View source for Place:Islamabad

{{Short description|Capital city of Pakistan}}
{{pp-move}}
{{EngvarB|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Islamabad
| official_name      = 
| native_name        = {{Nastaliq|اسلام&zwnj;آباد}}
| other_name         = 
| settlement_type    = Federal capital city
| image_skyline      = {{Photomontage
 | photo1a = Faisal Mosque, Islamabad III.jpg
 | photo2a = Pakistan Monument Islamabad Capital.jpg
 | photo2b = Fatima Jinnah Park baradri By @ibneazhar (62).jpg
 | photo3a = Parliament House, Islamabad by Usman Ghani.jpg
 | photo3b = Supreme Court of Pakistan, Islamabad by Usman Ghani.jpg
 | photo4a = Faisal Masjid, Faisal Avenue, Islamabad, Pakistan.jpg
 | photo4b =
 | photo5a =
 | photo5b =
 | color = white
 | color_border = white
 | position = center
 | spacing = 2
 | size = 266
 | foot_montage =
 }}
| image_caption      = <div style="background:#fee8ab;"> '''Left-to-right from top:'''<br/>Islamabad Expressway, Pakistan Monument, Baradari at Fatima Jinnah Park, Parliament of Pakistan, Supreme Court of Pakistan, Faisal Mosque</div>
| nickname           = Isloo, The Green City
| image_map          = 
| map_caption        = 
| pushpin_map        = Pakistan#Asia
| pushpin_relief     = 
| pushpin_label_position = top
| coordinates        = {{coord|33|41|35|N|73|03|50|E|region:PK|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|Pakistan}}
| subdivision_type1  = Adm. Unit
| subdivision_name1  = Islamabad Capital Territory
| established_title  = Constructed
| established_date   = 1960
| established_title1 = Established
| established_date1  = {{Start date and age|1967|8|14|df=yes}}<ref name=McGarr>{{cite book |last=McGarr |first=Paul |date=2013 |title=The Cold War in South Asia: Britain, the United States and the Indian subcontinent, 1945-1965 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NdGaAAAAQBAJ&pg=PR9 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=9781107008151 |access-date=24 December 2020 |archive-date=18 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218090937/https://books.google.com/books?id=NdGaAAAAQBAJ&pg=PR9 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = Metropolitan Corporation
| unit_pref          = <!-- Enter: Imperial, if Imperial (metric) is desired -->
| leader_title1      = Mayor
| leader_name1       = None (vacant){{efn|Administrator system was implemented for 6 months before next local bodies election and Deputy Commissioner, Islamabad was given additional charge as Administrator in absence of Mayor on 28 October 2021.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://nation.com.pk/28-Oct-2021/hamaza-shafqat-appointed-administrator-mci-for-6-months|title=Hamaza Shafqat appointed Administrator MCI for 6 months|date=28 October 2021|access-date=5 January 2022|work=The Nation (newspaper)|archive-date=19 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119070915/https://nation.com.pk/28-Oct-2021/hamaza-shafqat-appointed-administrator-mci-for-6-months|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
| leader_title2      = Deputy Mayor
| leader_name2       = None (vacant)
| leader_title3      = Deputy Commissioner
| leader_name3       = Irfan Nawaz Memon (BPS-19 PAS)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1798972/college-staffs-winter-vacation-cancelled|title=College staff’s winter vacation cancelled|date=19 December 2023|access-date=19 December 2023|work=Dawn (newspaper)}}</ref>

<!-- General information -->| area_footnotes     = <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cda.gov.pk/about_islamabad/vitalstats.asp|title=CDA Facts & Figures|access-date=31 December 2017|archive-date=9 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109053219/http://www.cda.gov.pk/about_islamabad/vitalstats.asp|url-status=live}}</ref>
| area_blank1_title  = Parks
| total_type         = City
| area_total_km2     = 220.15
| area_metro_km2     = 906.50
| area_land_km2      = 
| area_water_km2     = 
| area_water_percent = 
| area_urban_km2     = 220.15
| area_rural_km2     = 
| area_blank1_km2    = 
| elevation_min_m    = 490
| population_total   = 1,108,872
| population_as_of   = 2023 census
| population_footnotes = <ref name="2023 Census">{{cite web |url = https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/Pakistan.pdf |title = Announcement of Results of 7th Population and Housing Census-2023 |date = 5 August 2023 |website = Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (www.pbs.gov.pk) |access-date = 24 November 2023 |archive-date = 14 August 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230814181311/https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/Pakistan.pdf |url-status = live }}</ref>
| population_density_km2 = 5,037
| population_urban   = 
| population_rural   = 
| population_density_metro_km2 = 2,608
| population_rank    = 9th (Pakistan)
| population_density_urban_sq_mi = 
| population_metro   = 2,363,863
| population_blank1_title = Rank (Metro)
| population_blank1  = 4th (Pakistan)
| population_demonym = Islamabadi<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mangobaaz.com/this-can-annoy-an-islamabadi|title=Here Are All The Things That Are Extremely Annoying For Every Real Islamabadi|date=2 July 2020|access-date=5 January 2022|work=[[Company:MangoBaaz|MangoBaaz]]}}</ref>
| population_note    = <!-- Area/postal codes and others -->
| postal_code_type   = Postcode
| postal_code        = 44000
| area_code          = 051
| website            = {{URL|https://ictadministration.gov.pk/}}
| elevation_max_ft   = 5196
| timezone           = [[Pakistan Standard Time|PKT]]
| utc_offset         = +05:00
| timezone_DST       = 
| utc_offset_DST     = 
| parts_type         = Constituencies
| image_blank_emblem = 
| blank_emblem_type  = Emblem
| image_seal         = 
| image_flag         = 
| imagesize          = 250px
| native_name_lang   = ur
| governing_body     = Capital Development Authority
}}

'''Islamabad''' ({{IPAc-en|ɪ|z|ˈ|l|ɑː|m|ə|b|æ|d}};<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.lexico.com/definition/Islamabad |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518051721/https://www.lexico.com/definition/Islamabad |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 May 2021 |title=Islamabad |dictionary=Lexico UK English Dictionary |publisher=[[Organization:Oxford University Press|Oxford University Press]]}}</ref> {{lang-ur|{{Nastaliq|اسلام&zwnj;آباد}}|translit=Islāmābād}}, {{Audio|LL-Q1617 (urd)-نعم البدل-اسلام آباد.wav|listen}}; {{translation|'City of [[Religion:Islam|Islam]]'}}) is the capital city of the {{wipe|Pakistan}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History and Heritage – ICT Administration |url=https://ictadministration.gov.pk/history-and-heritage/ |access-date=2023-09-24 |language=en-US |archive-date=29 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929101136/https://ictadministration.gov.pk/history-and-heritage/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It is the country's ninth-most populous city with a population of over 1.2 million people<ref name="2023 Census" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Islamabad, Pakistan Metro Area Population 1950-2023 |url=https://www.macrotrends.net/cities/22042/islamabad/population |access-date=2023-09-23 |website=www.macrotrends.net |archive-date=3 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203164634/https://www.macrotrends.net/cities/22042/islamabad/population |url-status=live }}</ref> and is federally administered by the Pakistani government as part of the Islamabad Capital Territory. Built as a planned city in the 1960s and established in 1967, it replaced [[Place:Karachi|Karachi]] as Pakistan's official national capital.

The Greek architect Constantinos Apostolou Doxiadis developed Islamabad's master plan, in which he divided it into eight zones; administrative, diplomatic enclave, residential areas, educational and industrial sectors, commercial areas, as well as rural and green areas administered by the Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation with support from the Capital Development Authority. Islamabad is known for its parks and forests, including the Margalla Hills National Park and the Shakarparian.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visitislamabad.net/islamabad/files/file-detail.asp?var=history-of-islamabad |title=Capital Development Authority |website=www.visitislamabad.net |access-date=7 June 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512180426/http://www.visitislamabad.net/islamabad/files/file-detail.asp?var=history-of-islamabad |archive-date=12 May 2016 }}</ref> It is home to several landmarks, including the country's flagship Faisal Mosque, which is the world's fifth-largest mosque. Other prominent landmarks include the Pakistan Monument and Democracy Square.<ref name="Noyes Mass">{{cite book|title=Back to Pakistan: A Fifty-Year Journey|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield Publishers|isbn=978-1442213197|url=https://archive.org/details/backtopakistanfi0000mass|url-access=registration|author=Leslie Noyes Mass|page=[https://archive.org/details/backtopakistanfi0000mass/page/170 170]|date=15 September 2011}}</ref><ref name="Ravi Kalia">{{cite book|title=Pakistan: From the Rhetoric of Democracy to the Rise of Militancy|publisher=Routledge|location=Pakistan|isbn=978-0415670401|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=86b0MINe_gsC&pg=PA83|author=Ravi Kalia|page=83|date=21 April 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/596791/national-monument-structure-reflects-history-of-pakistan/|title=National Monument: Structure reflects history of Pakistan – The Express Tribune|date=29 August 2013|website=The Express Tribune|language=en-US|access-date=13 June 2016|archive-date=28 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028155713/https://tribune.com.pk/story/596791/national-monument-structure-reflects-history-of-pakistan/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Rated as [[Organization:Globalization and World Cities Research Network#Gamma +|Gamma +]] by the [[Organization:Globalization and World Cities Research Network|Globalization and World Cities Research Network]],<ref>{{cite web |title=The World According to GaWC 2020 |url=https://www.lboro.ac.uk/gawc/world2020t.html |website=GaWC - Research Network |publisher=Globalization and World Cities |access-date=31 August 2020 |archive-date=24 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200824031341/https://www.lboro.ac.uk/gawc/world2020t.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Islamabad has the highest cost of living in Pakistan. The city's populace is dominated by both middle and upper-middle class citizens.<ref name="Hetland">{{Cite news|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1095012|title=Islamabad – a city only for the rich?|last=Hetland|first=Atle|date=23 March 2014|newspaper=DAWN.COM|access-date=23 October 2016|archive-date=24 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924142650/https://www.dawn.com/news/1095012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://nation.com.pk/islamabad/29-Sep-2014/g-12-a-sector-housing-rich-poor-alike|title=G-12, a sector housing rich, poor alike|newspaper=The Nation|language=en-US|access-date=23 October 2016|archive-date=17 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817202734/http://nation.com.pk/islamabad/29-Sep-2014/g-12-a-sector-housing-rich-poor-alike|url-status=live}}</ref> Islamabad is home to twenty universities, including Bahria University, Quaid-e-Azam University, PIEAS, COMSATS University, and NUST.<ref name="HEC Rankings">{{cite web|title=HEC University Rankings by Category |author=HEC, Pakistan |url=http://beta.hec.gov.pk/InsideHEC/Divisions/QALI/Others/RankingofUniversities/Pages/CategoryWise.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227130407/http://beta.hec.gov.pk/INSIDEHEC/DIVISIONS/QALI/OTHERS/RANKINGOFUNIVERSITIES/Pages/CategoryWise.aspx |archive-date=27 February 2012 }}</ref> It is also rated as one of the safest cities in Pakistan and has an expansive [[Radio-frequency identification|RFID]]-enabled surveillance system with almost 2,000 active [[Closed-circuit television|CCTV]] cameras.<ref name="tribune.com.pk">{{cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1117621/safe-city-project-gets-operational-islooites-promised-safety/|title=Safe City Project gets operational: Islooites promised safety – The Express Tribune|date=6 June 2016|website=The Express Tribune|language=en-US|access-date=7 June 2016|archive-date=7 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160607105655/http://tribune.com.pk/story/1117621/safe-city-project-gets-operational-islooites-promised-safety/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://nation.com.pk/islamabad/28-Mar-2015/crime-rate-in-islamabad-drops-claim-police|title=Crime rate in Islamabad drops, claim police|website=The Nation|language=en-US|date=28 March 2015|access-date=7 June 2016|archive-date=16 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016142456/http://nation.com.pk/islamabad/28-Mar-2015/crime-rate-in-islamabad-drops-claim-police|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Toponymy ==
The name ''Islamabad'' means ''City of Islam''. It is derived from two words: ''Islam'' and ''abad''. ''Islam'' refers to the religion of [[Religion:Islam|Islam]], Pakistan's [[Religion:State religion|state religion]], and ''-abad'' is a [[Social:Persian language|Persian]] suffix meaning ''cultivated place'', indicating an inhabited place or city.<ref name="Adrian Room">{{cite book|author=Adrian Room|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M1JIPAN-eJ4C&pg=PA177|title=Placenames of the World|date=13 December 2005|publisher=McFarland & Company|isbn=978-0786422487|page=177}}</ref> According to a history book by Muhammad Ismail Zabeeh, teacher and poet Qazi Abdur Rehman Amritsari proposed the name of the city.<ref>{{cite web|last=Capital Talk|date=6 February 2020|title=Islamabad Ka Naam Kisney Rakha Tha, Qaum Be-Khabr Kyun?|trans-title=Who Named Islamabad, Why Is the Nation Unaware?|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5BsT0rX5Zs&t=0m27s| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/v5BsT0rX5Zs| archive-date=2021-12-11 | url-status=live|access-date=26 June 2020|website=YouTube|language=ur|type=Video|via=Geo News}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/urdu/pakistan-60496544 |title=اسلام آباد: پاکستان کے وفاقی دارالحکومت کا نام کس نے اور کیسے تجویز کیا؟ - BBC News اردو |newspaper=BBC News اردو |publisher=Bbc.com |date= |accessdate=2022-02-26 |archive-date=24 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224060913/https://www.bbc.com/urdu/pakistan-60496544 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Occasionally in writing, Islamabad is colloquially abbreviated ''ISB''. Such usage originated in SMS language, in part due to the IATA location identifier for the Islamabad International Airport.

