Islamabad

Islamabad (ĭs'ləməbäd`, ĭslăm`–), city (1998 pop. 524,500), capital of Pakistan, NE Pakistan, just NE of Rawalpindi, the former interim capital. Construction of Islamabad [city of Islam] as the capital, replacing Karachi, began in 1960. There are light manufacturing industries. Points of interest include Pakistan House, the home of the president; the national assembly building; the National Univ.; the Grand National Mosque; and the botanical gardens. The nearby Murree Hills serve as a summer resort as well as summer headquarters for many diplomatic missions. Also near the city are the historical ruins of Taxila.

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Islamabad

Capital (pop., 1998: 529,180) of Pakistan, located northeast of Rawalpindi. Established in 1959 to replace Karachi as the capital, it was designed to blend modern and traditional Islamic architecture. The city itself is small, with an area of 25 sq mi (65 sq km), but the planned capital area has an expanse of 350 sq mi (906 sq km) of natural terraces and meadows surrounding the city. It is the seat of the University of Islamabad (founded 1965).

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Islamabad

the capital of Pakistan, in the north on the Potwar Plateau: site chosen in 1959; surrounded by the Capital Territory of Islamabad for 909 sq. km (351 sq. miles). Pop.: 770 000 (2005 est.)

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Islamabad 

the capital of Pakistan.

Islamabad is situated on the Potwar Plateau near the foothills of the Himalayas, in a valley at an altitude of 550 m. The city is well sited for transportation and has a good climate, with a temperature maximum of 39°C in July and a minimum of 3°C in January. Islamabad is the center of its own capital district. Population, 100,000 (1970), an increase of 50,000 over 1965.

The decision to build a new capital for Pakistan was taken by the government in 1959, the city plan was ready in 1960, and building commenced in 1961 at a site 28 km from the former capital, Rawalpindi. Layout and construction are being handled by foreign and Pakistani architects from plans produced by the firm of the Greek architect C.A. Doxiadis. Combining the characteristics of a modern European city with local architectural features, Islamabad has a regular layout and is zoned: there are business, government, and diplomatic sections, along with residential neighborhoods with flat-roofed houses of one and two stories, districts of handicraft production and light industry, and a greenbelt area. A hotel, the Scheherazade (Italian architect G. Ponti), and the Grand National Mosque have now been built; construction of the parliament building (Danish architect A. Jacobsen) began in 1972.

Of the city’s scientific and cultural institutions, the Pakistani Atomic Research Institute, the Islamic Studies Institute, and the National Library were functioning in 1971.