City & Hotel Information

Introduction

Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, is located against the backdrop of Margalla Hills at the northern edge of Potohar Plateau. In contrast to its twin city Rawalpindi, it is lush green, spacious and peaceful. Most travelers will prefer the hustle and bustle of Pindi, but Islamabad has all the embassies and some other very useful institutions for travelers, so it is quite likely you will at least be coming over from Pindi a few times.

The master plan of this most modern city was prepared in 1960 by M/S Constantions doxiades, a Greek firm of Architects. Construction was started in October 1961. The city came into life on 26 October 1966, when the first office building of Islamabad was occupied. It is modern and carefully planned city.

There are ample opportunities for walking, jogging, hiking and trekking around Islamabad in the Margalla Hills.If you are a hiker, then Margalla Hills are the best place to go, especially trail no3, you are likely to meet a very sophisticated crowd and a lot of foreigners. If you just wanna have a good time, go on the top, Pir Suhawa is a fun place, eat as much as you want or just look over Islamabad.

Source(http://www.world66.com/asia/southasia/pakistan/islamabad)

Tourism and Sightseeing

With regard to sightseeing, the views from the sculpted gardens of Islamabad's Shakar Parian Hills, the fascinating Heritage Museum, and the huge marble statue of Shah Faisal Mosque are highlights of the modern city. To the west of Islamabad is the Buddhist site of Taxila, dating from 500 BC. Sculptures here show a strong Greek influence, a result of Alexander the Great's journey through the region. The commercial center of Islamabad is known as the Blue Area and runs along the length of Jinnah Avenue. Its eastern end runs into Parliament Road, where the majority of government buildings are located.

The city is very green, with much afforestation of what was formerly scrub forest and open ground. The city's climate has enabled the introduction of many exotic plants into the area. There is also much wildlife in the north in the Margalla hills, which have been turned into a national park.

Tourist Attractions and Facilities Margalla hills Shah Faisal Mosque, Islamabad Daman-e-Koh Shaker Parrian Golra Sharif Lok Virsa Museum Murghzar Zoo and Japanese Park Rawal Dam Rose and Jasmine Garden Pir Sohawa

Islamabad Map

• Air University
• Al-Huda University
• Allama Iqbal Open University
• Bahria University
• COMSATS Institute of Information Technology
• Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science & Technology
• Hamdard University
• International Islamic University
• Muhammad Ali Jinnah University
• National University of Computer & Emerging Sciences(FAST-NUCES)
• National University of Modern Languages
• Institute of Space Technology
• Quaid-i-Azam University
• Shifa College of Medicine
• Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology (SZABIST)
  
  

Hotels Information

Islamabad Marriott Hotel	Holiday Inn Hotel
Agha Khan Road, Shalimar 5, P.O.Box 1251 Islamabad, 44000 Phone: +92 (51) 111-223344, 2826121 Fax: +92 (51) 2820648, 2825113 Email:marriott@isb.paknet.com.pk Rooms are available on discount rate for Confernce Partcipants. Plz Contact	G-6 CIVIC CENTRE, P.O.BOX 1373 Islamabad, 44000 Phone: +92 (51) 00800 90 971 005 Fax: +92 (51)-2273273 Email:holiday@isb.comsats.net.pk Rooms are available on discount rate for Confernce Partcipants. Plz Contact
Islamabad Serena Hotel	Pearl Continental Hotel
Khayaban-e-Suhrawardy Islamabad Phone: +92 (51) 111-133-133, 2874000 Fax: +92 (51) 2871092, 2871001 Email: dsish@serena.com.pk	The Mall Road, PO Box 211, Rawalpindi Phone: +92 (51) 5562700, 111-505-505 Fax: +92 (51) 5563927, 5562995 Email: pchr@hashoogroup.com