==History==

===Early history===
Islamabad Capital Territory, located on the Pothohar Plateau of the northern Punjab region, is considered one of the earliest sites of human settlement in Asia.<ref name="Pakistan net">{{cite web|title=Islamabad history |publisher=Pakistan.net |url=http://www.pakistan.net/cities/islamabad/islamabad.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080630100106/http://www.pakistan.net/cities/islamabad/islamabad.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 June 2008 }}</ref> Some of the earliest Stone Age artefacts in the world have been found on the plateau, dating from 100,000 to 500,000 years ago. Rudimentary stones recovered from the terraces of the Soan River testify to the endeavours of early man in the [[Earth:Glacial period|inter-glacial]] period.<ref name="defence"/> Items of pottery and utensils dating back to prehistory have been found.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://beta.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/metropolitan/16-sacred-rocks-of-islamabad-hs-10 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20090807034256/http://beta.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/metropolitan/16-sacred-rocks-of-islamabad-hs-10 |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 August 2009 |title=Sacred rocks of Islamabad |work=Dawn |date=2 August 2009 |access-date=27 June 2010 }}</ref>

Excavations by Dr. Abdul Ghafoor Lone reveal evidence of a prehistoric culture in the area. Relics and human skulls have been found dating back to 5000 BCE that indicate the region was home to [[History:Neolithic|Neolithic]] peoples who settled on the banks of the Soan<ref name="Pakistan net"/> and who later developed small communities in the region around 3000 BCE.<ref name="defence">{{cite web|title=Potohar|author=Pakistan Defence Ministry|url=http://www.defence.pk/forums/military-history/3753-potohar.html|access-date=29 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101106014747/http://www.defence.pk/forums/military-history/3753-potohar.html|archive-date=6 November 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Background on the Potohar Plateau |author=LEAD |url=http://casestudies.lead.org/index.php?cscid=71 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720192217/http://casestudies.lead.org/index.php?cscid=71 |archive-date=20 July 2011 }}</ref>

The Indus Valley civilization flourished in the region between the 23rd and 18th centuries BCE. Later the area was an early settlement of the [[Unsolved:Aryan|Aryan]] community [[History:Indo-Aryan migrations|which migrated]] into the region from [[Place:Central Asia|Central Asia]].<ref name="Pakistan net"/> Many great armies such as those of Zahiruddin Babur, Genghis Khan, Timur and Ahmad Shah Durrani crossed the region during their invasions of the [[Earth:Indian subcontinent|Indian subcontinent]].<ref name="Pakistan net"/><ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-03-27 |title=Saidpur Village – a witness to history |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1073941/saidpur-village-a-witness-to-history |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en |archive-date=18 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118145357/https://tribune.com.pk/story/1073941/saidpur-village-a-witness-to-history |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2015–16, the Federal Department of Archaeology and Museums, with the financial support of National Fund for Cultural Heritage, carried out initial archaeological excavations in which unearthed the remains of a Buddhist stupa at Ban Faqiran, near the Shah Allah Ditta caves, which was dated to the 2nd to the 5th century CE.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Taxila: Mughal-era coin & 'longest staircase' unearthed near Ban Faqiran|last=Amjid|first=Iqbal|date=29 February 2016|work=Daily Dawn News}}</ref>

<gallery mode="packed" heights="120px" widths="px">
File:Gate of Pharwala Fort toward the Swaan stream.JPG|15th-century Pharwala Fort beside the Swaan River
File:Mausoleum_of_Meher_Ali_Shah_by_Balochlens.jpg|The Shrine of Meher Ali Shah was completed immediately before construction began on the future capital city just east of the shrine
File:Shah_Allah_Ditta_caves_2.JPG|The caves at Shah Allah Ditta, on Islamabad's outskirts, were part of an ancient Buddhist monastic community
File:Saidpur 1.jpg|The restored village of Saidpur predates the surrounding city of Islamabad
</gallery>

===Construction and development===
When Pakistan gained independence in 1947, the southern port city of [[Place:Karachi|Karachi]] was its provisional national capital. In 1958, a commission was constituted to select a suitable site near [[Place:Rawalpindi|Rawalpindi]] for the national capital with particular emphasis on location, climate, logistics, and defence requirements, along with other attributes. After extensive study, research, and a thorough review of potential sites, the commission recommended the area northeast of Rawalpindi in 1959 which was used as provisional capital from that year on.<ref name="New Orient"/><ref name="M. Bloom">{{cite book|title=The Grove Encyclopedia of Islamic Art & Architecture|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=USA|isbn=978-0195309911|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=un4WcfEASZwC&pg=RA1-PA309|editor=Jonathan M. Bloom|page=309|date=23 March 2009}}</ref> In the 1960s, Islamabad was constructed as a forward capital for several reasons.<ref>{{cite web|title=City of Islamabad |url=http://www.islamabad.gov.pk/islamabad/default.asp |publisher=Capital Development Authority, Govt. of Pakistan |access-date=17 October 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012210555/http://www.islamabad.gov.pk/islamabad/default.asp |archive-date=12 October 2014 }}</ref> Karachi was also located at the southern end of the country, and exposed to attacks from the Arabian Sea. Pakistan needed a capital that was easily accessible from all parts of the country.<ref name="New Orient">{{cite journal|title=New Orient|year=1965|volume=4–6|page=565|journal=Czechoslovak Society for Eastern Studies|location=Prague|issn=0548-6408|oclc=2264893}}</ref><ref name=Weightman>{{cite book|title=Dragons and Tigers: A Geography of South, East, and Southeast Asia|publisher=Wiley|isbn=978-0470876282|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qeBfed17zxEC&pg=PA187|author=Barbara A. Weightman|edition=3rd|page=187|date=15 March 2011}}</ref> Karachi, a business centre, was also considered unsuitable partly because of intervention of business interests in government affairs.<ref name=Saxon/> The newly selected location of Islamabad was closer to the army headquarters in Rawalpindi and the disputed territory of [[Place:Kashmir|Kashmir]] in the north.<ref name="Pakistan net"/>

A Greek firm of architects, led by Konstantinos Apostolos Doxiadis, designed the master plan of the city based on a grid plan which was triangular in shape with its apex towards the Margalla Hills.<ref>{{cite web|title=History of Islamabad |author=CDA Islamabad |url=http://www.visitislamabad.net/islamabad/files/file-detail.asp?var=history-of-islamabad |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512180426/http://www.visitislamabad.net/islamabad/files/file-detail.asp?var=history-of-islamabad |archive-date=12 May 2016 }}</ref> The capital was not moved directly from Karachi to Islamabad; it was first shifted temporarily to Rawalpindi in the early 1960s and then to Islamabad when essential development work was completed in 1966.<ref name="Maneesha Tikekar">{{cite book|title=Across the Wagah: An Indian's Sojourn in Pakistan|publisher=Promilla|isbn=978-8185002347|pages=23–62|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HGqsWktyFcEC&pg=PA23|author=Maneesha Tikekar|date=1 January 2004}}</ref> In 1981, Islamabad separated from Punjab province to form Capital Territory. Such world-renowned architects as  Edward Durell Stone and Gio Ponti have been associated with the city's development.<ref name=":1" />

===Recent history===
[[File:Islamabad Metro Bus.JPG|thumb|The Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metrobus was built in 2015 to connect Islamabad with neighbouring Rawalpindi.]]
Islamabad has attracted people from all over Pakistan, making it one of the most cosmopolitan and urbanised cities of Pakistan.<ref>{{cite web|title=Islamabad Demographics|author=CDA Islamabad|url=http://www.visitislamabad.net/islamabad/files/file-detail.asp?var=demographics|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090926114716/http://www.visitislamabad.net/islamabad/files/file-detail.asp?var=demographics|archive-date=26 September 2009}}</ref> As the capital city it has hosted numerous important meetings, such as the [[Organization:South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation|South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation]] summit in 2004.<ref>{{cite web|title=Islamabad making history|author=DAWN News|url=http://www.dawn.com/2004/01/04/top5.htm|date=4 January 2004|access-date=29 September 2009|archive-date=13 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013071727/http://www.dawn.com/2004/01/04/top5.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

