Islamabad – the Modern Capital of Pakistan

At the time of independence, Karachi was chosen as the capital of Pakistan. However, after assuming the reins of the government in the late 50s, President Muhammad Ayub Khan decided to develop a new capital for the country, which should portray the natural beauty and and aspirations of the people of Pakistan. A site north of Rawalpindi was chosen to be named as Islamabad and the new capital city of the country. 

 Two of the early days photos of Islamabad when it was in the drawing board stage (above) and the laying down the foundation ceremony of Islamabad by President Ayub Khan at Shakarparian Hills, Islamabad. Later the Shakarparian Hills become a must visiting point by all head of the states and prime ministers from across the world to be briefed about the master plan of Islamabad and also planting a sapling. Now over a period of time, these saplings have grown tall, reminding how much time has passed since the early days of islamabad in the making.

The master plan of this modern city was prepared in 1960 by M/s. Constantinos A Doxiades, a Greek firm of Architects. Construction was started in October 1961, and the city came into life on 26 October, 1966, when the first office building of Islamabad was occupied. In 1967 Islamabad was officially made the capital, and work on the city's principal buildings, streets, and facilities was completed by the mid-1970s.

Baradari at Fatima Jinnah Park, Islamabad

In order to commemorate the big day for Pakistan, a set of two stamps was issued by Pakistan Post on 29^th November 1966. Both stamps valued at Paisa 15 and 50 , showed the Pakistan Flag with the building of Pakistan Secretariat offices in the background. On the right hand side, photos of the then president appear in uniform and in mufti.

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Islamabad since then has developed into a beautiful city and metropolis. I was a small kid in 1966 when I first saw Islamabad where my father was serving as the head of the Interpol Pakistan. I had a vivid memory of the straight road from Faizabad to Zero Point, which is presently under renovation. I visited many places like Shakarparian, where now the National Monument (photo on the right of the stamps) beautifully nestles and can be seen from far away atop the hills. 

Saidpur Village, the heritage village of Islamabad

The other places included the Saidpur Village which has now become a tourist attractive site. The Siraj Covered Market was a novel market, which has now been demolished. The capital is lush green in summers and is freezing cold in winters.

Islamabad landscape as of now [Photo]

Spectacular view of Blue Area, Islamabad [Photo]

On the eve of formal inauguration of Islamabad as the new capital of Pakistan, a set of two stamps was issued on 29th November 1966:

The stamps of Paisa 15 and 50 denomination showed the Pakistan flag, Islamabad Secretariat and portrait of President of Pakistan Muhammad Ayub Khan for Islamabad was his brainchild and he was fully involved in various phases of its planning, mapping, and development.

On 30th November 1985, a commemorative stamp of Rs. 3.00 denomination was issued on the eve of Silver Jubilee Celebrations of Islamabad.

Time flies by very quickly as Islamabad matured with skyscrapers and many beautiful malls and building dotting its landscape. On 31st December 2010, on the eve of 50th years (1960-2010)  celebrations of the capital city, Pakistan Post issued a Rs. 5.00 denomination stamp. The generally green coloured stamp  showed the view of Islamabad  & Words 1960-2010 with Black back ground. 

Photos: JalalsPages | Reference : | 1 | 2 |
Related Sites:

Islamabad – the Capital City

National Monument

Said Pur Village

Posted in: Commemorative,Pakistan