Islamabad City Information

Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan and the tenth largest city in the country. The population of the city has increased from 100,000 in 1951 to 1.21 million in 2009. The Rawalpindi/Islamabad Metropolitan Area is the third largest in Pakistan with a population of over 4.5 million inhabitants. Islamabad has attracted people from all over Pakistan, making it the most cosmopolitan city in the country. As the capital city it has hosted a number of important meetings, such as the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation summit.

The name "Islamabad" was chosen to reflect the country's ideology. The planning and construction was largely headed by the Greek urban planner Constantinos A. Doxiadis which divided the urban area into eight main zones: administrative, diplomatic, residential, institutional, industrial, and commercial areas, a greenbelt, and a national park. Islamabad today is the heart of Pakistan, a attractive city which perfectly symbolizes the aspirations of a young and dynamic nation that looks forward to a glorious future for its people, a city which accepts new ideas but at the same time recognizes and cherishes its traditional values and its past history.

Islamabad City has a rich history, the confluence of many a civilization and temperate climate, Islamabad is one of the most beautiful cities in the South Asian region. Wide, tree-lined streets adorn the various sectors and zones of the city, making it accessible and spectacular. Administratively, the city is located within the Islamabad Capital Territory, which is federally controlled, even though historically Islamabad has been a part of the Punjab province; more specifically the Potohar Plateau. A carefully planned city by famous town planners Doxiadis Associates, Islamabad is the fastest growing city in terms of population, economy and urban development. As this development continues, the city is shedding its reputation as a city without character, and is fast becoming truly metropolitan.

Islamabad has the highest literacy rate in Pakistan and is home to the some of the top ranked universities in Pakistan, including Quaid-i-Azam University, Pakistan Institute of Engineering & Applied Sciences and the National University of Sciences and Technology. Allama Iqbal Open University in Islamabad is the world's largest university by enrollment.