Islamabad the capital city of Pakistan is located in the northwest of the country on the Potohar Plateau. This area has been significant in history for being a part of the crossroads of the city of Rawals (Rawalpindi) and the North West Frontier Province. The city was built in 1960 to replace Karachi as Pakistan’s capital since 1963. Due to Islamabad proximity to Rawalpindi, they are considered Twin cities.

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 Karachi and yet 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. The idea of the national capital of Islamabad was conceived by President Ayub Khan (1907–1974). Karachi had been the capital because it was Pakistan’s commercial center, but it was not considered an appropriate administrative center due to many issues and therefore a planned city became a necessity & Islamabad came into being.Compared to other cities in the country, Islamabad is a clean, spacious and quiet city with lots of greeneries. The site of the city has a history going back to the earliest human habitations in Asia.

To the north of the city, you will find the Margalla Hills. Hot summers, monsoon rains and cold winters with sparse snowfall in the hills almost summarize the climate of this area. Islamabad also has a rich wildlife ranging from wild boars to leopards.

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.

Tourism Places

• Faisal Mosque
• The Centaurus Mall
• Pharwala Fort Swaan River
• F-9 Fatima Jinnah Park
• Shrine Peer Meher Ali Shah Golra Sharif
• The Caves Shah Allah Ditta
• Saidpur Village
• Lake View Park
• Shrine Bari Imam
• Chattar park
• Peer Sohawa / Daman e Koh
• Monal Margalla Top
• Dino Valley
• Islamabad Zoo
• Pakistan Monument
• Jasmine Park
• Trail 5 Mountain Tracks
• Rawal Lake
• Shakarparriyan

History of Islamabad

‘’Raj Shahi’’ was old name of Islamabad.

This area has seen the first settlement of Aryans from Central Asia, ancient caravans passing from Central Asia, and the massive armies of Tamerlane and Alexander.

In 1960 The Region renamed Islamabad as Capital of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The city was built between 1960 – 1970 to replace Karachi as the capital. There were 85 villages here which were affected by the construction of the new city of Islamabad.

About 50 thousand people were living in them. The major caste in the region was majorly Gakhar and Gujjar than Janjua Rajput, Awan, Pirkanjan Mughal, Dhaniyal, Bhatti, Minhas, Rajput and Syed other were lived at that time.

When CDA acquired 45,000 acres of land in 85 villages, 16 crore rupees were distributed among the victims, while they were also allotted 90,000 acres of land for cultivation in Multan, Sahiwal, Wahari, Jhang and Gadu Barrage of Sindh. For which 36 thousand permits were issued.

If the historian looks at the past of this land, he will see a village in every sector or sub-sector. Rather, its first settlers will show their genealogy. The etymology of the names of the villages also shows its own identity.

During the construction of the city, many villages located at the foot of Margalla such as Noorpur Shahan, Shahdara Saidpur and Golra Sharif have been declared as rural areas of Islamabad and their original form has been maintained. The total area of this rural area is 38906 sq km.

Content Source

Capital Development Authority (CDA)

Wikipedia

Islamabad The capital

Local History Writers

Land History