Islamabad
Planned Capital Of Pakistan, Built From The 1960s To A Master Plan By Constantinos Doxiadis · Islamabad, Islamabad Capital Territory
Islamabad is Pakistan's capital, a planned city built from the 1960s at the foot of the Margalla Hills to replace Karachi, laid out by the Greek planner Constantinos Doxiadis in a grid of self-contained sectors, each with its own market, green belts and schools. It is green, clean and calm by South Asian standards, and very different from the rest of the country, which is both its charm and the usual complaint about it. Its landmarks are modern: the Faisal Mosque against the hills, the Pakistan Monument shaped like a blooming flower, the Lok Virsa heritage museum, and the parliament and government buildings of the Constitution Avenue. The Margalla Hills National Park starts at the end of the streets, and Daman-e-Koh looks down on the whole grid. Rawalpindi, its older, busier twin, is next door with its bazaars. For most visitors Islamabad is the gateway to the north and to Taxila, a comfortable base rather than a destination on its own, which is why it sits in tier 2, not tier 1.
Islamabad, planned capital at the foot of the Margalla Hills, Islamabad, Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan
A city, open at all times. The Faisal Mosque, Pakistan Monument and Lok Virsa keep their own hours; Lok Virsa closes one day a week. Islamabad International Airport has domestic and international flights. The Red Zone around government buildings has restricted access and heavy security.