potohari landscape
Long before the modern capital, the area contained villages, agricultural land, religious sites, caravan routes and archaeological remains. Saidpur, Shah Allah Ditta, Golra, Nurpur Shahan and other settlements preserve parts of that older landscape.
1958
The capital site is selected
A commission examined possible locations for a new federal capital. The site north-east of Rawalpindi was selected because of its climate, location, natural setting and strategic considerations.
1960
The Doxiadis master plan
Greek planner Constantinos A. Doxiadis prepared the master plan. The city was organised into sectors and specialised zones, with the Margalla Hills forming the dramatic northern backdrop.
1963
Islamabad becomes the capital
Islamabad formally emerged as Pakistan's federal capital, gradually taking over administrative functions from Karachi.
1960s–today
A city that continues to expand
The capital grew from a carefully planned administrative centre into a major metropolitan territory containing residential sectors, universities, businesses, villages and expanding peri-urban areas.
03
Urban design
A city built around the sector
The Doxiadis idea
Islamabad was planned as a modern capital rather than an organically grown old city.
Residential sectors were designed as relatively self-contained neighbourhoods, connected by major roads and separated by green spaces.
The Margalla Hills provided a natural northern boundary and a permanent visual identity.
Zones of the capital
- Administrative areas
- Diplomatic areas
- Residential sectors
- Commercial centres
- Educational institutions
- Industrial areas
- National Park and protected landscapes
- Rural and agricultural areas
04
The planned city
Islamabad's famous sectors and markaz
F-6
Super Market, diplomatic neighbourhoods,
restaurants and established residential streets.
F-7
Jinnah Super, restaurants, shopping,
embassies and one of the city's best-known
residential areas.
F-8
Courts, offices, residential areas and
important institutional buildings.
F-10
A busy commercial markaz surrounded by
established residential neighbourhoods.
G-5
Part of the administrative heart of the
capital near major state institutions.
G-6
Aabpara and older residential neighbourhoods.
G-7
Established residential area and important
government offices.
G-9
Karachi Company and a major commercial centre.
I-8
Large residential sector with an important
commercial markaz.
I-9
Industrial and residential areas with
important working-class communities.
E-7
Upscale residential area beneath the
Margalla Hills.
Blue Area
Islamabad's major linear commercial
and business corridor.
05
Landmarks
The places that define Islamabad
02
Pakistan Monument
A national monument at Shakarparian representing the unity of Pakistan's provinces and territories. Its four large petals represent the major provinces while smaller petals represent territories and regions.
National Symbol
03
Daman-e-Koh
A famous viewpoint in the Margalla Hills offering elevated views over Islamabad's sectors and, on clear days, the wider Rawalpindi plain.
Viewpoint
04
Pir Sohawa
A high Margalla Hills destination associated with panoramic views, mountain roads and cooler evening weather.
Margallas
05
Shakarparian
Historic hills and parkland overlooking the capital, known for planted trees, recreation areas and city views.
Park
06
Rawal Lake
A major reservoir within the Islamabad landscape, surrounded by green areas and used for recreation as well as water supply.
Lake
07
Lok Virsa Heritage Museum
A major cultural institution preserving Pakistan's folk traditions, crafts, music, regional cultures and material heritage.
Culture
08
Saidpur Village
A historic settlement at the foot of the Margalla Hills, preserving older houses, religious structures, narrow lanes and a heavily visited cultural district.
Historic Village
09
Shah Allah Ditta Caves
An ancient settlement beneath the Margallas associated with caves, old routes and archaeological remains dating back many centuries.
Archaeology
10
Golra Sharif
A major Sufi and cultural centre associated with Pir Mehr Ali Shah, together with the historic Golra railway heritage.
Sufi Heritage
11
Bari Imam
The shrine of Shah Abdul Latif, popularly known as Bari Imam, is one of Islamabad's major religious and cultural landmarks.
Shrine
12
Margalla Hills National Park
The green northern wall of Islamabad and one of the capital's defining natural assets, containing forests, trails, wildlife and mountain viewpoints.
National Park
06
Nature
The Margalla Hills — Islamabad's northern wall
A forest inside the capital
The Margalla Hills give Islamabad its distinctive skyline and ecological identity.
The hills become intensely green during and after the monsoon and much drier during the hottest part of the year.
The park supports a variety of wildlife, including wild boar, monkeys, birds and the occasional leopard.
Trails and viewpoints
- Trail 1
- Trail 2
- Trail 3
- Trail 4
- Trail 5
- Daman-e-Koh
- Pir Sohawa
- Shah Allah Ditta area
07
Old Islamabad
The villages beneath the capital
Islamabad's identity is often reduced to its numbered sectors, but a large part of the territory remains rural. Many villages existed before the capital was planned and continue to maintain their own family, agricultural and religious traditions.
