|
The
idea for Islamabad emerged after a few years after Pakistan's independance
in 1947. Even though Karachi was Pakistan's capital, it had a few shortcomings
as an administrative centre. Hence master plans for this city were laid out and
a new city was created against the back drops of the breath-taking Margalla Hills.
Islamabad took over as the capital city of Pakistan in 1959.
Travellers entering
Islamabad for the first time are struck by its greenness. More than six million
trees have been planted here since the foundations were laid. The result is that,
from the air, the capital seems to have been thrown down in the midst of virgin
forest. The best viewpoint is from Daman-e-Koh, a terraced garden on the Margalla
hills, from where it is possible to see the whole of Islamabad spread out in front,
dominated by the towering minarets of the new Shah Faisal Mosque.The air, at some
1700 feet above sea-level is fresh and bracing. |
| |