The city suffered damage from the 2005 Kashmir earthquake which had a magnitude of 7.6.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4323008.stm|title=Quake's terrible toll is revealed|date=9 October 2005|access-date=5 May 2010|work=BBC News|archive-date=24 February 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070224145831/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4323008.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> Islamabad has experienced a series of terrorist incidents including the July 2007 Siege of Lal Masjid (Red Mosque), the June 2008 Danish embassy bombing, and the September 2008 Marriott bombing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?menu=c10400&no=383721&rel_no=1|title=Timeline of Suicide Blasts in Islamabad|author=OhmyNews|access-date=25 October 2009|archive-date=19 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119160136/http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?menu=c10400&no=383721&rel_no=1|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2011, four terrorism incidents occurred in the city, killing four people, including the murder of the Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer.<ref name="2011 terrorism">{{cite news|url=http://dawn.com/2012/01/05/islamabad-saw-four-terror-attacks-last-year/|title=Islamabad saw four terror attacks last year|author=Munawer Azeem|date=5 January 2012|newspaper=Dawn|access-date=2 July 2012|location=Islamabad|archive-date=17 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117005107/http://dawn.com/2012/01/05/islamabad-saw-four-terror-attacks-last-year/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Construction of the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metrobus, the region's first mass transit line, began in February 2014 and was completed in March 2015. The Rawalpindi Development Authority built the project at a cost of approximately Rs 24 billion, which was shared by both the Federal government and the provincial government of Punjab.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1083242/shahbaz-to-inaugurate-work-on-metro-bus-service-on-feb-28|title=Shahbaz to inaugurate work on Metro Bus Service on Feb 28|author=A Reporter|work=dawn.com|access-date=14 March 2016|date=28 January 2014|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304031745/http://www.dawn.com/news/1083242/shahbaz-to-inaugurate-work-on-metro-bus-service-on-feb-28|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Geography==
<gallery mode="packed" heights="130">
File:Islamabad from Satellite.jpg|Satellite view of Islamabad-Rawalpindi Metropolitan Area with Margalla Hills in the north.
File:Faisal Masjid seen from Margalla Hills.jpg|Margalla Hills, Islamabad
File:ALI_MUJTABA_WLM2015_FAISAL_MOSQUE_DSC_1542_m.jpg|Islamabad's verdant cityscape merges with the Margalla Hills
File:Sector E-8 Islamabad.jpg|Islamabad's lush landscape
File:Ataturk Avenue - Islamabad.JPG|Islamabad's deciduous trees change colours in autumn
</gallery>

Islamabad is located at {{Coord|33.43|N|73.04|E|}} at the northern edge of the Pothohar Plateau and at the foot of the Margalla Hills in Islamabad Capital Territory. Its elevation is {{convert|540|m}}.<ref name="D. Brunn">{{cite book|title=Cities of the World: World Regional Urban Development|year=2003|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield Publishers|isbn=978-0847698981|pages=[https://archive.org/details/citiesofworld00stan/page/368 368]–369|url=https://archive.org/details/citiesofworld00stan|url-access=registration|author=Stanley D. Brunn|edition=3rd|author2=Jack F. Williams |author3=Donald J. Zeigler|chapter=Cities of South Asia}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Islamabad Airport|publisher=Climate Charts|url=http://www.climate-charts.com/Locations/p/PK41571.php#data|access-date=28 August 2009|archive-date=22 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090722121742/http://www.climate-charts.com/Locations/p/PK41571.php#data|url-status=live}}</ref> The modern capital and the ancient Gakhar city of Rawalpindi form a conurbation and are commonly referred to as the Twin Cities.<ref name="Yasmeen Niaz">{{cite book|title=Pakistan: A Global Studies Handbook|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1851098019|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OTMy0B9OZjAC&pg=PA299|author=Yasmeen Niaz Mohiuddin|edition=1st|access-date=1 July 2012|page=299|date=27 November 2006}}</ref><ref name=Saxon>{{cite news|title=New Capital City With an Industrial Twin|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/04/11/world/new-capital-city-with-an-industrial-twin.html|access-date=1 July 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|date=11 April 1988|author=Wolfgang Saxon|archive-date=9 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509230358/http://www.nytimes.com/1988/04/11/world/new-capital-city-with-an-industrial-twin.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

To the northeast of the city lies the colonial era hill station of Murree, and to the north lies the Haripur District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Kahuta lies on the southeast, [[Place:Taxila|Taxila]], Wah Cantt, and Attock District to the northwest, Gujar Khan, Rawat, and Mandrah on the southeast, and the metropolis of [[Place:Rawalpindi|Rawalpindi]] to the south and southwest. Islamabad is located {{convert|120|km}} SSW of Muzaffarabad, {{convert|185|km}} east of Peshawar and {{convert|295|km}} NNW of Lahore.

Islamabad covers an area of {{convert|906|km2}}.<ref>Butt, M. J., Waqas, A., Iqbal, M, F., Muhammad., G., and Lodhi, M. A. K., 2011, "Assessment of Urban Sprawl of Islamabad Metropolitan Area Using Multi-Sensor and Multi-Temporal Satellite Data." ''Arabian Journal For Science And Engineering''. Digital Object Identifier (DOI): 10.1007/s13369-011-0148-3.</ref> A further {{convert|2717|km2}} area is known as the Specified Area, with the Margala Hills in the north and northeast. The southern portion of the city is an undulating plain. It is drained by the Kurang River, on which the Rawal Dam is located.<ref name=":1">{{cite encyclopedia| title=Islamabad| encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica| date=23 May 2023| url=https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/295631/Islamabad#ref749695| access-date=23 June 2022| archive-date=3 May 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150503191505/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/295631/Islamabad#ref749695| url-status=live}}</ref>

===Climate===

[[File:Margalla_Hills_Islamabad.jpg|thumb|Islamabad's annual precipitation allows for the growth of lush forests in the city's hills.]]

Islamabad has a [[Earth:Humid subtropical climate|humid subtropical climate]] ([[Earth:Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: Cwa), with five seasons: Winter (November–February), Spring (March and April), Summer (May and June), Rainy Monsoon (July and August) and Autumn (September and October). The hottest month is June, where average highs routinely exceed {{Convert|38|C|F|1}}. The wettest month is July, with heavy rainfalls and evening thunderstorms with the possibility of [[Earth:Cloudburst|cloudburst]] and flooding. The coolest month is January.

Islamabad's micro-climate is regulated by three artificial reservoirs: Rawal, Simli, and Khanpur Dam. The latter is located on the Haro River near the town of Khanpur, about {{convert|40|km}} from Islamabad. Simli Dam is {{convert|30|km}} north of Islamabad. {{convert|220|acre}} of the city consists of Margalla Hills National Park. Loi Bher Forest is situated along the Islamabad Highway, covering an area of {{convert|1087|acre}}.<ref>{{cite web|title=Urban growth monitoring along Islamabad Highway|publisher=GIS Development|url=http://www.gisdevelopment.net/application/urban/agglomeration/ma03112a.htm|access-date=29 August 2009|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924022334/http://www.gisdevelopment.net/application/urban/agglomeration/ma03112a.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The highest monthly rainfall of {{convert|743.3|mm|in|abbr=on}} was recorded during July 1995.<ref name="pakmet.com.pk">{{cite web|url=http://www.pakmet.com.pk/cdpc/extrems/islamabad.htm|access-date=14 January 2012|title=Climate Records: Islamabad|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112060839/http://www.pakmet.com.pk/cdpc/extrems/islamabad.htm|archive-date=12 January 2012}}</ref> Winters generally feature dense fog in the mornings and sunny afternoons. In the city, temperatures stay mild, with snowfall over the higher-elevation points on nearby hill stations, notably Murree and Nathia Gali. The temperatures range from {{convert|13|C|F|}} in January to {{convert|38|C|F}} in June. The highest recorded temperature was {{convert|46.6|C|F}} on 23 June 2005 while the lowest temperature was {{convert|−6.0|C|F|1}} on 17 January 1967.<ref name="archived-pakmet">{{cite web|url=http://www.pakmet.com.pk/cdpc/Climate/Islamabad_Climate_Data.txt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613053217/http://www.pakmet.com.pk/cdpc/Climate/Islamabad_Climate_Data.txt|archive-date=13 June 2010|date=13 June 2010|access-date=15 January 2012|title=Best Housing Societies in Islamabad to Invest in 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/world/city_guides/results.shtml?tt=TT002680|title=Average Conditions, Islamabad, Pakistan|access-date=25 September 2009|archive-date=13 February 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060213002216/http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/world/city_guides/results.shtml?tt=TT002680|url-status=dead}}</ref> Light snowfall sometimes happens on the peaks of the hills visible from the city, though this is rare.<ref>{{cite web|title=Margalla hills receive snowfall after decade|url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/101036-Margalla-hills-receive-snowfall-after-decade|access-date=30 September 2021|archive-date=30 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930154510/https://www.geo.tv/latest/101036-Margalla-hills-receive-snowfall-after-decade|url-status=live}}</ref> Snowfall does not occur in the city itself. On 23 July 2001, Islamabad received a record-breaking {{convert|620|mm|in|abbr=on}} of rainfall in just 10 hours. It was the heaviest rainfall in Islamabad in the past 100 years and the highest rainfall in 24 hours as well.<ref>{{cite web|title=Severe Storms on dated 23rd July 2001 Islamabad, Pakistan|publisher=Abdul Hameed, Director Pakistan Meteorological Department|url=http://www.essl.org/ECSS/2007/abs/02-Case-study/sheikh-1-sec02.oral.pdf|access-date=21 July 2009|archive-date=29 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229004924/http://www.essl.org/ECSS/2007/abs/02-Case-study/sheikh-1-sec02.oral.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Weather Log&nbsp;– July 21–31, 2001|publisher=National Climatic Data Center|date=6 August 2001|url=http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/extremes/2001/july/extremes0701.html|access-date=21 July 2009|archive-date=24 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324083743/http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/extremes/2001/july/extremes0701.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Cityscape==
[[File:Islamabad Zone Map.png|thumb|Islamabad Zones]]
{| class="toccolours" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" style="float:right; margin:0 0 1em 1em; font-size:90%;"
|-
! colspan="3"  style="background:#ace1af; text-align:center;"| Zones in Islamabad
|-
! rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| Zone
! colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| Area
|-
! style="text-align:center;"| acres
! style="text-align:center;"| km<sup>2</sup>
|-
| colspan=3|
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| I
| {{convert|54958.25|acre|km2|disp=tablecen}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| II
| {{convert|9804.92|acre|km2|disp=tablecen}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| III
| {{convert|50393.01|acre|km2|disp=tablecen}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| IV
| {{convert|69814.35|acre|km2|disp=tablecen}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| V
| {{convert|39029.45|acre|km2|disp=tablecen}}
|-
| colspan=3|
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| Source: || Lahore Real Estate<ref name="map">{{cite web|title=Map of Islamabad|author=DHA Lahore|url=http://www.lahorerealestate.com/Maps/Islamabad%20Master%20Map.jpg|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100214070456/http://www.lahorerealestate.com/Maps/Islamabad%20Master%20Map.jpg|archive-date=14 February 2010}}</ref>
|}

===Civic administration===
The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration, generally known as ICT Administration or Islamabad Administration, is the civil administration as well as main law and order agency of the Federal Capital.