These settlements are essential to understanding Islamabad as a territory rather than simply a modern city centre.
Saidpur
Historic Margalla settlement known for old houses, religious structures and restored cultural spaces.
Shah Allah Ditta
Ancient village beneath the Margallas, famous for caves and archaeological remains.
Nurpur Shahan
Historic settlement near the Margallas and Bari Imam, with a strong religious heritage.
Bani Gala
Hilly settlement near Rawal Lake and the eastern side of the capital territory.
Malpur
Old settlement within the eastern/northern landscape of Islamabad near Rawal Dam and the Margalla environment.
Bhara Kahu
One of the largest and busiest old settlements on the western side of the Margallas.
Tarlai Kalan
A large rural and increasingly urbanised settlement on the southern side of ICT.
Sihala
Southern Islamabad locality surrounded by rural settlements and transport routes.
Koral
Southern Islamabad area that has experienced substantial urban growth.
Kirpa
Traditional rural settlement within the eastern/southern Islamabad belt.
Chirah
Rural settlement associated with the eastern hills and agricultural landscape.
Tumair
Eastern rural Islamabad settlement surrounded by hills, fields and expanding development.
Phulgran
Rural settlement toward the eastern/northern side of the territory.
Sohan
Southern settlement connected to the wider Rawalpindi–Islamabad urban belt.
Kurri
Traditional settlement in the southern/eastern side of Islamabad.
Rewat
Rural locality associated with the southern edge of Islamabad's administrative territory.
08
Culture
Islamabad has more than one identity
Potohari Roots
The older rural settlements preserve Potohari family traditions, agriculture, dialects, shrines and village customs.
National Capital
Government, diplomacy, parliament, courts and national institutions give the urban capital a distinctly federal character.
Student City
Universities bring young people from every province and region, making Islamabad one of Pakistan's most diverse educational centres.
09
People
A meeting place of languages
Islamabad is one of Pakistan's most diverse urban populations. Punjabi, Pashto and Urdu are among the most widely represented languages, alongside Hindko, Saraiki, Kashmiri and other languages brought by migrants from across the country.
The rural belt retains stronger local Potohari and Punjabi identities, while the planned city contains a national mixture of civil servants, diplomats, students, businesspeople, professionals and workers from almost every part of Pakistan.
10
Education
One of Pakistan's great university cities
01
Quaid-i-Azam University
Set against the Margalla Hills, QAU is one of Pakistan's leading public universities and a major centre for science, social sciences and humanities.
Higher Education
02
NUST
A major science, engineering, technology and business university whose Islamabad campus attracts students from across Pakistan.
Technology
03
COMSATS University
A major technology-focused university with a prominent Islamabad campus.
Science & Technology
04
International Islamic University
A major international university whose Faisal Mosque-area campus is an important educational landmark.
International
05
NUML
The National University of Modern Languages is known for languages, international studies and a wide range of academic programmes.
Languages
06
PIEAS
A leading institution for nuclear science, engineering and advanced scientific education.
Science
11
Healthcare
Major medical centre of northern Pakistan
PIMS
Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences is one of the capital's largest public healthcare and teaching complexes.
Polyclinic
Federal Government Polyclinic provides important healthcare services in the central capital.
Private hospitals
Islamabad also contains numerous private hospitals, clinics and specialist centres.
12
Public names
Famous people associated with Islamabad
Islamabad is unusual because many famous people are associated with the city through government, universities, journalism, literature, sport or long residence rather than being born there. The names below should therefore be understood as people strongly associated with Islamabad, not necessarily people born in the territory.
Literature
Ahmad Faraz
One of Pakistan's best-known Urdu poets. Islamabad became closely associated with his later life and he died in the city.
Literature
Iftikhar Arif
Prominent Urdu poet and literary figure who has had a strong institutional and cultural association with Islamabad.
Literature
Kishwar Naheed
Major Pakistani poet and writer whose literary life has been closely connected with Islamabad.
Journalism
Talat Hussain
Veteran Pakistani journalist and broadcaster strongly associated with the capital's media environment.
Journalism
Asma Shirazi
Prominent television journalist known for political reporting from Islamabad.
Media
Kashif Abbasi
Television journalist and current-affairs anchor associated with Islamabad's media scene.
Sport
Shoaib Akhtar
Pakistan's famous fast bowler has been associated with Islamabad in public life and residence.
Music
Momina Mustehsan
Singer and songwriter associated with Islamabad's contemporary creative community.
