"A beautiful capital of a beautiful... " a Islamabad Travel Page by WAHEEDASLAM

Pakistan's new capital nestles against the backdrop of the Margalla Hills, the foothills of the Himalaya at the nothern end of the Potwar Plateau about 15 km(10 miles) from Rawalpindi. Technically it is not part of Punjab,but forms its own capital Authority. Modern, spacious and carefully planned, Islamabad is a city of wide, tree-lined streets large houses, elegant public buildings and well organised bazaars. Traffic jams & crowds seldom occur, and narrow lanes and slums are few and far between. Sidewalks are shaded and safe behind rows of flame trees, jacarandas and hibiscus. Roses, jasmine and bouganivillea fill the many parks, and scenic vantage-points show the city to its best advantage.

The decision to build Islamabad was taken in 1958 during the tenure of President Ayub Khan. Karachi, the capital since independence in 1947, and Pakistan's largest city, proved unsatisfactory because of its distance from many parts of the country and its dedilitating climate. Ialamabad, on the other hand, offered a healthy climate, plenty of water and a central position on the Grand Trunk Road, close to Punjab and North-West Frontier Province. That nearby Rawalpindi was the headquatersof the Pakistan Army, was another consideration. Finally the site had historical connection because of its proximity to Taxila, for many centuries the region's principal city. A Greek forn or architects, Doxiadis Associates , drew up a master plan, triangular in shape, based on a agrid system, with its apextowards the Margallah Hills. The planner envisaged Islamabad eventually absorbing Rawalpindi entirely & stretching well to the west of the Grand Trunk Road.

The city was divided in to eight zones: the diplomatic enclave, the commercial district, the educational sector, the industrial area, and so on, each with its own shopping area & park . The entire area was planted with trees in 1960 , which in their maturity now give the capital a park-like atmosphere. Construction began in 1961, & the first residents movd in two years later. Meanwhile, government offices were temporarily moved up to Rawalpindi.
The 1962 Construction of Pakistan confirmed Islamabad as the principal seat of the central government, although it was decided that the central legislature wuold be located in Dacca (now Dhaka), in what was then East Pakistan. It was only after the 1971 war, which resulted in East Pakistan becoming the Independent country of Bangladesh, but Islamabad came fully into its own as the capital of Pakistan. Rawalpindi & Islamabad rapidly growing togrether & are often referred to as 'twin cities' but in reality there are few similarities. Rawalpindi is an old militry cantonment, Islamabad is the new bureaucratic centre.

WHEN TO GO......
At 518 metres( 1,700 ft) aove sea level, Islamabad is at its best from October to March, whed days are crisp & nights are cold. Spring is short but intense, with flowers providing a riot of colour in March. The hotter months are May to June, before Monsoon, but even they are not oppressive. Abnormally hot weather can be cscaped by taking a trip to Muree(plz visit must see activities for more information), a hill resort 2,240 metres (7,350 feet) above sea level, about an hour,s drive away..