The local government authority of the city is the Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation (IMC) with some help from Capital Development Authority (CDA), which oversees the planning, development, construction, and administration of the city.<ref name="TN">{{cite news|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/102224-70-CDA-employees-to-be-transferred-to-Islamabad-Metropolitan-Corporation|title=70% CDA employees to be transferred to Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation|work=The Nation|date=2 March 2016|access-date=9 September 2016|first=Muhammad|last=Anis|archive-date=19 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919022736/https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/102224-70-CDA-employees-to-be-transferred-to-Islamabad-Metropolitan-Corporation|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=CDA|author=CDA Official site|url=http://www.cda.gov.pk/cda-latest/files/file.asp?var=aboutus|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090905214400/http://www.cda.gov.pk/cda-latest/files/file.asp?var=aboutus|archive-date=5 September 2009}}</ref> Islamabad Capital Territory is divided into eight zones: Administrative Zone, Commercial District, Educational Sector, Industrial Sector, Diplomatic Enclave, Residential Areas, Rural Areas and Green Area.<ref name="Islamabad.com">{{cite web|title=The Idea of Islamabad|publisher=TheIslamabad.com|url=http://www.theislamabad.com/|access-date=28 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090910064024/http://www.theislamabad.com/|archive-date=10 September 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> Islamabad city is divided into five major zones: Zone I, Zone II, Zone III, Zone IV, and Zone V. Out of these, Zone IV is the largest in area.<ref name="map" /> Zone I consists mainly of all the developed residential sectors while Zone II consists of the under-developed residential sectors. Each residential sector is identified by a letter of the alphabet and a number, and covers an area of approximately 2&nbsp;km&nbsp;× 2&nbsp;km ({{Frac|1|1|4}}&nbsp;mi&nbsp;× {{Frac|1|1|4}}&nbsp;mi). The sectors are lettered from A to I, and each sector is divided into four numbered sub-sectors.<ref name="S. Hull">{{cite book|title=Government of Paper: The Materiality of Bureaucracy in Urban Pakistan|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=978-0520272156|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2ZqVvQN9PTwC&pg=PA50|author=Matthew S. Hull|edition=1st|access-date=4 July 2012|page=50|date=5 June 2012}}</ref>

===Sectors===

[[File:Islamabad map.png|thumb|The five zones and sectors of Islamabad]]

Series A, B, and C are still underdeveloped. The D series has seven sectors (D-11 to D-17),<ref name="map"/> of which only sector D-12 is completely developed. This series is located at the foot of Margalla Hills.<ref name="Islamabad.com"/> The E Sectors are named from E-7 to E-17.<ref name="map"/> Many foreigners and diplomatic personnel are housed in these sectors.<ref name="Islamabad.com"/> In the revised Master Plan of the city, CDA has decided to develop a park on the pattern of Fatima Jinnah Park in sector E-14. Sectors E-8 and E-9 contain the campuses of Bahria University, Air University, and the National Defence University.<ref>{{cite web|title=Official website|author=Bahria University|url=http://bci.edu.pk/index.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100301122834/http://www.bci.edu.pk/index.aspx|archive-date=1 March 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Official website|author=Air University|url=http://www.au.edu.pk/#|access-date=26 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100208205245/http://www.au.edu.pk/|archive-date=8 February 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Official website|author=National Defence University|url=http://www.ndu.edu.pk/|access-date=25 September 2021|archive-date=21 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921014444/https://ndu.edu.pk/|url-status=live}}</ref> The F and G series contains the most developed sectors. F series contains sectors F-5 to F-17; some sectors are still under-developed.<ref name="map"/> F-5 is an important sector for the software industry in Islamabad, as the two software technology parks are located here. The entire F-9 sector is covered with Fatima Jinnah Park. The Centaurus complex is a major landmark of the F-8 sector.<ref name="Islamabad.com"/> G sectors are numbered G-5 through G-17.<ref name="map"/> Some important places include the Jinnah Convention Centre and Serena Hotel in G-5, the Red Mosque in G-6, the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, the largest medical complex in the capital, located in G-8,<ref name="Islamabad.com"/> and the Karachi Company shopping center in G-9.

The H sectors are numbered H-8 through H-17.<ref name="map"/> The H sectors are mostly dedicated to educational and health institutions. National University of Sciences and Technology covers a major portion of sector H-12.<ref name="Islamabad.com"/> The I sectors are numbered from I-8 to I-18. With the exception of I-8, which is a well-developed residential area, these sectors are primarily part of the industrial zone. Two sub-sectors of I-9 and one sub-sector of I-10 are used as industrial areas. CDA is planning to set up Islamabad Railway Station in Sector I-18 and Industrial City in sector I-17.<ref name="Islamabad.com"/> Zone III consists primarily of the Margalla Hills and Margalla Hills National Park. Rawal Lake is in this zone. Zone IV and V consist of Islamabad Park, and rural areas of the city. The Soan River flows into the city through Zone V.<ref name="map"/>

[[File:Islamabad skyline.jpg|thumbnail|Islamabad skyline]]

=== Islamabad–Rawalpindi metropolitan area ===
When the master plan for Islamabad was drawn up in 1960, Islamabad and Rawalpindi, along with the adjoining areas, was to be integrated to form a large metropolitan area called Islamabad/Rawalpindi Metropolitan Area. The area would consist of the developing Islamabad, the old colonial cantonment city of Rawalpindi, and Margalla Hills National Park, including surrounding rural areas.<ref name="Dulyapak">{{cite book|title=Engineering Earth: The Impacts of Megaengineering Projects|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-9048199198|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mEyjMx7EV8IC&pg=PA1041|author=Dulyapak Preecharushh|edition=1st|editor=Stanley D. Brunn|page=1041|chapter=Myanmar's New Capital City of Naypyidaw|date=6 April 2011}}</ref><ref name="Isocarp">{{cite web|author=Muhammad|title=Planning of Islamabad and Rawalpindi|url=http://www.isocarp.net/Data/case_studies/720.pdf|access-date=28 August 2009|archive-date=4 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404210301/https://www.isocarp.net/Data/case_studies/720.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> However, Islamabad city is part of the Islamabad Capital Territory, while [[Place:Rawalpindi|Rawalpindi]] is part of Rawalpindi District, which is part of province of Punjab.<ref name="USgov_pub">{{Cite journal|last=Sheikh|first=Iqbal M.|author2=Van S. Williams|author3=S. Qamer Raza|author4=Kanwar S.A. Khan|title=Environmental Geology of the Islamabad-Rawalpindi Area, Northern Pakistan|journal=Regional Studies of the Potwar Plateau Area, Northern Pakistan|publisher=U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey|url=http://pubs.usgs.gov/bul/2078/B2078_chapter_G.pdf|access-date=28 August 2009|archive-date=20 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020155628/https://pubs.usgs.gov/bul/2078/B2078_chapter_G.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

Initially, it was proposed that the three areas would be connected by four major highways: Murree Highway, Islamabad Highway, Soan Highway, and Capital Highway. However, to date only two highways have been constructed: Kashmir Highway (the former Murree Highway) and Islamabad Highway.<ref name="Isocarp"/> Plans of constructing Margalla Avenue are also underway.<ref>{{cite web|title=Margalla Avenue to benefit commuters of KPK, traffic on Kashmir Highway|url=http://pakistan.onepakistan.com.pk/news/city/islamabad/102558-margalla-avenue-to-benefit-commuters-of-kpk-traffic-on-kashmir-highway-chairman-cda.html|work=OnePakistan|access-date=7 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304113900/http://pakistan.onepakistan.com.pk/news/city/islamabad/102558-margalla-avenue-to-benefit-commuters-of-kpk-traffic-on-kashmir-highway-chairman-cda.html|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Islamabad is the hub all the governmental activities while Rawalpindi is the centre of all industrial, commercial, and military activities. The two cities are considered sister cities and are highly interdependent.<ref name="Dulyapak"/>

<gallery mode="packed" heights="120">
File:Faisal Mosque in the background of Centaurus Mall.jpg|Aerial view of The Centaurus
File:Ufone and ISE Tower Islamabad.jpg|Ufone Tower & ISE Tower
File:Pak Secretariat buildings,Islamabad by Usman Ghani.jpg|Pakistan Secretariat
File:Crescent and Star Monument.jpg|Star and Crescent Monument near the start of Shakarparian
File:Faisal Masjid From Damn e koh.jpg|Faisal Mosque
File:Daman-E-Koh.jpg|Daman-e-Koh Park
File:Glorious Sunset in Islamabad.jpg|Sunset over the Lake View Park
File:Hassle Bassle Islamabad.jpg|Night view of Blue Area, the commercial hub of the city.
File:Blue Area, Islamabad.png|Blue Area and Jinnah Avenue
File:Constitution Avenue.jpg|Constitution Avenue
File:Said Pur Village.jpg|Saidpur Village
File:Shaheen Chowk Islamabad.jpg|Shaheen Chowk Islamabad
</gallery>

===Architecture===
[[File:Dewan Masjid Islamabad.jpg|thumb|Dewan Masjid Islamabad]]
[[File:F9 islamabad.jpg|thumb|Monument in F-9 Park]]
Islamabad's architecture is a combination of modernity and old Islamic and regional traditions. The Saudi-Pak Tower is an example of the integration of modern architecture with traditional styles. The beige-coloured edifice is trimmed with blue tile works in Islamic tradition, and is one of Islamabad's tallest buildings. Other examples of intertwined Islamic and modern architecture include Pakistan Monument and Faisal Mosque. Other notable structures are: Secretariat Complex designed by Gio Ponti, Prime Minister's secretariat based on Mughal architecture and the National Assembly by Edward Durell Stone.<ref name="M. Bloom"/>

The murals on the inside of the large petals of Pakistan Monument are based on Islamic architecture.<ref>[http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007%5C03%5C30%5Cstory_30-3-2007_pg11_2 National Monument&nbsp;— a symbol of unity] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090115205228/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007%5C03%5C30%5Cstory_30-3-2007_pg11_2 |date=15 January 2009 }}. Daily Times. 30 March. Retrieved 23 March 2008</ref> The Shah Faisal Mosque is a fusion of contemporary architecture with a more traditional large triangular prayer hall and four minarets, designed by Vedat Dalokay, a Turkish architect and built with the help of funding provided by King Faisal of Saudi Arabia.<ref name="Lee Palmer">{{cite book|title=The A to Z of Architecture|publisher=Scarecrow Press|isbn=978-0810868953|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=diPlsp8g5NsC&pg=PA149|author=Allison Lee Palmer|access-date=1 July 2012|page=149|date=12 October 2009}}</ref> The architecture of Faisal Mosque is unusual as it lacks a dome structure. It is a combination of Arabic, Turkish, and Mughal architectural traditions.<ref>{{cite web|title=Faisal Mosque |author=Archnet |url=http://archnet.org/library/sites/one-site.jsp?site_id=864 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110503231203/http://archnet.org/library/sites/one-site.jsp?site_id=864 |archive-date= 3 May 2011 }}</ref> The Centaurus is an example of modern architecture under construction in Islamabad. The seven star hotel was designed by WS Atkins PLC.The newly built Islamabad Stock Exchange Towers is another example of modern architecture in the city.<ref>{{cite web|title=Islamabad Stock Exchange Towers|author=Islamabad Stock Exchange-Official Website|url=http://www.ise.com.pk/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050204100603/http://www.ise.com.pk/|archive-date=4 February 2005}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations
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|percentages = 
|footnote    = 
|source      =<ref name="pocketbook2006">{{cite book|last1=Elahi|first1=Asad|year=2006|chapter=2: Population|chapter-url=http://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/other/pocket_book2006/2.pdf|title=Pakistan Statistical Pocket Book 2006|url=http://www.pbs.gov.pk/content/pakistan-statistical-pocket-book-2006|publisher=Government of Pakistan: Statistics Division|place=Islamabad, Pakistan|publication-date=2006|page=28|access-date=29 March 2018|archive-date=30 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330211332/http://www.pbs.gov.pk/content/pakistan-statistical-pocket-book-2006|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="census2017">{{cite report|date=2017|title=DISTRICT WISE CENSUS RESULTS CENSUS 2017|url=http://www.pbscensus.gov.pk/sites/default/files/DISTRICT_WISE_CENSUS_RESULTS_CENSUS_2017.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829164748/http://www.pbscensus.gov.pk/sites/default/files/DISTRICT_WISE_CENSUS_RESULTS_CENSUS_2017.pdf|archive-date=29 August 2017|publisher=Pakistan Bureau of Statistics|page=13|access-date=29 March 2018}}</ref>
|1972 |77000
|1981 |204000
|1998 |529180
|2017 |2014825
}}
[[File:Islamabad population pyramid.svg|thumb|Islamabad population pyramid in 2017]]

