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Islamabad Capital Territory
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The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT for short) is one of the two federal territories of Pakistan. It includes Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan, and covers an area of 1,165.5 kmē, of this Islamabad city covers an area of 906 kmē, or 350 square miles. It is represented in the National Assembly by two constituencies, namely NA-48 and NA-49.
land was acquired from the North-West Frontier Province and Punjab in 1960, for the purpose of establishing Pakistan's new capital.
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Encyclopedia
The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT for short) is one of the two federal territories of Pakistan. It includes Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan, and covers an area of 1,165.5 kmē, of this Islamabad city covers an area of 906 kmē, or 350 square miles. It is represented in the National Assembly by two constituencies, namely NA-48 and NA-49.
History
The land was acquired from the North-West Frontier Province and Punjab in 1960, for the purpose of establishing Pakistan's new capital. According to the 1960 master plan, the ICT included the city of Rawalpindi, and was to be utilized as following:
- Rawalpindi; 259 kmē
- Islamabad Proper (including the institutional and industrial areas); 220.15 kmē
- Islamabad (Margalla Hills) Park; 220.15 kmē
- Islamabad Rural Area; 446.20 kmē
However, the city of Rawalpindi was eventually excluded from ICT. The remainder of the territory is now subdivided into 5 zones, with zone I designated to house all the residential, industrial and government institutions. Punjab is located to the south of the ICT, and North-West Frontier Province is located to the north west.
Introduction
Islamabad was designed and built to be a modern capital for Pakistan. It is located amongst the Margalla Hills at the northern end of Potohar Plateau. It was established in 1960, on the orders of then President General Ayub Khan.
The capital is full of natural terraces and meadows, and covers the southern plain, which is drained by the Kurang River. The Margalla Hills lie to the north east of the ICT.
Union Councils
Rural ICT is divided into 12 union councils. As far as development is concern, most of the Union Councils are neglected by the District Administration/CDA except for Union Council Koral which is the biggest and most developed union council of the ICT. This Union Council is working hard for the development of the area under the Administratorship of Assistant Commissioner of Islamabad, and with the rural and management skills of Mr Idrees Khan.
Efforts are being made towards the establishment of a local Government system in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), which is still not in place in ICT as local government systems exist in other parts of the country. In 2005, the Ministry of Interior divided the ICT into 40 union councils 26 union councils in urban areas of the ICT, and 14 union councils in the rural areas. However, the Union Council system is yet to be implemented.
The table below lists the 20 union councils, each union council is named after the main town (e.g. Rewat or Tarnol), and shows the areas under its jurisdiction.
Area and population
The city is divided into eight basic zone types:
- Administrative zone;
- Diplomatic Enclave zone;
- Residential Areas;
- Educational Sectors;
- Industrial Sectors;
- Commercial Areas;
- Rural Areas;
- Green Areas.
Each sector has its own shopping area, a green belt (which goes across the whole sector in a straight line) and public park. The population of the city is around 950,000 people of which 66% is urban. It is thus the most advanced region in Pakistan. It has an area of about 910 square kilometres. The city lies at latitudes 33° 49' north and longitudes 72° 24' east with altitudes ranging from 457 to 610 meters.
Notable tribes
While urban Islamabad has people from all over Pakistan, the rural areas are home to a number of Potohari speaking tribal communities. Here are the main ones:
- Dhanyal is one of the largest tribes living in the areas on the Potohar plateau and Lower Himalayas. This tribe traces their lineage to Ali ibn Abi-Talib. Most of the Dhanyals are settled in the cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad and in Murree Hills. Other branches of the tribe live in Kashmir, Abbottabad, Sialkot and Hazara.
Dhanyals are famous for their bravery. Members of this tribe were recruited into the armies of the Mughal Empire, British Empire and, after the Indian colony achieved independence, into the Pakistani Army.
Since attaining independence from the British Empire in 1947 though, the Dhanyals living in urban areas have turned to other fields such as education, medicine, engineering and business and social sciences. The literacy rate of this tribe is 100%.
History: The name 'Dhanyal' is derived from Mohazzam Shah which was the name chief and famous Sufi saint of Lower Himalayas who shifted from Dhan (old name of Chakwal) in the late 12th century. The forefathers of Mohazzam Shah ruled Multan state for about 190 years. They were Alvis, and were shifted into Multan from Iraq in about the
8th century. Mohazzam Shah had supported Shahabuddin Ghouri to curb the activities of the Rajputs, who always attacked the Muslim armies of Shahbuddin Ghouri. Due to the influence of Mohassam Shah aias Hazrat Baba Dhani Pir, many non-Muslims of this area converted to Islam. Mohazzam Shah sacrificed his life in a battle against the Sikhs in Kashmir in the 13th century. Mohazzam Shah was the spiritual leader of the Dhanyal, Satti and Abbasi tribes in the area of Murree Hills, around the plains of Potohar and Kashmir.
Hazrat Baba Dhani Pir's shrine is situated in Mouri Sayyaedan, a valley on the Lehtrar road, in Islamabad. An Urs (annual death anniversary) is held every year, in April, at his shrine.
The ICT territory is home to number of Rajput tribes, such the Dhamial, Ranial, Baghial, Janjua Rajput and Hon Rajputs.
Rajput villages in the Rewat Union Council are Bhangreel Kalan, Bhangreel Khurd, Kortara, Takht Pari, Shadi Dhamial, Mohra Amir, Sood Gangal, Mohri Khumbal, Hoon Dhamial, and Bhima Kanait.
Climate
The average humidity level is 55%, with an average rainfall of 1450 millimeters each year. The maximum average temperature is 29°C and the minimum average temperature attained here during the year is generally around 11°C.
Flora and fauna
- Flora of Islamabad Capital Territory
- Fauna of Islamabad Capital Territory
Territorial symbols of Islamabad
Education
Islamabad has some of Pakistan's major universities, including Quaid-i-Azam University, the International Islamic University, and the National University of Sciences and Technology.
Quaid-e-Azam University offers courses in a number of subjects. The institute is located in a semi-hilly area, east of the Secretariat buildings and near the base of Margala Hills. This Post-Graduate institute is spread over 1,500 acres (6 kmē). Major buildings of the campus have been designed in such a way as to form an axial spine with the library in the center.
Other universities situated in Islamabad, other than those mentioned above, include the following:
Shah Faisal mosque
The Shah Faisal Mosque, at the foot of the Margalla Hills, is the national mosque of Pakistan. It represents an eight-faceted desert 'tent' supported on four giant concrete girders and surrounded by four 90-metre high concrete minarets. The central 'tent' is faced in white marble and decorated inside with mosaics and a spectacular chandelier. The mosque was designed by the Turkish architect Vedat Dalokay, and largely financed by donations from Saudi Arabia. The mosque is named after former King Faisal of Saudi Arabia. There is a capacity for about 15,000 people inside the mosque, with room for another 85,000 in the courtyard.
See also
External links
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