About
The Islamabad Capital Territory is a federal administrative area in Pakistan, Asia, and it contains the country's purpose-built capital city. It is a place defined by planning and government, and a visit here offers a different picture of Pakistan from the older cities of the country.
A planned capital
The city was established in 1960, and its layout reflects deliberate urban design rather than gradual growth. For visitors interested in how a modern capital is organised, the territory makes an instructive stop. The wide roads, the arrangement of districts and the clear separation of civic and residential areas are the first things many travellers notice.
What a visit offers
- The seat of government and the federal institutions that run the country, which makes the area of interest to anyone studying Pakistani politics or public administration.
- A planned urban environment, useful for those who want to see how a new capital was laid out in the twentieth century.
- A base from which to explore the wider region around the capital.
Planning your trip
Because the territory is primarily administrative, it suits visitors who appreciate order and purpose in a city more than a dense mix of old quarters. Those who enjoy architecture, civic history or contemporary planning will likely find the most to see here. Travellers seeking a lively old-town atmosphere may prefer to combine a stay in Islamabad with time in other parts of the country.