===Language===
{{Pie chart|thumb=right|caption=Languages by number of speakers in Islamabad<ref name="PBC 2017">{{Cite book|url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files//population_census/results/13511.pdf|title=PBC 2017 Statistics|access-date=22 April 2022|archive-date=10 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510222744/https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files//population_census/results/13511.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>|label1=[[Social:Punjabi language|Punjabi]]|value1=52.23|color1=#f7a52a|label2=[[Social:Pashto|Pashto]]|value2=18.50|color2=green|value3=12.23|color3=yellow|label3=[[Social:Urdu|Urdu]]|value4=6.40|label5=Other|value5=10.64|color5=grey|label4=Hindko}}

According to 2017 census, the mother tongue of the majority of the population is [[Social:Punjabi language|Punjabi]] at 52% (a decrease of 18% from the 1998 census), and a major dialect is Pothohari, 19% of the population are [[Social:Pashto|Pashto speakers]], while an additional 12% speak [[Social:Urdu|Urdu]], the national language, whereas the rest 17% speak other languages.<ref>{{cite web|title=POPULATION BY MOTHER TONGUE |author=Population Census Organization, Govt. of Pakistan |url=http://www.statpak.gov.pk/depts/pco/statistics/other_tables/pop_by_mother_tongue.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060217220529/http://www.statpak.gov.pk/depts/pco/statistics/other_tables/pop_by_mother_tongue.pdf |archive-date=17 February 2006 }}</ref> Similarly according to 1998 census, the total migrant population of the city is 1 million, with the majority (691,977) coming from Punjab. Around 210,614 of the migrated population came from Sindh and rest from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Kashmir. Smaller populations emigrated from Balochistan, and Gilgit–Baltistan.<ref>{{cite web|title=MIGRANT POPULATION BY PLACE OF BIRTH|author=Population Census Organization, Govt. of Pakistan|url=http://www.statpak.gov.pk/depts/pco/statistics/other_tables/migrant.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101113175441/http://www.statpak.gov.pk/depts/pco/statistics/other_tables/migrant.pdf|archive-date=13 November 2010}}</ref>

===Literacy===
The majority of the population lies in the age group of 15–64 years, around 59.38%. Only 2.73% of the population is above 65 years of age; 37.90% is below the age of 15.<ref>{{cite web|title=POPULATION BY SELECTIVE AGE GROUPS |author=Population Census Organization, Govt. of Pakistan |url=http://www.statpak.gov.pk/depts/pco/statistics/other_tables/pop_by_age_group.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100827004028/http://www.statpak.gov.pk/depts/pco/statistics/other_tables/pop_by_age_group.pdf |archive-date=27 August 2010 }}</ref> Islamabad has the highest literacy rate in Pakistan, at 88%.<ref name=PBS>{{cite web|title=Literacy Rate|url=http://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/pslm/publications/pslm_prov2010-11/tables/2.14a.pdf|publisher=Pakistan Bureau of Statistics|access-date=22 September 2013|archive-date=27 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927210644/http://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/pslm/publications/pslm_prov2010-11/tables/2.14a.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> 9.8% of the population has done intermediate education (equivalent to grades 11 and 12). 10.26% have a bachelor or equivalent degree while 5.2% have a master or equivalent degree.<ref>{{cite web|title=Population by Level of Education |author=Population Census Organization, Govt. of Pakistan |url=http://www.statpak.gov.pk/depts/pco/statistics/pop_education/pop_education_rural_urban.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090720044627/http://www.statpak.gov.pk/depts/pco/statistics/pop_education/pop_education_rural_urban.html |archive-date=20 July 2009 }}</ref> The labour force of Islamabad is 185,213<ref>{{cite web|title=LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION RATES |author=Population Census Organization, Govt. of Pakistan |url=http://www.statpak.gov.pk/depts/pco/statistics/other_tables/labour_force.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100827002727/http://www.statpak.gov.pk/depts/pco/statistics/other_tables/labour_force.pdf |archive-date=27 August 2010 }}</ref> and the unemployment rate is 15.70%.<ref>{{cite web|title=UN-EMPLOYMENT RATES |author=Population Census Organization, Govt. of Pakistan |url=http://www.statpak.gov.pk/depts/pco/statistics/other_tables/unemployment_rates.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100827005129/http://www.statpak.gov.pk/depts/pco/statistics/other_tables/unemployment_rates.pdf |archive-date=27 August 2010 }}</ref>

===Religion===
[[File:'Pakistan'-Bari Imam Tomb-Islamabad-@ibnezhar Sep 2016 (2).jpg|thumb|The shrine of Bari Imam in Islamabad]]
{{bar box
|title=Religion in Islamabad (2017)
|titlebar=#ddd
|float=right
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Religion:Islam|Islam]]|green|95.43}}
{{bar percent|[[Religion:Christianity|Christianity]]|blue|4.34}}
{{bar percent|[[Religion:Hinduism|Hinduism]]|orange|0.04}}
{{bar percent|Others|grey|0.19}}
}}

[[Religion:Islam|Islam]] is the largest religion in the city, with 95.43% of the population following it. [[Religion:Christianity|Christianity]] is the second largest religion is with 4.34% of the population following it. The Christians are concentrated mainly in the urban areas. [[Religion:Hinduism|Hinduism]] is followed by 0.04% of the population according to the 2017 census.<ref>{{cite web|title=POPULATION BY RELIGION |author=Population Census Organization, Govt. of Pakistan |url=http://www.statpak.gov.pk/depts/pco/statistics/other_tables/pop_by_religion.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060617205811/http://www.statpak.gov.pk/depts/pco/statistics/other_tables/pop_by_religion.pdf |archive-date=17 June 2006 }}</ref><ref name="dawn.com">{{Cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1566408/pml-q-opposes-hindu-temple-in-islamabad|newspaper=Dawn|title=PML-Q opposes Hindu temple in Islamabad|date=2 July 2020|access-date=1 November 2020|archive-date=3 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003144153/https://www.dawn.com/news/1566408/pml-q-opposes-hindu-temple-in-islamabad|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=SALIENT FEATURES OF FINAL RESULTS CENSUS-2017|url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files//population_census/sailent_feature_%20census_2017.pdf|access-date=20 May 2021|archive-date=29 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210829194924/https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files//population_census/sailent_feature_%20census_2017.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Economy==
{{multiple image
| align             = right
| image1            = Ise building2.png
| width1            = 161
| caption1          = Islamabad Stock Exchange
| alt1              = 
| width2            = 145
| caption2          = Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited
| image2            = ZTBL Headquarters.jpg
| alt2              = 
}}

Islamabad is a net contributor to the Pakistani economy, as whilst having only 0.8% of the country's population, it contributes 1% to the country's GDP.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/19-economics-and-extremism-hh-04 |title=Pakistan &#124; Economics and extremism |work=Dawn |date=5 January 2010 |access-date=2 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100108132730/http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/19-economics-and-extremism-hh-04 |archive-date= 8 January 2010 }}</ref> Islamabad Stock Exchange, founded in 1989, is Pakistan's third largest stock exchange after Karachi Stock Exchange and Lahore Stock Exchange, and was merged to form Pakistan Stock Exchange. The exchange had 118 members with 104 corporate bodies and 18 individual members. The average daily turnover of the stock exchange is over 1 million shares.<ref>{{cite web|title=About ISE|author=ISE-Official website|url=http://www.ise.com.pk/About_ISE/AboutISE.asp|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617005524/http://www.ise.com.pk/About_ISE/AboutISE.asp|archive-date=17 June 2011}}</ref>

According to the [[Organization:World Bank|World Bank]]'s ''Doing Business Report'' of 2010, Islamabad was ranked as the best place to start a business in Pakistan.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/24632/faisalabad-best-place-to-do-business-in-pakistan|title=Faisalabad best place to do business in Pakistan|work=The Express Tribune|date=30 June 2010|access-date=25 December 2017|archive-date=26 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171226235609/https://tribune.com.pk/story/24632/faisalabad-best-place-to-do-business-in-pakistan/|url-status=live}}</ref> Islamabad's businesses are Pakistan's most compliant for paying tax dues.<ref>{{cite web|title=Doing Business in Islamabad|url=http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/pakistan/sub/islamabad|website=Doing Business|publisher=Doing Business (World Bank)|access-date=25 December 2017|date=2010|archive-date=25 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171225203050/http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/pakistan/sub/islamabad|url-status=live}}</ref> {{As of|2012}}, Islamabad LTU (Large Tax Unit) was responsible for Rs 371 billion in tax revenue, which amounts to 20% of all the revenue collected by Federal Board of Revenue.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brecorder.com/top-news/108-pakistan-top-news/65751-rs371bn-revenue-target-fbr-hails-ltu-islamabads-performance-.html4|title=Rs 371bn revenue target: FBR hails LTU Islamabad's performance|work=Business Recorder|date=5 July 2012|access-date=9 July 2012}}</ref>