Film & Television
Hamza Ali Abbasi
Actor, director and media personality associated with the capital's cultural and creative scene.
Academia
Ahmad Hasan Dani
Distinguished archaeologist and historian closely associated with Quaid-i-Azam University and Islamabad's academic world.
Science
Abdul Qadeer Khan
Nuclear scientist whose professional life and national scientific legacy were strongly linked to Islamabad and the nearby Kahuta research environment.
Politics
Nayyar Hussain Bukhari
Former Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan and a prominent political figure associated with the capital.
13
Faith & heritage
The spiritual geography of Islamabad
Bari Imam
The shrine of Shah Abdul Latif, known as Bari Imam, is one of the capital's most important Sufi sites.
The annual Urs attracts large numbers of visitors and connects the modern capital with the older spiritual traditions of the Potohar region.
Golra Sharif
Golra Sharif is associated with Pir Mehr Ali Shah, a major Sufi scholar of the Chishti tradition.
Its shrine, library and railway heritage make the area culturally significant beyond its religious role.
14
Everyday Islamabad
Markets, food and city life
01
Jinnah Super
One of the city's best-known commercial centres, surrounded by F-7's restaurants, cafés, shops and residential streets.
F-7
02
Super Market
The established F-6 market remains a popular meeting place for residents, diplomats, visitors and restaurant-goers.
F-6
03
Aabpara Market
One of the older commercial areas of Islamabad, serving the surrounding G-sector communities.
G-6
04
Karachi Company
A major busy market in G-9, known for everyday shopping, clothing, food and services.
G-9
15
Climate
Rain, monsoon green and cool winters
Spring
Pleasant temperatures, flowering vegetation
and increasingly green hills.
Summer
Hot and humid periods followed by the
dramatic monsoon season.
Monsoon
Heavy rain can turn the Margallas intensely
green and create sudden runoff and flooding.
Winter
Cool nights and occasional fog, with air
quality becoming an important urban issue.
16
A working capital
How a day in Islamabad feels
Morning traffic enters the city from Rawalpindi, Bhara Kahu, Tarlai, Koral and the southern suburbs. School vans fill the main roads while government offices begin their working day.
By midday, Blue Area and the major markaz are busy with offices, banks, restaurants and shoppers. Universities create another rhythm around QAU, NUST, COMSATS, IIUI and NUML.
In the late afternoon, residents move toward parks, walking tracks and Margalla trails. F-6 and F-7 become restaurant and café districts after sunset.
At the same time, rural Islamabad continues its own rhythm of fields, livestock, mosques, village markets and family compounds.
17
The other side
Problems beneath the polished capital
Traffic
Rapid population growth and commuting from Rawalpindi and expanding suburbs place pressure on major roads.
Water
Population growth and expanding housing areas increase pressure on water resources and distribution systems.
Urban expansion
Expansion into rural land and natural drainage areas creates difficult questions about conservation and planning.
18
Environment
Protecting the capital's green identity
Islamabad's greatest natural advantage is its combination of forested hills, open green spaces, water reservoirs and relatively low-density planned neighbourhoods.
The Margalla Hills and their wildlife are especially important. Islamabad's identity would be fundamentally different without the forested ridge immediately north of the city.
Responsible development therefore requires protection of forests, streams, nullahs, agricultural land and historic villages alongside carefully planned urban growth.
19
Photography
The many faces of Islamabad
🕌
Faisal Mosque
Best known against the Margalla skyline.
🌄
Daman-e-Koh
City grid and mountain views from above.
🌲
Margallas
Forest, trails, wildlife and changing seasons.
🏘️
Old Villages
Saidpur and Shah Allah Ditta reveal older Islamabad.
“
Islamabad is unusual because the modern capital and the old landscape are still visible at the same time: the parliament and the village, the sector and the field, the highway and the mountain trail.
