Became the capital in 1966, replacing Karachi
Planned by Greek architect Doxiadis
Home to Faisal Mosque — one of the world's largest mosques
Near the ancient city of Taxila (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
History Through the Ages
Pre-Capital History
The Islamabad area sits in the Pothohar Plateau, historically significant as the crossroads of ancient trade routes. The nearby ancient city of Taxila lies just 35 km away. The region was sparsely inhabited before the capital was planned.
Decision to Build a New Capital
In 1958, the government of Ayub Khan decided to move the capital from Karachi to a more central and geographically defensible location. A site in the Margalla Hills foothills near Rawalpindi was selected. Greek architect Constantinos Apostolou Doxiadis designed the master plan.
Construction (1960s)
Islamabad was developed through the 1960s in a systematic, sector-based grid. Pakistan's government moved here in 1966. The city was officially inaugurated in 1967.
Modern Islamabad
Today Islamabad is a clean, planned, green city of around 1.2 million people (with Rawalpindi forming a twin city of 2+ million). It is home to the Faisal Mosque — one of the largest mosques in the world — the Parliament House, the Supreme Court, and Pakistan's major diplomatic missions.