Islamabad has seen an expansion in information and communications technology with the addition two [[Organization:Science park|Software Technology Parks]], which house numerous national and foreign technological and information technology companies. Some jobs have relocated from India to Islamabad.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Mishra|first1=Siddhartha|title=Noida to Islamabad|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/noida-to-islamabad/299532|access-date=25 December 2017|agency=Outlook India|date=27 November 2017|archive-date=24 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171224201849/https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/noida-to-islamabad/299532|url-status=live}}</ref> Awami Markaz IT Park houses 36 [[Engineering:Information technology|IT]] companies, while Evacuee Trust house 29 companies.<ref>{{cite web|title=Islamabad |author=Pakistan Software Export Board |url=http://www.pseb.org.pk/item/stp_islamabad |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100505124938/http://www.pseb.org.pk/item/stp_islamabad |archive-date=5 May 2010 }}</ref> Islamabad will see its third IT Park by 2020, which will be built with assistance from {{wipe|South Korea}}.<ref>{{cite news|title=Islamabad to get IT Park by 2020|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1453594/islamabad-get-park-2020/|access-date=25 December 2017|agency=Express Tribune|date=9 July 2017|archive-date=26 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171226033421/https://tribune.com.pk/story/1453594/islamabad-get-park-2020/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Culture==
Islamabad is home to many migrants from other regions of Pakistan and has a cultural and religious diversity of considerable antiquity. Due to its location on the Pothohar Plateau, remnants of ancient cultures and civilisations such as [[Unsolved:Aryan|Aryan]], Soanian, and Indus Valley civilisation can still be found in the region. A 15th-century Gakhar fort, Pharwala Fort is located near Islamabad.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pharwala Fort|author=WikiMapia|url=http://wikimapia.org/9852921/Pharwala-Fort-or-Babar-Fort-Omer-Afzal-Aliot|access-date=30 August 2009|archive-date=16 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110916161659/http://wikimapia.org/9852921/Pharwala-Fort-or-Babar-Fort-Omer-Afzal-Aliot|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="forts">{{cite web|title=Forts of Pakistan|author=Ministry of Tourism, Government of Pakistan|url=http://www.pakistantourism.gov.pk/FortsofPakistan.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090927150906/http://www.pakistantourism.gov.pk/FortsofPakistan.aspx|archive-date=27 September 2009}}</ref> Rawat Fort in the region was built by the Gakhars in 16th century and contains the grave of the Gakhar chief, Sultan Sarang Khan.<ref name="forts"/>

Saidpur village is supposedly named after Said Khan, the son of Sarang Khan. The 500-year-old village was converted into a place of Hindu worship by a Mughal commander, Raja Man Singh. He constructed a number of small ponds: Rama kunda, Sita kunda, Lakshaman kunda, and Hanuman kunda.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sidpur Village|work=The Daily Times|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008%5C10%5C28%5Cstory_28-10-2008_pg11_11|access-date=30 August 2009|archive-date=23 July 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120723151238/www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008%5C10%5C28%5Cstory_28-10-2008_pg11_11|url-status=live}}</ref> The region is home to a small Hindu temple that is preserved, showing the presence of Hindu people in the region. The shrine of Sufi mystic Pir Meher Ali Shah is located at Golra Sharif, which has a rich cultural heritage of the pre-Islamic period. Archaeological remains of the Buddhist era can also still be found in the region.<ref>{{cite web|title=Golra Sharif|url=http://www.thelightofgolrasharif.com/Website/TheLightofGolraSharif/hazrat/golra_sharif_introduction.htm|access-date=30 August 2009|archive-date=11 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090811184157/http://www.thelightofgolrasharif.com/Website/TheLightofGolraSharif/hazrat/golra_sharif_introduction.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The shrine of [[Biography:Bari Imam|Bari Imam]] was built by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. Thousands of devotees from across Pakistan attend the annual [[Religion:Urs|Urs]] of Bari Imam. The event is one of the largest religious gatherings in Islamabad. In 2004, the Urs was attended by more than 1.2&nbsp;million people.<ref>{{cite news|title=Spotlight Bari Imam|author=Huma Khawar|work=Dawn News|url=http://www.dawn.com/weekly/dmag/archive/050529/dmag9.htm|access-date=30 August 2009|archive-date=5 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205064721/http://www.dawn.com/weekly/dmag/archive/050529/dmag9.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Lok Virsa Museum in Islamabad preserves a wide variety of expressions of folk and traditional cultural legacy of Pakistan. It is located near the Shakarparian hills and boasts a large display of embroidered costumes, jewellery, musical instruments, woodwork, utensils and folkloristic objects from the region and other parts of Pakistan.<ref>{{cite web|title=RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD CITIES TOUR|author=Viamigo|url=http://www.viamigo.com/tour/1803/Lahor-Islamabad-Rawalpindi|access-date=30 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717194939/http://www.viamigo.com/tour/1803/Lahor-Islamabad-Rawalpindi|archive-date=17 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Tourism==
[[File:Faisal Maseet.JPG|thumb|Faisal Mosque]] 
Faisal Mosque is an important cultural landmark of the city and that attracts many tourists daily. Faisal Mosque built in 1986, was named after the Saudi Arabian King, Faisal bin Abdul Aziz.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.urdumania.com/world-in-urdu/shah-faisal-mosque-the-biggest-mosque-in-pakistan.php |title=Shah Faisal Mosque: The Biggest Mosque in Pakistan &#124; Urdu Pakistan |access-date=8 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100928042301/http://www.urdumania.com/world-in-urdu/shah-faisal-mosque-the-biggest-mosque-in-pakistan.php |archive-date=28 September 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It also serves the purpose of accommodating 24,000 Muslims that pray at this mosque. Faisal Mosque that is designed by the Turks and financed by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia includes calligraphy of Quranic verses along the walls of the mosque.

One of the landmarks for tourists is the Pakistan Monument built in 2007 located in Islamabad. This tourist attraction represents the patriotism and sovereignty of Pakistan. The design is shaped as a dome with petal-shaped walls that are engraved with arts portraying Pakistan's other tourist landmarks such as the Badshahi Mosque, Minar-e-Pakistan and Lahore Fort.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.travelersguide360.com/index.php/lets-visit-pakistan-national-monument-and-museum-in-islamabad-pakistan-4164/ |title=Let's Visit Pakistan National Monument and Museum in Islamabad Pakistan by Gulrukh Tausif &#124; Traveler's Guide 360 |access-date=3 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407072049/http://www.travelersguide360.com/index.php/lets-visit-pakistan-national-monument-and-museum-in-islamabad-pakistan-4164/ |archive-date=7 April 2014 }}</ref>
[[File:Flag of Pakistan on National Monument.JPG|thumb|The Pakistan Monument]]

Islamabad holds some of Pakistan's most prestigious museums such as Lok Virsa Museum, Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage Shakarparian Park and prominent galleries such as the National Art Gallery and Gallery 6.

The Islamabad Museum contains many relics and artifacts dating back to the [[Biology:Gandhara|Gandhara]] period of the region, an intriguing fusion of Buddhist and Graeco-Roman styles. 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.

[[File:F-9 Fatima Jinnah Park Islamabad.jpg|thumb|F-9 Fatima Jinnah Park]]
Islamabad is built upon civilization and architecture that ranges from the 10th Century to the modern era. As Islamabad is situated on the Potohar Plateau, the remains of civilization descending from stone-age era include the Acheulian and the Soanian traditions and these are tourist landmarks. Islamabad has an array of historic landmarks that reflect the Hindu civilization that dates back to the 16th Century with examples such as Saidpur. Saidpur that is situated in Islamabad has progressed from a village to a sacred place that includes temples where the Hindu Mughal Commanders worshipped.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.islamabadthecapital.com/culture-of-islamabad/ |access-date=8 March 2020 |title=Archived copy |archive-date=28 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228205435/http://www.islamabadthecapital.com/culture-of-islamabad |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Margalla Hills National Park is located in the North sector of Islamabad and is in close proximity to the Himalayas. The National Park includes of picturesque valleys and scenic hills that include various wildlife such as Himalayan goral, Barking deer and leopards. Flanked by wildlife and vegetation, Margalla Hills National Park also includes accommodation and camping grounds for tourists.

==Education==
[[File:Quaid-i-Azam University Entrance.JPG|thumb|right|Quaid-i-Azam University]]Islamabad boasts the highest literacy rate in Pakistan at 98%,<ref name=PBS /> and has some of the most advanced educational institutes in the country.<ref name="L. Roberts">{{cite book|title=Planning Urban Education: New Techniques to Transform Learning in the City|year=1972|publisher=Educational Technology Publications|isbn=978-0877780243|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W8Yt8a6qhQEC&pg=PA111|author=Charles S. Benson|editor=Dennis L. Roberts|access-date=3 July 2012|page=111|chapter=New Cities and Educational Planning}}</ref> A large number of public and private sector educational institutes are present here. The higher education institutes in the capital are either federally chartered or administered by private organizations and almost all of them are recognised by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan. High schools and colleges are either affiliated with the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education or with the UK universities education boards, O/A Levels, or IGCSE. According to the Academy of Educational Planning and Management's report, in 2009 there were a total of 913 recognized institutions in Islamabad (31 pre-primary, 2 religious, 367 primary, 162 [[Social:Middle school|middle]], 250 high, 75 higher secondary and intermediate colleges, and 26 degree colleges).<ref name="aepam.edu.pk">{{cite web|title=Pakistan Education Statistics 2008–09|author=AEPAM|url=http://aepam.edu.pk/Files/EducationStatistics/PakistanEducationStatistics2008-09.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117012557/http://aepam.edu.pk/Files/EducationStatistics/PakistanEducationStatistics2008-09.pdf|archive-date=17 January 2013}}</ref> There are seven teacher training institutes in Islamabad with a total enrolment of 604,633 students and 499 faculty.<ref name="aepam.edu.pk"/>
[[File:NUST MainOffice.png|left|thumb|National University of Sciences and Technology]]
The [[Gender Parity Index]] in Islamabad is 0.93 compared to the 0.95 national average. There are 178 boys-only institutes, 175 girls-only, and 551 mixed institutes in Islamabad.<ref name="aepam.edu.pk"/> Total enrolment of students in all categories is 267,992; 138,272 for boys and 129,720 for girls.<ref name="aepam.edu.pk"/> There are 16 recognized universities in Islamabad with a total enrolment of 372,974 students and 30,144 teachers.<ref name="aepam.edu.pk"/> Most of the top ranked universities; National University of Sciences and Technology, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology and Pakistan Institute of Engineering & Applied Sciences, also have their headquarters in the capital.<ref name="HEC Rankings"/> The world's second largest general university by enrolment, Allama Iqbal Open University is located in Islamabad for distance education. Other universities include Air University, Bahria University, Center for Advanced Studies in Engineering, Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology, Hamdard University, National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences, Capital University of Science & Technology, National Defence University, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, National University of Modern Languages, Iqra University, International Islamic University, [[Organization:Virtual University of Pakistan|Virtual University of Pakistan]], Muhammad Ali Jinnah University, The University of Lahore, Abasyn University, and The Millennium University College.

