Pakistan

Islamabad is Pakistan’s capital, a planned city built in the 1960s to replace Karachi as the seat of government; Rawalpindi served as an interim capital until the move was completed in 1967. Set at the foot of the Margalla Hills, Islamabad was chosen for its central location, security, milder climate, and as a neutral symbol distinct from any single province. Karachi, while the largest city and economic hub—and Pakistan’s first capital—no longer hosts the federal government; Lahore is the cultural heart of Punjab; Peshawar is the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Memory tip: Pakistan’s government “IS” in ISlamabad.