Travel Guide To Islamabad, Pakistan

It is the purpose-built capital of Pakistan. It lies against the surroundings of the Margalla Hills at the northern end of Pothowar Plateau. The city was built intentionally to serve as the capital city of Pakistan in 1960 by the orders of then President General Ayub Khan.

The capital is full of natural terraces and meadows and the southern plain drained by the Kurang River with the Margalla Hills in the north east.

The city is divided into eight basic zones: Administrative, Diplomatic Enclave, Residential Areas, Educational Sectors, Industrial Sectors, Commercial Areas, Rural Areas and Green Areas.

A relatively quiet city, Islamabad consists of mainly Federal Government offices, Parliment House, the official residences of the President and Prime Minister along with the Diplomatic Enclave, an area next to the Parliament House dedicated to foreign embassies and missions appointed in Pakistan.

Islamabad remains a city where people come from all over the country to enjoy its peaceful, noise-free atmosphere with a lot of greenery and nice surrounding scenery. It also serves as a base camp for people from the south and coastal areas like Karachi visiting valleys like Swat and Kaghan and northern areas like Gilgit, Hunza, Skardu & Chitral located in the Himalayas mountains.

Islamabad is well connected to all parts of the country as well as to the world. The M1 and M2 motorway links connects the capital to major cities of the country like Lahore, Peshawar and Faisalabad. Islamabad International Airport serves all major routes to important locations with well known airlines.

It offers a healthy climate, pollution free atmosphere, plenty of water and lush green area. It is a modern and carefully planned city with wide tree-lined streets, large houses elegant public buildings and well-organised bazars/markets/shopping centres.

The average humidity level is 55% with an average rainfall of 1150 millimeters each year. The city is quite moderate in case of its wether. The maximum average temperature is 29C and goes down to average minimum of around 14C.

Getting there and getting around

Islamabad can be reached in from around 28 locations in UK and Ireland with airlines such as PIA, Etihad Airways, Emirates Airlines, Qatar Airways, Gulf Air, Kuwait Airways, Oman Air, Saudi Arabian Airlines and Thai Airways.

Benazir Bhutto International Airport receives flights from a variety of international destinations, including London, Dubai (both via Etihad or Pakistan International Airlines), and other Asian cities such as Urumqi (China Southern Airlines) and Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan Airlines). A taxi from the airport to Islamabad is around Rs400 (in a yellow non a/c cab). You can easily walk out of the airport and hail a taxi to get a cheaper price.

Other modes of transport include train, bus, taxi and car with various economical choices and packages.

Places to see

Some of the must-see places in / around Islamabad are Lok Virsa Museum, National Art Gallery, Private Art Galleries, Rohtas Gallery, Blue Area, Daman-e-Koh, Japanese park, Islamabad Zoo, Pir Sohawa, Faisal Masjid, Shakarpariyan,National Monument, Lake View Park, Fatima Jinnah Park, The Saidpur Village, Rose & Jasmine Garden, Margalla Hills, Pakistan Museum of National History, Chattar Bagh, Imam Bari Shrine, Golra Sharif, Golra Pakistan Railways Heritage Museum, Rawal Lake, Para Gliding, Potohari - Art & Craft Village, Simli Dam Lake, Khanpur Dam Lake. Anchorage, Pakistan Army Museum, Taxila Museum, PlayLand, Supreme Court Of Pakistan, Liaqat Gymnasium, Jinnah Sports Stadium and Murree Hills.

Food & Drink

The renowned eateries in / around Islamabad include, but are not limited to, Majlis, Mango Tree/Nana's Kitchen, Table Talk, Khiva, Nandos, Cafe Khaas, Luna Caprese, Upper Deck, Namak Mandi, Ye Olde Hangout, Civil Junction, Hot Spot, Pizza Hut, Kabul Resturant, Seoul Club Korean restaurant, China Town Resturant, Mc Donald's, Italian Oven, Lebanese Cafe, Eclipse cafe, Masoom's Cafe, Melody Food Park, Rakaposhi, Kamran Restaurant, Khyber Afghan Resturant, Tapas, Habibi, Hot Plate, Red Onion, Lasania Resturant, Cinnamon, The Cave, Rahat Bakers, Sub way, Domino's Pizza, Usmania Resturant, Bolan Saltish, Jahangir's, Bar-B-Q Tonight, Kanpai, Cordon Rouge, Des Pardes, Polo Lounge and Monal.

When it comes to drinking Islamabad has got even more to offer. E.g. Gelato Affairs, Mocca Coffe, Jia's Deli, Neel's Corner ,Rumors (Marriot) and The French Diplomatic Enclave.

Entry Requirements - Visas

If you are travelling to Pakistan on a British passport, you require a visa. You should be aware that visa violations can be treated as a criminal offence and could result in a fine or a short detention.

Journalists' visas often have additional travel restrictions, which should be observed. For further information consult the High Commission for The Islamic Republic of Pakistan in London.

British nationals travelling on a Pakistani passport will need the appropriate visa to re-enter the UK. Children need their own passports.

Entry Requirements - Passport validity

Your passport has to be valid for a minimum of six months at the time of application for a visa.

Entry Requirements - Travelling with children

A parent or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that the immigration authorities demand documentary evidence of parental responsibility, particularly if the child is of Pakistani origin, before allowing the children to leave the country.

Pakistan, Islamabad, British High Commission

Address:
British High Commission
Diplomatic Enclave
Ramna 5
P O Box 1122
Islamabad
Fax:
00 92 51 201 2031 (Trade and Investment Fax)
00 92 51 201 2028 (Management Section Fax)
00 92 51 201 2043 (Press & Public Affairs Fax)
00 92 51 201 2019 (Consular Section Fax)

Email:
Cons.Islamabad@fco.gov.uk
Tradeuk@cyber.net.pk
bhc-ukti@dsl.net.pk
bhcmedia@dsl.net.pk

Office hours:
GMT:
Mon-Thurs: 0300-1115; Fri: 0300-0800
Local Time:
Mon-Thurs: 0800-1615; Fri: 0800-1300

Click here for any queries related to visas
Website: http://www.ukinpakistan.fco.gov.uk

Country	Paksitan
Time Zone	PST (UTC+5)
Postal Code	44000
Dialing Code	051

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