===Universities and colleges===
{{Bulleted list
|title=Universities and colleges in Islamabad Capital Territory 
|bullets=on
|NUST
|Center for Advanced Studies in Engineering
|COMSATS University Islamabad
|Foundation University
|[[Organization:Institute of Space Technology|Institute of Space Technology]]
|International Islamic University
|Mohammad Ali Jinnah University
|National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences
|Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences
|Quaid-i-Azam University
|Bahria University
|Air University
|SZABIST
|University College of Islamabad
|Abasyn university
|Roots Ivy College
}}

==Healthcare==
[[File:Pims2.jpg|thumb|right|Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences]]
Islamabad has the lowest rate of infant mortality in the country at 38 deaths per thousand compared to the national average of 78 deaths per thousand.<ref>{{cite web|title=Punjab tops in infant mortality, poverty, income inequality|author=TheNews website|url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=145337&Cat=5&dt=11/9/2008|access-date=27 December 2021|archive-date=6 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106042939/http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=145337&Cat=5&dt=11%2F9%2F2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> Islamabad has both public and private medical centres. The largest hospital in Islamabad is Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) hospital. It was established in 1985 as a teaching and doctor training institute. PIMS functions as a National Reference Center and provides specialised diagnostic and curative services.<ref>{{cite web|title=About PIMS|author=PIMS-Official website|url=http://www.pims.gov.pk/aboutPIMS.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051227130640/http://www.pims.gov.pk/aboutPIMS.htm|archive-date=27 December 2005}}</ref> The hospital has 30 major medical departments.<ref>{{cite web|title=Departments at PIMS|author=PIMS-Official website|url=http://www.pims.gov.pk/departments.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228005138/http://www.pims.gov.pk/departments.htm|archive-date=28 February 2014}}</ref> PIMS is divided into five administrative branches. Islamabad Hospital is the major component with a 592-bed facility and 22 medical and surgical specialties.<ref>{{cite web|title=Islamabad Hospital|author=PIMS-Official website|url=http://www.pims.gov.pk/isbHospital.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051227131252/http://www.pims.gov.pk/isbHospital.htm|archive-date=27 December 2005}}</ref>

The Children's Hospital is a 230-bed hospital completed in 1985. It contains six major facilities: Surgical and Allied Specialties, Medical and Allied Specialties, Diagnostic Facilities, Operation Theatre, Critical Care (NICU, PICU, Isolation & Accident Emergency), and a Blood Bank.<ref>{{cite web|title=Children Hospital|author=PIMS-Official website|url=http://www.pims.gov.pk/childrenHospital.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090915204759/http://www.pims.gov.pk/childrenHospital.htm|archive-date=15 September 2009}}</ref> The Maternal and Child Health Care Center is a training institute with an attached hospital of 125 beds offering different clinical and operational services.<ref>{{cite web|title=Maternal & Child Health Care Center|author=PIMS-Official website|url=http://www.pims.gov.pk/MCH.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051101231029/http://www.pims.gov.pk/MCH.htm|archive-date=1 November 2005}}</ref> PIMS consists of five academic institutes: Quaid-e-Azam Postgraduate Medical College, College of Nursing, College of Medical Technology, School of Nursing, and Mother and Child Health Center.<ref>{{cite web|title=Quaid-i-Azam Postgraduate Medical College|author=PIMS-Official website|url=http://www.pims.gov.pk/QPGMC.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050715083956/http://www.pims.gov.pk/QPGMC.htm|archive-date=15 July 2005}}</ref>

PAEC General Hospital and teaching institute, established in 2006, is affiliated with the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission.<ref name="paec">{{cite web|title=About PAEC Hospital|author=PAEC General Hospital-Official website|url=http://www.paec.gov.pk/paec_hospital/about.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106062241/http://www.paec.gov.pk/paec_hospital/about.htm|archive-date=6 January 2009}}</ref> The hospital consists of a 100-bed facility<ref name="paec"/> and 10 major departments: [[Medicine:Obstetrics|Obstetrics]] and Gynecology, Pediatric, General Medicine, General Surgery, Intensive Care Unit/Coronary Care Unit, Orthopedics, [[Medicine:Ophthalmology|Ophthalmology]], [[Biology:Pathology|Pathology]], [[Medicine:Radiology|Radiology]], and [[Medicine:Dentistry|Dental]] Department.<ref>{{cite web|title=Functions of Major Departments|author=PAEC General Hospital-Official website|url=http://www.paec.gov.pk/paec_hospital/functions.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106050652/http://www.paec.gov.pk/paec_hospital/functions.htm|archive-date=6 January 2009}}</ref> Shifa International Hospital is a teaching hospital in Islamabad that was founded in 1987 and became a public company in 1989. The hospital has 70 qualified consultants in almost all specialties, 150 IPD beds and OPD facilities in 35 different specialisations.<ref>{{cite web|title=SHIFA History|author=SHIFA International Hospital-Official website|url=http://www.shifa.com.pk/shifa/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090423191047/http://www.shifa.com.pk/shifa/|archive-date=23 April 2009}}</ref> According to the Federal Bureau of Statistics of the Government of Pakistan, in 2008 there were 12 hospitals, 76 dispensaries, and five maternity and child welfare centers in the city with a total of 5,158 beds.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hospitals/Dispensaries and Beds by Province|author=Federal Bureau of Statistics|url=http://www.statpak.gov.pk/depts/fbs/statistics/social_statistics/health1.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101113153523/http://www.statpak.gov.pk/depts/fbs/statistics/social_statistics/health1.pdf|archive-date=13 November 2010}}</ref>

==Transport==
[[File:9th Avenue Islamabad.jpg|thumb|9th Avenue, Islamabad]]
[[File:7th Avenue Islamabadd.jpg|thumb|7th Avenue, Islamabad]]
[[File:Islamabad Highway From the 9th avenue bridge.jpg|thumb|Srinagar Highway, Islamabad]]

===Aerial transport===
Islamabad is connected to major destinations around the world and domestically through Islamabad International Airport (IIAP).<ref name=":0">{{cite web|last=Islamabad Airport|title=Islamabad Airport|url=https://islamabadairport.com.pk/About/About-Introduction.aspx|website=Islamabad Airport|access-date=17 July 2021|archive-date=17 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717040532/https://islamabadairport.com.pk/About/About-Introduction.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> The airport is the largest in Pakistan and is located south-west of Islamabad. The new airport inaugurated on 20 April 2018, spread over 19 square kilometers with 15 passenger boarding bridges, including facilities to accommodate two double-decker Airbus A380s, the world's largest airplane, 15 remote bays and 3 remote bays for Air cargo.<ref name=":0" />

===Public transport===
[[File:The Red Metro Bus in Blue Area.jpg|thumb|Islamabad Metro Bus]]
The Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metrobus is a {{convert|83.6|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} [[Engineering:Bus rapid transit|bus rapid transit]] system operating in the Islamabad-Rawalpindi metropolitan area. The Metrobus network's first phase was opened on 4 June 2015, and stretches 22.5 kilometres between Pak Secretariat, in Islamabad, and Saddar in [[Place:Rawalpindi|Rawalpindi]]. The second stage stretches 25.6 kilometres between the Peshawar Morr Interchange and New Islamabad International Airport and was inaugurated on 18 April 2022.<ref name="Orange line trial run">{{Cite news|url=https://www.incpak.com/national/islamabad-starts-trial-of-orange-line-metro-bus-service/|title=Islamabad Starts Trial of Orange Line Metro Bus Service|date=2022-04-16|work=INCPAK|access-date=2022-04-18|language=en-US|archive-date=28 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628161913/https://www.incpak.com/national/islamabad-starts-trial-of-orange-line-metro-bus-service/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="PM Shehbaz Sharif inaugurates metrobus service">{{Cite news|url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/412136-pm-shehbaz-sharif-inaugurates-metrobus-service-from-peshawar-mor-to-islamabad|title=PM Shehbaz Sharif confident his 'speedy work' will frighten ex-premier Imran Khan|date=2022-04-18|work=GEO News|access-date=2022-04-18|language=en-US|archive-date=18 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418212155/https://www.geo.tv/latest/412136-pm-shehbaz-sharif-inaugurates-metrobus-service-from-peshawar-mor-to-islamabad|url-status=live}}</ref> On 7 July 2022, the Green Line and Blue Lines were added to this Metrobus network.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 July 2022 |title=PM Shahbaz inaugurates Green Line, Blue Line metro bus services |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/972204-pm-shahbaz-inaugurates-green-blue-lines-of-metro-bus-service-in-islamabad |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=The News International |language=en |archive-date=14 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814025512/https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/972204-pm-shahbaz-inaugurates-green-blue-lines-of-metro-bus-service-in-islamabad |url-status=live }}</ref> The system uses e-ticketing and an Intelligent Transportation System and is managed by the Punjab Mass Transit Authority. This service is very reliable and consistent, and the labour force as well as students are using this government provided service on a daily basis. It has reduced the time consumption by reducing the route. Now this bus service is being extended to more areas in Islamabad that include areas near G-13 and H-12. Work is being done to keep it along the Kashmir Highway.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Bus|first1=Metro|title=MetroBus Islamabad|url=http://www.pma.punjab.gov.pk/|website=Punjab Masstransit Authority|access-date=13 August 2017|archive-date=10 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610091606/http://pma.punjab.gov.pk/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Railway===
Islamabad railway station is located in sector I-9 in Islamabad, Capital Territory, {{wipe|Pakistan}}. The station appears as Margala on the Pakistan Railways website.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pakistan Railways |url=https://www.pakrail.gov.pk/ |access-date=5 October 2022 |website=Pakistan Railways |archive-date=1 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201190757/https://www.pakrail.gov.pk/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Private transport===
People use private transport like Taxis, [[Company:Careem|Careem]], [[Company:Uber|Uber]], [[Company:Bykea|Bykea]], and SWVL for local journeys. In March 2016, Careem became functional in Islamabad and [[Place:Rawalpindi|Rawalpindi]] with taxi services.

=== Roadways ===
[[File:M-2 Motorway Pakistan.jpg|thumb|M-2 Motorway Pakistan]]
M-2 Motorway is {{convert|367|km|0|abbr=on}} long and connect Islamabad and Lahore.<ref name="NHA">{{cite web|title=Motorway's of Pakistan|author=National Highway Authority Pakistan|url=http://www.nha.gov.pk/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=5&Itemid=45|access-date=17 September 2009|archive-date=6 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006233451/https://www.nha.gov.pk/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=5&Itemid=45|url-status=dead}}</ref> M-1 Motorway connects Islamabad with Peshawar and is {{convert|155|km|0|abbr=on}} long.<ref name="NHA"/> Islamabad is linked to Rawalpindi through the Faizabad Interchange, which has a daily traffic volume of about 48,000 vehicles.<ref>{{cite web|title=Faizabad Interchange|author=NESPAK|url=http://www.nespak.com.pk/services/viewPic.asp?sector=3&id=13|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810092226/http://www.nespak.com.pk/services/viewPic.asp?sector=3&id=13|archive-date=10 August 2011}}</ref>

==Sports==
[[File:Islamabad golf Club.jpg|thumb|Islamabad Golf Club]]
[[File:Jinnah Sports Stadium.JPG|thumb|Jinnah Sports Stadium]]
Islamabad has a multipurpose sports complex opposite Aabpara. It includes Liaquat Gymnasium for indoor games, Mushaf Squash Complex and Jinnah Sports Stadium for outdoor games, which is a venue for regular national and international events. 2004 SAF Games were held in the stadium. Some other sports venues of Islamabad include Diamond Club Ground, Shalimar Cricket Ground and Islamabad Golf Club.

There is another multipurpose sports complex in the F6 Markaz. It has tennis courts, a basketball court with fibre-glass boards and a Futsal ground which introduced artificial turf to the people of Islamabad.

