Islamabad - The Capital of Pakistan
Before this, it was just a small village, a part of which still exists with its mud houses and typical village life. It is a well-planned modern city with large public buildings, attractive parks, and wide boulevards, beautiful Shah Faisal Mosque and well laid out shopping centers. The Rawal Dam is a popular picnic spot.
The idea for a permanent capital Islamabad emerged after a few years after Pakistan's independence in 1947. Even though Karachi was by all means Pakistan's commercial capital it had a few shortcomings as an administrative center. Therefore, a study for a possible ideal location was done in 1959 and the present site was selected. The Capital Commission reviewed a few model cities like Brasilia, Washington D.C. and Canberra. Finally M/s. Constantinos Doxiades laid out the master plan for this city in 1960, a Greek firm of Architects and the construction of this new city started in October 1961. The city came into life on October 26, 1966, when the first office building of Islamabad was occupied. The Margalla Hill range offers excellent opportunities for short and long hikes with magnificent vistas opening up on all sides.
Islamabad is a city of modern architecture. The roads are wide and along them run the green belt throughout. Blue Area, Jinnah Super and Aabpara are the main commercial areas. Among the buildings, the new Prime Minister's Secretariat, Assembly building, Awami Markaz, Diplomatic Enclave and the great Faisal Mosque are worth seeing.
Rawalpindi
On the basis of archaeological discoveries, they believe that a distinct culture flourished on this plateau as far back as 3000 years. The material remains found in the city of Rawalpindi prove the existence of Buddhist establishment contemporary to Taxila but less celebrated than its neighbors. Both of these cities (or this twin-city) are less than an hour drive from the historical city of Taxila.
Travelers entering Islamabad for the first time are struck by its greenery. More than six million trees have been planted here since the foundations were laid. The result is that, from the air, the capital seems to have been thrown down in the midst of a virgin forest. The best viewpoint is from Daman-e-Koh, a terraced garden on the Margalla hills, from where it is possible to see the whole of Islamabad spread out in front, dominated by the towering minarets of the Shah Faisal Mosque.
Rawalpindi though a twin city to Islamabad, is the main city with a population of around 2 million. Rawalpindi was the garrison town in the British times and even now it is the headquarters of Pakistan Army.
Rawalpindi means the abode or settlement of Rawal. Some accounts maintain that Rawal, a Gakkhar Chief, founded the town 400 to 500 years ago; others believe that Rawal was a small village a few kilometers to the north of the present city which was itself named after the Illawals, a tribe of yogis.
Weather in Rawalpindi and Islamabad may be considered as extreme. In winters sometimes it falls below freezing and summers are rather hot. Sometimes it goes upto 50 degrees Celsius. Islamabad, having lots of trees is a little bit cooler than Rawalpindi but it is hard to decide where Rawalpindi ends and where Islamabad begins.
Being close to the Hindukush Mountain range, some low-scale earthquakes are experienced sometimes. This is the same mountain range in which lies the world-renowned K-2. Just a couple of hundered miles from Rawalpindi-Islamabad, is this big mountain range which contains 9 of the 13 highest peaks in the world.
Some Interesting Places Around Rawalpindi/Islamabad
Chattar
This resort nestles at the base of Murree hills at a distance of 15 km on Islamabad-Murree road. This place offers scenic walks, gently flowing stream, waterfall and the surrounding hillside are a perfect attraction. The resort has a restaurant, barbecue and two air-conditioned tourist cottages. The Children's Park and playground are spread over an area of 12.5 acres.
Margalla Pass
This small pass is located 26 km west of Islamabad on G.T. Road. Margalla is mentioned in the writings of historians and emperors like Alberuni, Ferishta and Jehangir. Today, it is a pass between the ancient capital of Gandhara i.e. Taxila, and the modern capital of Pakistan, i.e. Islamabad. There is an obelisk right on the top of the Pass, built in 1890 in memory of Brig. Gen. John Nicholson (died on 23 September 1857) of British army, by his colleagues. A small part of the ancient Shahi (Royal) Road can be seen just across the pass, left of G.T. Road. This road was first built by the Persians in 516 BC and later developed by the Afghan King Sher Shah Suri in 1540s. An inscription on the western side of this stone pavement shows that it was again repaired in 1672 AD.
Wah Gardens
Once a major campsite of Mughal rulers on way to their journeys to Kashmir, Wah Gardens are located 12 km west of Taxila on G.T. Road. The gardens were developed with magnificent trees by Mughal emperors. Tapering cypress trees, loved by the Mughals, line the canals through which cool waters once flowed between elegant romantic and cascading into large reflecting basins. The gardens are being restored to their original beauty, by the Department of Archaeology, Government of Pakistan.
Taxila
Taxila is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. At one time it was the center of Buddhism, world's famous Gandhara sculpture and the center of learning and culture. This is the land, which attracted Alexander the Great from Macedonia in 326 B.C., with whom the influence of Greek culture came to this part of the world.
Exploring Taxila is a multi-dimensional experience. The richness and variety of the famed Gandhara sculpture will attract you. There are many images of Buddha, in stone and stucco and numerous panels depicting all the important stages of the great sage's life, times of one of the world's most impressive men of peace Gautama Buddha.
Hasan Abdal
Hasan Abdal is 48 km from Rawalpindi. It is a beautiful, quiet place and a convenient halting point of G.T. Road enroute to Peshawar or Abbottabad. This town has a particular association with Mughals and Sikhs. It was mentioned by Emperor Jehangir in his memoirs and frequently visited by successive Mughal Kings, on their way to Kashmir. It remained a holy place for various religious groups through the ages. It has a Sikh Gurdwara (temple) known as Panja Sahib having a sacred rock with the handprint of their religious leader, Guru Nanak. Twice a year, Sikh pilgrims visit this Gurdwara from all over the world. Two other historical buildings of Mughal era - Muqbara Hakeeman and so-called tomb of Lala Rukh are located just opposite the Gurdwara.
On the nearby hill, at an altitude of 714 meters, there is a meditation chamber related to a 15th century Muslim Saint, Baba Wali Qandhari, popularly known as Baba Hasan Abdal. The saint stayed in Hasan Abdal from 1406-1416 AD but died and was buried in village Baba Wali near Qandhar (Afghanistan). The devotees and visitors climb over the steps leading to the hill, for offerings and to have a panoramic view of Hasan Abdal.
Bazaars
From Murree Road turn left on to Liaquat Road, and you reach the Raja Bazar, which is heart of the city.
Behind Flashman's in the Cantonment is Saddar Bazaar, the center not only for shopping but also for hotels, banks, airlines and travel agents. The heart of the bazaar is along Kashmir Road and Massey Gate. 
The bazaars of Rawalpindi are rewarding to explore.
Distances
Rawalpindi is at a distance of 275 km from Lahore and 177 km from Peshawar.