۲۰
اردو
اسلام آباد — پاکستان کا دارالحکومت
اسلام آباد پاکستان کا وفاقی دارالحکومت اور اسلام آباد کیپیٹل ٹیریٹری کا مرکزی شہر ہے۔ یہ پوٹھوہار کے سطح مرتفع پر مارگلہ پہاڑیوں کے دامن میں واقع ہے۔
اسلام آباد کو ایک منصوبہ بند شہر کے طور پر 1960 کی دہائی میں ترقی دی گئی۔ یونانی ماہر تعمیرات و منصوبہ بندی کانسٹنٹینوس ڈوکسیاڈس نے شہر کا ماسٹر پلان تیار کیا جس میں مختلف سیکٹرز، سرکاری علاقوں، سفارتی علاقے، رہائشی علاقوں، تجارتی مراکز اور سبز علاقوں کو الگ الگ ترتیب دیا گیا۔
لیکن اسلام آباد صرف ایف، جی اور دیگر سیکٹرز کا نام نہیں۔ اس کے وسیع علاقے میں قدیم دیہات، کھیت، جنگلات، مزارات، غاریں، تاریخی مقامات اور پوٹھوہاری ثقافت بھی موجود ہے۔
۲۱
تاریخ
دارالحکومت بننے سے پہلے کا اسلام آباد
اسلام آباد کے علاقے میں جدید شہر بننے سے بہت پہلے دیہات، زرعی زمینیں، قدیم راستے اور مذہبی مقامات موجود تھے۔ سیدپور، شاہ اللہ دتہ، گولڑہ شریف، نورپور شاہاں اور دیگر بستیاں اس قدیم منظرنامے کی یاد دلاتی ہیں۔
1950 کی دہائی میں پاکستان کے لیے نئے دارالحکومت کی تلاش شروع ہوئی۔ راولپنڈی کے شمال مشرق میں موجود علاقہ اس کے قدرتی حسن، موسم، محل وقوع اور دیگر عوامل کی وجہ سے منتخب کیا گیا۔
1960 میں ڈوکسیاڈس کا ماسٹر پلان منظور ہوا اور 1963 کے بعد اسلام آباد نے پاکستان کے وفاقی دارالحکومت کے طور پر اپنی اہمیت حاصل کرنا شروع کی۔
۲۲
مشہور مقامات
اسلام آباد کے اہم سیاحتی اور تاریخی مقامات
۰۱
فیصل مسجد
اسلام آباد کی سب سے نمایاں علامت۔ ترک معمار ویدات دالوکائے کے ڈیزائن پر تعمیر ہونے والی یہ مسجد اپنے خیمہ نما مرکزی ڈھانچے اور چار بلند میناروں کی وجہ سے دنیا بھر میں مشہور ہے۔
۰۲
پاکستان مونومنٹ
شکرپڑیاں میں واقع قومی یادگار جو پاکستان کے صوبوں اور علاقوں کے اتحاد کی علامت سمجھی جاتی ہے۔
۰۳
دامنِ کوہ
مارگلہ پہاڑیوں میں واقع مشہور مقام جہاں سے اسلام آباد کے سیکٹرز اور دور تک پھیلے ہوئے میدانی علاقے دیکھے جا سکتے ہیں۔
۰۴
پیر سوہاوہ
مارگلہ پہاڑیوں کا بلند اور خوبصورت مقام جو اپنے نظاروں، ٹھنڈے موسم اور پہاڑی ماحول کے لیے مشہور ہے۔
۰۵
سیدپور گاؤں
مارگلہ پہاڑیوں کے دامن میں واقع تاریخی گاؤں جہاں پرانے مکانات، مذہبی عمارات اور ثقافتی ماحول آج بھی دیکھا جا سکتا ہے۔
۰۶
شاہ اللہ دتہ
قدیم گاؤں جو غاروں، تاریخی آثار اور قدیم تہذیبی باقیات کی وجہ سے خاص اہمیت رکھتا ہے۔
۰۷
گولڑہ شریف
پیر مہر علی شاہ سے وابستہ معروف صوفی مرکز، جس کے ساتھ تاریخی ریلوے ورثہ بھی موجود ہے۔
۰۸
بری امام
حضرت شاہ عبداللطیف المعروف بری امام کا مزار اسلام آباد کے اہم روحانی اور مذہبی مقامات میں شمار ہوتا ہے۔
۰۹
راول جھیل
اسلام آباد کے اہم آبی ذخائر میں سے ایک جو شہر کے سبز علاقوں اور تفریحی مقامات کے ساتھ ایک خوبصورت منظر پیش کرتی ہے۔
۱۰
شکرپڑیاں
تاریخی پہاڑی علاقہ جہاں سے شہر کے وسیع مناظر دیکھے جا سکتے ہیں۔
۲۳
دیہات
سیکٹرز سے باہر کا اسلام آباد
اسلام آباد کے وسیع علاقے میں آج بھی بہت سے قدیم دیہات موجود ہیں۔ یہ بستیاں اس بات کی یاد دلاتی ہیں کہ جدید دارالحکومت کی تعمیر سے پہلے یہاں ایک مکمل دیہی اور پوٹھوہاری معاشرہ موجود تھا۔