Major sports in the city include cricket, football, squash, hockey, table tennis, rugby and boxing.<ref name="Hanif Raza">{{cite book|title=Islamabad and environs|year=1985|publisher=Colorpix|asin=B0006ENJ0I|page=83|author=M. Hanif Raza}}</ref> The city is home to Islamabad United, which won the first ever Pakistan Super League in 2016 and second title in 2018,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://arynews.tv/en/ary-digital-neer-winning-psl/|title=ARY Digital Network President Salman Iqbal congratulates Islamabad United over winning PSL|work=arynews.tv|date=24 February 2016|access-date=24 February 2016|archive-date=25 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160225092427/http://arynews.tv/en/ary-digital-neer-winning-psl/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=CIrep>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/report/1128851|title=Ronchi, Shadab seal Islamabad's second PSL title|website=ESPNcricinfo|language=en|access-date=2019-03-25|archive-date=27 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327092249/http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8679/report/1128851|url-status=live}}</ref> and Islamabad All Stars, which participates in the Super Kabaddi League.

Islamabad also has various rock climbing spots in the Margalla Hills.<ref name="John Arran">{{cite web|last=Arran|first=John|title=A Guide to Climbing in Margalla|url=http://www.pakistanalpine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Monkey-Business-A-Guide-to-Climb-Margalla-2012-Edition.pdf|work=Rock Climbing Islamabad|publisher=Pakistan Alpine Institute|access-date=12 October 2013|year=2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022121139/http://www.pakistanalpine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Monkey-Business-A-Guide-to-Climb-Margalla-2012-Edition.pdf|archive-date=22 October 2013}}</ref>

The Pakistan Sports Complex has three swimming pools for children. These facilities attract a large gathering on weekends.<ref>Sports facilities at Pakistan Sports Complex http://www.sports.gov.pk/SportsFacilities/sportsfacilities.htm#cycling {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508062306/http://www.sports.gov.pk/SportsFacilities/sportsfacilities.htm#cycling |date=8 May 2016 }}</ref>

In Pakistan Super League, the capital is represented by Islamabad United team that is owned by Leonine Global Investments through its sports entity Leonine Global Sports, owned by Amna Naqvi and Ali Naqvi.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shafique |first=Adnan |title=Islamabad United |url=https://www.islamabadunited.com/about-us/ |access-date=2023-02-24 |language=en-US |archive-date=24 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224040254/https://www.islamabadunited.com/about-us/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Recreation ==

=== Faisal Mosque ===
Located in Islamabad, Pakistan, the Faisal Mosque is the largest mosque in South Asia and the fourth largest mosque in the world. Built in the year 1986, it was named after the late king of Saudi Arabia, Faisal Bin Abdul Aziz, who backed and financed the construction.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehistoryhub.com/faisal-mosque-facts-pictures.htm|title=Faisal Mosque Historical Facts and Pictures {{!}} The History Hub|website=www.thehistoryhub.com|language=en-US|access-date=11 July 2018|archive-date=22 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181022180812/https://www.thehistoryhub.com/faisal-mosque-facts-pictures.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Islamabad - Faisal Mosque.jpg|thumb|Faisal Mosque]]

=== Trail 3 ===
[[File:Trail 3 Margalla Hills Islamabad.jpg|thumb|Trail 3 Islamabad]]
The most famous and oldest hiking track of Islamabad is Trail 3. It starts from the Margalla Road in sector F-6/3. Due to steep hills, the trail is exhausting to some extent. The course leads to the point where it goes up to the Viewpoint and is about a 30 – 50 minutes track. After the Viewpoint it continues for another easy-going 45 – 60 minutes and reaches the Pir Sohawa, where there are two restaurants for food, ''The Monal'' and ''La Montana''. In total, it is approximately a one-hour and thirty minute walk.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cda.gov.pk/about_islamabad/trails/default.asp|title=Hiking Trail 3|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711120951/http://www.cda.gov.pk/about_islamabad/trails/default.asp|archive-date=11 July 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Pakistan Monument ===
[[File:Pakistan Monument Islamabadd.jpg|thumb|Pakistan Monument Islamabad]]
Located in Islamabad, the Pakistan National Monument is a representation of the four provinces and three territories of the nation. Designed by the famous architect, Arif Masood, this blooming flower-shaped structure reflects the progress and prosperity of Pakistan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehistoryhub.com/pakistan-national-monument-facts-pictures.htm|title=Pakistan National Monument Historical Facts and Pictures {{!}} The History Hub|website=www.thehistoryhub.com|language=en-US|access-date=11 July 2018|archive-date=30 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171030183823/http://www.thehistoryhub.com/pakistan-national-monument-facts-pictures.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Shah Allah Ditta Caves ===
Shah Allah Ditta village is a centuries-old village and a Union Council of Islamabad Capital Authority. The village is named after a [[Religion:Dervish|dervish]] that belonged to the Mughal era. It is estimated to be 650 years old approximately. It is also home to ancient caves that reflects the previous civilizations. The 2500-year-old Buddhist caves at the foot of Margalla Hills are located in west of Taxila, east of Islamabad and in the central area of Khanpur. A spring, a pond and a garden still exist near the Shah Allah Ditta Caves. There are some banyan trees in the garden, while all other fruit trees are gone. The water from the same spring was used to irrigate the garden adjoining the caves. During the Mughal period, when India was the centre of Sufism originating from Arabia and Central Asia, a saint named Shah Allah Ditta stayed in this garden and was entombed here. The place formerly attributed to sadhus, monks, or jogis is today known for the famous Sufi Shah Allah Ditta. A short distance from these caves is also an ancient baoli (stepwell) in the village of Kanthila, which is said to have been built by Sher Shah Suri.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-09 |title=Shah Allah Ditta caves – relic of ancient Buddhism |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2360839/shah-allah-ditta-caves-relic-of-ancient-buddhism |access-date=2023-02-24 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en |archive-date=5 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705020116/https://tribune.com.pk/story/2360839/shah-allah-ditta-caves-relic-of-ancient-buddhism |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Twin towns and sister cities==
{{colbegin|colwidth=25em}}
* {{flagicon|UAE}} [[Place:Abu Dhabi|Abu Dhabi]], United Arab Emirates<ref name="Minsk">{{cite web|url=http://minsk.gov.by/cgi-bin/org_ps.pl?k_org=3604&mode=doc&doc=3604_2_a&lang=eng|title=''Twin towns of Minsk''|publisher=[[Copyright|©]] 2008 The department of protocol and international relations of Minsk City Executive Committee|access-date=8 December 2008|archive-date=30 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090830121424/http://minsk.gov.by/cgi-bin/org_ps.pl?k_org=3604&mode=doc&doc=3604_2_a&lang=eng|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Jordan}} [[Place:Amman|Amman]], Jordan<ref>{{cite web|title=Twin city agreements |author=Greater Amman Municipality-Official website |url=http://www.ammancity.gov.jo/english/accessing/a1.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214220519/https://www.ammancity.gov.jo/english/accessing/a1.asp |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 December 2020 }}</ref><ref name="tribune16">{{cite web|date=9 December 2016|title=The making of a slum city|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1258738/making-slum-city|access-date=31 July 2020|website=The Express Tribune|language=en|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108161654/https://tribune.com.pk/story/1258738/making-slum-city|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="dawn16">{{Cite news|date=5 January 2016|title=Islamabad to get new sister city|work=Dawn|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1230842|access-date=31 July 2020|archive-date=18 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318182531/https://www.dawn.com/news/1230842|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|TUR}} [[Place:Ankara|Ankara]], Turkey<ref>{{cite web|title=Sister Cities of Ankara|author=Greater Municipality of Ankara|url=http://www.ankara.bel.tr/AbbSayfalariEn/hizmet_birimleri/dis_dairesi_baskanligi/kardes_sehirler.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100705145123/http://www.ankara.bel.tr/AbbSayfalariEn/hizmet_birimleri/dis_dairesi_baskanligi/kardes_sehirler.aspx|archive-date=5 July 2010}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|CHN}} [[Place:Beijing|Beijing]], China<ref>{{cite web|title=Sister cities|author=Beijing International-Official website|url=http://www.ebeijing.gov.cn/Sister_Cities/Sister_City/Asia_1/sis_Islamabad/|access-date=16 May 2015|archive-date=26 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100526165739/http://www.ebeijing.gov.cn/Sister_Cities/Sister_City/Asia_1/sis_Islamabad/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Indonesia}} [[Place:Jakarta|Jakarta]], Indonesia 1984, restarted in 2010<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010%5C01%5C23%5Cstory_23-1-2010_pg11_2|title=Daily Times|website=Daily Times|access-date=14 August 2018|archive-date=29 July 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729005443/www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010%5C01%5C23%5Cstory_23-1-2010_pg11_2|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=BeritaSatu.com|title=KONI DKI Jalin Kerja Sama "Sister City" dengan 21 Kota Dunia|url=https://www.beritasatu.com/megapolitan/192958-koni-dki-jalin-kerja-sama-sister-city-dengan-21-kota-dunia|access-date=31 July 2020|website=beritasatu.com|language=id}}</ref>
*{{Flagicon|Spain}} [[Place:Madrid|Madrid]], Spain<ref name="tribune16" /><ref name="dawn16" />
* {{flagicon|Belarus}} [[Place:Minsk|Minsk]], Belarus<ref name="dawn-sister">{{cite news|title=Islamabad to get new sister city|date=5 January 2016|newspaper=Dawn|editor-last=Abbas|editor-first=Zaffar|publisher=Pakistan Herald Publications|location=Karachi, Pakistan}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=5 January 2016|title=Islamabad declared sister city of Minsk|url=https://nation.com.pk/05-Jan-2016/islamabad-declared-sister-city-of-minsk|access-date=31 July 2020|website=The Nation|language=en|archive-date=30 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130033023/https://nation.com.pk/05-Jan-2016/islamabad-declared-sister-city-of-minsk|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|KOR}} [[Place:Seoul|Seoul]], South Korea<ref name="tribune16" /><ref name="dawn16" /><ref>{{cite web|author=Fazal Sher – Daily Times|title=Islamabad, Seoul to be made sister cities|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008%5C11%5C08%5Cstory_8-11-2008_pg11_2|access-date=16 May 2015|archive-date=29 July 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729145801/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008%5C11%5C08%5Cstory_8-11-2008_pg11_2|url-status=live}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Kazakhstan}} [[Place:Astana|Astana]], Kazakhstan
{{colend}}

==See also==
* Birds of Islamabad
* List of people from Islamabad

==References==
{{notelist}}
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book |last1=Moatasim |first1=Faiza |title=Master Plans and Encroachments: The Architecture of Informality in Islamabad |date=2023 |publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press |isbn=978-1-5128-2519-0 |language=en}}

==External links==
* [http://mci.gov.pk/ Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad]
* {{Curlie|Regional/Asia/Pakistan/Provinces/Islamabad_Capital_Territory}}
* {{OSM relation|358002}}

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[[Category:Capitals in Asia]]
[[Category:Planned capitals]]

{{Sourceattribution|Islamabad}}