Islamabad, Pakistan
Region: Islamabad is located in the Islamabad Capital Territory
Geographic Coordinates: 33.693100, 73.063900
Temperature Range: 10.0°C to 40.0°C (50°F to 104°F)
Climate: Seasonal.
Population: 1014825
Language: Urdu
Islamabad is the capital city of Pakistan, Located in the north of the country. The city was designed by a Greek architect and was built in the 1960s to replace Karachi as Pakistan’s capital. Islamabad is known for its lush greenery, Modern architecture, And peaceful environment. The city is home to numerous government buildings, Diplomatic missions, And international organizations. One of the most iconic landmarks in Islamabad is Faisal Mosque. It is one of the largest mosques in South Asia and can accommodate over 100, 000 worshippers at a time.
The mosque’s unique design features eight-sided concrete shells that resemble Bedouin tents and make it stand out from other traditional mosques. Another popular attraction in Islamabad is Daman-e-Koh viewpoint which offers stunning views of the entire city nestled between hills with Margalla Hills National Park being one such natural beauty spot nearby where visitors can hike or enjoy picnics. The Shakarparian Hills are another must-visit site where visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Islamabad while strolling through beautiful gardens that have been created on this hilltop area; it also has a museum showcasing Pakistan’s history.
Islamabad also has several museums worth visiting including Lok Virsa Museum which exhibits Pakistani culture & heritage; National Art Gallery which showcases contemporary art from all over Pakistan; Pakistan Monument Museum that displays artifacts related to national history & struggle for independence among others. For those interested in shopping, Centaurus Mall located at Jinnah Avenue offers an array of local as well as international brands under one roof while Blue Area market caters more towards business needs with shops selling everything from office supplies to clothes.
food lovers will not be disappointed with Islamabad’s culinary scene offering diverse options ranging from traditional Pakistani dishes like biryani & kebabs to international cuisines like Italian & Chinese food served at various restaurants across town making it an ideal destination for tourists looking for authentic cultural experiences along with modern amenities.
- Faisal Mosque
- Pakistan Monument Museum
- Rawal Lake
- Lok Virsa Museum
- Shakarparian Hills
- Daman-e-Koh viewpoint
- Saidpur Village
- Centaurus Mall
- Margalla Hills National Park
- Islamabad Zoo
- Government and Public Sector: Islamabad is the capital city of Pakistan and is home to a large number of government offices, ministries, and public sector organizations.
- Information Technology (IT) Industry: The IT industry in Islamabad is rapidly growing and has become a major contributor to the city’s economy. Many software development companies, call centers, and other IT-related businesses are located in Islamabad.
- Construction Industry: With the rapid expansion of the city’s infrastructure, the construction industry has also grown significantly in recent years. Many construction companies are based in Islamabad that work on various government projects as well as private sector projects.
- Education Sector: Islamabad is home to many prestigious educational institutions such as Quaid-i-Azam University, National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST), International Islamic University, etc., which attract students from all over Pakistan.
- Banking and Financial Services: Several banks and financial institutions have their headquarters or regional offices in Islamabad due to its status as the capital city.
- Hospitality Industry: The hospitality industry in Islamabad includes hotels, restaurants, cafes that cater to local residents as well as tourists visiting the city.
- Healthcare Industry: There are several hospitals and medical facilities located in Islamabad providing quality healthcare services to residents of not only this city but also neighboring areas.
- Textile Industry: Although not a major industry compared to other cities like Karachi or Faisalabad but there are still some textile mills operating within or around this region producing fabric for clothing purposes etc.
- Construction of Islamabad: The city of Islamabad was constructed in the 1960s as a purpose-built capital for Pakistan, replacing Karachi as the country’s capital.
- Indus Valley Civilization: The region around Islamabad has been inhabited since ancient times, and artifacts from the Indus Valley Civilization have been found in the area.
- Gandhara Civilization: The Gandhara civilization flourished in what is now Pakistan and Afghanistan from the 6th century BCE to the 11th century CE, and many Buddhist relics from this period can be found around Islamabad.
- Faisal Mosque: The Faisal Mosque is one of Islamabad’s most iconic landmarks and was completed in 1986. It is named after King Faisal bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia, who provided funding for its construction.
- Benazir Bhutto: Benazir Bhutto was a Pakistani politician who served as Prime Minister of Pakistan twice (1988-1990; 1993-1996). She was assassinated in Rawalpindi near Islamabad on December 27, 2007.
- Pervez Musharraf: General Pervez Musharraf served as President of Pakistan from 2001 to 2008 and played a key role in shaping modern-day Pakistan’s foreign policy during his tenure.