سیدپور، شاہ اللہ دتہ، نورپور شاہاں، بنی گالہ، ملپور، بھارہ کہو، ترلائی کلاں، سہالہ، کورال، کرپا، چراہ، سوہان، کری، تمیر اور پھلگراں ایسے علاقوں میں شامل ہیں۔
ان علاقوں میں آج بھی کھیت، پرانے خاندان، مساجد، مقامی بازار، مویشی اور دیہی طرز زندگی کے مختلف پہلو دیکھے جا سکتے ہیں، اگرچہ کئی بستیاں تیزی سے شہری آبادی میں تبدیل ہو رہی ہیں۔
۲۴
ثقافت
پوٹھوہاری جڑیں اور جدید قومی شناخت
پوٹھوہاری ثقافت
پرانے دیہات میں پوٹھوہاری اور پنجابی روایات، خاندان، زراعت اور مقامی رسوم آج بھی اہم ہیں۔
وفاقی دارالحکومت
پارلیمنٹ، وزارتیں، سفارت خانے، عدالتیں اور قومی ادارے اسلام آباد کو پاکستان کا سیاسی مرکز بناتے ہیں۔
طلبہ کا شہر
ملک بھر سے آنے والے طلبہ اسلام آباد کو ایک کثیرالثقافتی اور تعلیمی شہر بناتے ہیں۔
۲۵
معروف شخصیات
اسلام آباد سے وابستہ معروف لوگ
اسلام آباد ایک نیا وفاقی دارالحکومت ہے، اس لیے بہت سی معروف شخصیات یہاں پیدا ہونے کے بجائے ملازمت، تعلیم، ادب، صحافت، سیاست یا طویل قیام کی وجہ سے شہر سے وابستہ ہیں۔
احمد فراز، افتخار عارف، کشور ناہید، طلعت حسین، اسما شیرازی، کاشف عباسی، شعیب اختر، مومنہ مستحسن، حمزہ علی عباسی اور متعدد دیگر معروف شخصیات کا اسلام آباد سے نمایاں تعلق رہا ہے۔
اسلام آباد کی جامعات نے بھی سائنس، تاریخ، ادب، سماجی علوم اور ٹیکنالوجی کے میدان میں پاکستان کی کئی معروف شخصیات پیدا کی ہیں۔
۲۶
تعلیم
تعلیم اور تحقیق کا مرکز
قائداعظم یونیورسٹی، نیشنل یونیورسٹی آف سائنسز اینڈ ٹیکنالوجی، کامسیٹس یونیورسٹی، بین الاقوامی اسلامی یونیورسٹی، نیشنل یونیورسٹی آف ماڈرن لینگویجز اور PIEAS اسلام آباد کو پاکستان کے اہم تعلیمی مراکز میں شامل کرتے ہیں۔
مارگلہ پہاڑیوں کے قریب واقع قائداعظم یونیورسٹی اسلام آباد کے علمی منظرنامے کی خاص علامت ہے۔ ملک کے مختلف حصوں سے آنے والے طلبہ اس شہر کو نوجوان اور متحرک بناتے ہیں۔
۲۷
موسم
بارش، سبز مارگلہ اور ٹھنڈی سردیاں
بہار
موسم خوشگوار اور پہاڑی علاقے سرسبز ہونا
شروع ہو جاتے ہیں۔
گرمی
موسم گرم اور بعض اوقات مرطوب ہوتا ہے،
جبکہ مون سون بارشیں بعد میں سبزہ بڑھاتی ہیں۔
مون سون
شدید بارشیں مارگلہ پہاڑیوں کو انتہائی سرسبز
بنا دیتی ہیں اور بعض اوقات اچانک سیلاب بھی
آ سکتا ہے۔
سردی
سردیوں میں راتیں ٹھنڈی اور بعض دنوں میں
دھند اور فضائی آلودگی نمایاں ہو سکتی ہے۔
۲۸
ماحول
اسلام آباد کے سبز حسن کی حفاظت
اسلام آباد کی سب سے بڑی قدرتی خوبصورتی مارگلہ پہاڑیوں، جنگلات، سبز علاقوں، نالوں اور کھلے قدرتی مقامات میں ہے۔
بڑھتی ہوئی آبادی، نئی ہاؤسنگ اسکیمیں، ٹریفک، پانی کی ضرورت اور غیر منصوبہ بند تعمیرات قدرتی ماحول پر دباؤ ڈال سکتی ہیں۔
مارگلہ کے جنگلات، تاریخی دیہات، قدرتی نالوں، زرعی زمینوں اور تاریخی مقامات کا تحفظ مستقبل کے اسلام آباد کے لیے بہت اہم ہے۔
Islamabad is more than a capital
It is a planned city, a mountain landscape, a university town, a diplomatic centre, a collection of old villages, a cultural meeting place and a living part of Potohar.