Islamabad was selected by a Commission appointed in 1959 to recommend the
location of the Capital of Pakistan in place of
Karachi in which the Capital of the country was established at Independence
in 1947. The Capital Development Authority
(CDA) was constituted and entrusted with the planning and development of Islamabad.
The resposibility has remained with the
CDA since, including all Municipal services. Intially the Capital was shifted
from Karachi to Rawalpindi in 1959. However, by
1963, the new city came to life with the shifting of the pioneer residents.
Until 1981, Islamabad was part of the Punjab
Province, when Islamabad Capital territory was demarcated and placed under
Federal jurisdiction and administration.
Islamabad, with an area of 906.5 kms, is situated at the fool of Murree Hills,
and forms the north-east part of the Potwar
Plateau. The capital area is bordered to the north-east by hills and hillspurs
of Margalla range with elevation of 762 to 1,615.5
meters. The Margalla range takes sharp curve at its eastern side and assumes
an almost north-south direction. The area enjoys
a pleasant climate. The maximum average in winter is 16.7°C and minimum
3.4°C; in summer it is 34.2°C and 24.4°C. The
Aiwan-e-Sadr (Presidency), Parliament Building, Secretariat Blocks, Supreme
Court of Pakistan's Building, State Bank
Complex, Rawal Lake, and Faisal Mosque are some of the capital's land marks.
The local head of Territory's administration is designated as Administrator,
who is assisted by Inspector General of Police,
Deputy Commissioner, and other functionaries at the district and subdivision
levels. Subject to such general or speacial
instructions as may, form time to time, be given to the Administrator by the
Federal Government, he has, in respect of the
Islamabad Capital Territory, all the powers and duties conferred on the Provincial
Government under law for the time being in
force in the Territory.