- Margalla Hills National Park: Margalla Hills National Park is located just outside Islamabad and covers an area of over 17,000 acres. It is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna and attracts thousands of visitors each year.
- Shah Faisal Mosque Bombing: In November 1979, militants attacked the Shah Faisal Mosque during Friday prayers, killing over two dozen people including diplomats from Turkey and Yemen.
- Lal Masjid Siege: In July 2007, Pakistani troops stormed Lal Masjid (Red Mosque), which had become a hub for militant activity in Islamabad. Over 100 people were killed in the ensuing violence.
- Abdul Sattar Edhi: Abdul Sattar Edhi was a Pakistani philanthropist and humanitarian who founded the Edhi Foundation, which runs one of Pakistan’s largest charitable networks. He passed away in 2016 and is widely regarded as a national hero in Pakistan.
- Pakistan Monument Museum
- Lok Virsa Museum
- National Art Gallery
- Islamabad Museum
- Faisal Mosque
- Rawal Lake and Park
- Shakarparian Hills and Garden
- Daman-e-Koh viewpoint
- Saidpur Village
- Taxila Museum (located just outside of Islamabad)
- Islamabad, Pakistan has no significant sports teams with a long history, but there are local clubs and teams that participate in various sports such as cricket, football, hockey, and basketball.
- Some of the notable teams include:
- Islamabad United – a franchise cricket team that represents the city in the Pakistan Super League (PSL)
- Islamabad Football Club – a local football club that plays in the Pakistan Premier League
- Islamabad Hockey Club – a local hockey club that participates in various tournaments across Pakistan and has produced national-level players
- Islamabad Basketball Club – a local basketball club that participates in various tournaments across Pakistan
- In summary, although there are no major sports teams with long histories based out of Islamabad specifically, locals can still get involved with athletics through these smaller clubs or other community-based organizations focused on sports participation or development within the region.
- Islamabad Literature Festival
- Islamabad Fashion Week
- National Horse and Cattle Show
- Pakistan Day Parade
- Independence Day celebrations
- Folk music and dance festivals
- Sufi music festivals
- Silk Route Festival
- National Book Fair
- Pakistan International Film Festival
- Haleem Ghar: Known for its delicious haleem, a slow-cooked meat and lentil stew.
- Monal Restaurant: A fine dining restaurant with a stunning view of the city, serving Pakistani and continental cuisine.
- Des Pardes: A casual dining restaurant offering traditional Pakistani dishes such as biryani, karahi, and kebabs.
- Street food at F-10 Markaz: This market area is famous for its street food stalls serving various snacks like chaat, gol gappay (crispy filled balls), samosas (fried pastry), and pakoras (fritters).
- Khoka Khola: A cozy cafe-style eatery that serves authentic Pakistani dishes like nihari (slow-cooked beef curry) and paya (trotter soup).
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House Restaurant: Specializes in the traditional cuisine of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region including pulao (rice dish), chapli kebab, lamb chops, etc.
- The Hotspot Cafe & Grill: Offers a range of international cuisines including Italian pasta dishes, burgers & sandwiches.
- Tuscany Courtyard: An Italian restaurant located in F-7 Markaz that offers an extensive menu of pizzas & pastas along with other international dishes such as steaks & seafood platters.
- Kabul Restaurant: Serves authentic Afghan cuisine such as mantu dumplings filled with minced meat or vegetables; also has vegetarian options available.
- Seasons Cafe Bakery: Famous for their bakery items like cakes, pastries, bread, etc. along with breakfast items like omelettes, pancakes, etc.
- Margalla Hills National Park is a favorite destination for those who love hiking, camping, and bird watching.
- Shakarparian is a park that offers stunning views of the city and is a popular spot for picnics.
- Lake View Park is a massive park that boasts of a lake, zoo, boating facilities, and many other recreational activities.
- Fatima Jinnah Park is perfect for families with walking trails, playgrounds, and picnic areas.
- Rawal Lake offers scenic views along with boating facilities and picnic spots.
- Daman-e-Koh provides an elevated viewpoint in the Margalla Hills offering panoramic views of Islamabad.
- Pakistan Monument Museum & Heritage Garden showcases Pakistan’s history and culture through art exhibitions and displays of artifacts.
- Golra Sharif Railway Museum displays vintage locomotives and railway equipment from the British colonial era in Pakistan in an outdoor museum setting.
- Islamabad Club Sports Complex offers various sports facilities including tennis courts, swimming pools, squash courts etc..
- Faisal Mosque which happens to be one of the largest mosques globally also stands as one of Islamabad’s most famous landmarks.
