Pakistan came into being in the year 1947 on 14th of August. At the time after its establishment, the coastal city Karachi had been its capital suggested by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah who was the founder of Pakistan. Later on Islamabad which is previously known as “Potowar Region” has become its capital in 1960s.
Mostly the capital of any country is the one which is heavily populated and has some historical importance in terms of political events and democratic matters. Moreover, a capital of a country should be the city which can be protected from enemies attack at the time of wars.
Islamabad due to its historical importance and well-protected location as compared to Karachi replaced this coastal city as a Capital of Pakistan. Karachi city remained Pakistan’s Capital for 11 years after the year of Independence. The population of Karachi after the independence of India increased from 1 million to around 7 million when Indian population migrated towards Karachi who are known as Muhajirs. This migration and sudden increase of population resulted in many problems in terms of inadequate provision of facilities such as transport and sanitation issues etc.
The military president Ayub Khan suggested to change the Capital of Pakistan from Karachi to Rawalpindi in the year 1958 and then to Islamabad in 1960s because it is near the headquarters of Pakistan Armed Forces of Rawalpindi and safe enough against invasion. Islamabad is surrounded by the mountains of Himalayas from North, East & West and thus this city is completely defendable against wars from these three directions. In the South, it is covered by Kurang River that flows with the streams coming from Margalla Hills towards the Rawal Lake Islamabad making this direction difficult and far enough for the Indian forces to cross. Another reason of changing Pakistan’s capital from Karachi to Islamabad is that, it is located at the Pothwar Plateau. It is very difficult for the enemies of Pakistan to attack Islamabad city. If they try to attack, they will have to cover hundreds of miles to access the city.
On the contrary, Karachi city is very close to Indian border and highly unsafe against Indian attacks and thus this city is unable to perform political operations as a Country’s Capital. That’s why Islamabad has proved to be a Country’s Capital city in almost all aspects as it is much safer than any other cities of Pakistan.
Mostly the capital of any country is the one which is heavily populated and has some historical importance in terms of political events and democratic matters. Moreover, a capital of a country should be the city which can be protected from enemies attack at the time of wars.
Islamabad due to its historical importance and well-protected location as compared to Karachi replaced this coastal city as a Capital of Pakistan. Karachi city remained Pakistan’s Capital for 11 years after the year of Independence. The population of Karachi after the independence of India increased from 1 million to around 7 million when Indian population migrated towards Karachi who are known as Muhajirs. This migration and sudden increase of population resulted in many problems in terms of inadequate provision of facilities such as transport and sanitation issues etc.
The military president Ayub Khan suggested to change the Capital of Pakistan from Karachi to Rawalpindi in the year 1958 and then to Islamabad in 1960s because it is near the headquarters of Pakistan Armed Forces of Rawalpindi and safe enough against invasion. Islamabad is surrounded by the mountains of Himalayas from North, East & West and thus this city is completely defendable against wars from these three directions. In the South, it is covered by Kurang River that flows with the streams coming from Margalla Hills towards the Rawal Lake Islamabad making this direction difficult and far enough for the Indian forces to cross. Another reason of changing Pakistan’s capital from Karachi to Islamabad is that, it is located at the Pothwar Plateau. It is very difficult for the enemies of Pakistan to attack Islamabad city. If they try to attack, they will have to cover hundreds of miles to access the city.
On the contrary, Karachi city is very close to Indian border and highly unsafe against Indian attacks and thus this city is unable to perform political operations as a Country’s Capital. That’s why Islamabad has proved to be a Country’s Capital city in almost all aspects as it is much safer than any other cities of Pakistan.
