District-Census-Report-2023-Islamabad-1.pdf - Page 7

Population & Housing Census-2023 CDA RECENTLY COMPLETED PROJECTS

BHARA KAHU BYPASS

RAWAL CHOWK 2.1 Geographical Description of Islamabad Islamabad is located on the northern most edge of the tract known as Potohar plateau. The site is an uneven table and land is gradually rising in elevation from 500 to 600 meters above the sea level. In the extreme North, the hills rise more steeply. The highest point is 1600 meters above the sea level. Most of the Margalla range in the North West is composed of hill series belonging to the Eocence division of the tertiary period and are about 60 million years old. The rock formation consists of gray or dark coloured lime stone with layers of shale containing fossils. The land gradually slopes towards the south. The land is composed either of alluvium (clay or silt) or of gravel caps. The plains are formed of alluvial deposits laid by the past and the present river systems in varying thicknesses. A large part of the area is undulating and at various places it is badly dissected by gullies and ravines. The Korang stream has been dammed at a place named Rawal to form the Rawal lake. Anoth er dam has been built on the Soa n river to form the Simly lake.

Population & Housing Census-2023 Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, is a planned city created in 1960 at the foot of the Margala Hills just North of the old city of Rawalpindi. Rapid growth of both Islamabad and Rawalpindi cities population has made ever-increasing demands on natural resources and caused adverse effects on the environment. Major environmental concerns are (1) availability of building materials, (2) environmental degradation from extraction and processing of building materials, (3) availability of surface and ground water, (4) pollution of water by waste disposal, (5) geologic hazards, and (6) engineering characteristics of soil and rock. To maintain the quality of the capital, municipal authorities need relevant information on the physical environment to formulate future development programs. Rawalpindi, the twin city of Islamabad lies along the ancient trade route from Persia and Europe across the Khyber Pass to India. The area has been a cultural meeting place and invasion route for millennia and was visited by Alexander the Great, Genghis Kh an, the Moghul conquerors, and other prominent historical figures. Rawalpindi itself was settled around 1765 and grew to importance during the late 1800's, when it became an important staging ground for the British Afghan campaigns. Today it remains the site of a major military cantonment and headquarters of the Pakistan Armed Forces 2.2 Topography Islamabad is located at 33.43°N 73.04°E at the edge of the Pothohar Plateau at the foot of the Margalla Hills in Islamabad Capital Territory. Its elevation is 507 metres (1,663 ft). The modern capital and the ancient Gakhar city of Rawalpindi stand side by side and are commonly referred to as the Twin Cities. To the East of the city lies Murree and Kotli Sattian. To the North lies the Haripur District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Kahuta lies on the northeast, Taxila, Wah Cantt, and Attock District to the NorthWes t, Gujar Khan, Kallar Syedan, Rawat, and Mandrah on the NorthEast, and Rawalpindi to the SouthWest. Islamabad is located 120 kilometres (75 miles) SSW of Muzaffarabad, 185 kilometres (115 miles) east of Peshawar, 295 kilometres (183 miles) NNE of Lahore, and 300 kilometres (190 miles) WSW of Srinagar, the capital of Indian occupied Kashmir. The urban area is divided into eight zones: administrative, diplomatic, residential, institutional, industrial, and commercial areas, a greenbelt, and a national park. It includes an Olympic village gardens and dairy, poultry, and vegetable farms, as well as such institutions as the Atomic Research Institute and the National Health Centre. The name Islamabad ("City of Islam," or "City of Peace") was chosen to reflect the country's ideology. The planned capital area of 350 square miles (906 square km) is an expanse of natural terraces and meadows surrounding the city. A further 1,049 square miles (2,717 square km) of hinterland, known as the Specified Areas and subject to planning control, is roughly a trapezoid, with the Margala Hills, 3,000 to 5,000 feet (900 to 1,500 metres) high, in the North and NorthEast. The Southern portion is an undulating plain. It is drained by the Kurang River, on which the Rawal Dam forms a lake holding about 50,000 acre-feet (61,650,000 cubic metres) of water. Pop. (1998) city, 524,500; capital area, 799,000. 2.3 Water Resources The Soan and Kurang Rivers are the main streams draining the Islamabad area. Their primary tributaries are the Ling River, draining NorthWest ward into the Soan; Gumreh Kas, draining westward into the Kurang from the area between the Kurang and Soan; and L ei Nala, draining southward into the Soan

Population & Housing Census-2023 from the mountain front and urban areas. The Kurang and Soan Rivers are dammed at Rawal and Simbli Lakes, respectively, to supply water for the urban area. Extensive forest reserves in the headwaters of the Kurang and Soan Rivers benefit the quality and qu antity of supply. A supplemental network of municipal and private wells as deep as 200 meters (m) produces ground water primarily from Quaternary alluvial gravels. The altitude of the water table decreases from about 600 m at the foot of the Margalla Hills to less than 450 m near the Soan River, so that the saturated zone generally lies 2 -20 m below the natural ground surface (Ashraf and Hanif, 1980). Lei Nala carries most of the liquid waste from Rawalpindi and contributes greatly to the pollution of the Soan River belowRiver their confluence. Solid- waste disposal practices threaten the quality of ground -water reserves. Since ICT is located at the foot of the Himalaya's off -shoot i.e. Marghalla hills on the north and Murree and Kotli Sattian hills on the East, the area has natural slopes from east and north to South -West for speedily draining out the rain water. The Lei Nala enters ICT from Marghalla hills near the famous village Nurpur Shahan, passing through many urban sectors. There are several tributaries of Lei Nala joining it at various places in ICT. The Korang River enters into the district near Chatter Park and joins the Soan River near model village Humak after traversing through rural area of Islamabad and Rawalpindi districts. There is a famous lake and dam with a spillway known as the Rawal Lake and Rawal Dam, respectively, providing potable water to Rawalpindi city. GumarehKas stream originating from Murree hills at the dist rict boundary near village Jandala also joins the aforementioned river at Tarlai Kalan after running through the rural part of the district. ICT has two artificial reservoirs; Rawal, and Simly Dam. Rawal Dam is located within an isolated section of the Village Malpur, Bani Gala and Margalla Hills National Park, whereas Simly Dam is located 30 kilometres (19 miles) north of Islamabad. 2.4 Climate ICT has distinct seasons marked by wide variations in temperature. The coldest month is January when the mean maximum temperature is 18.1°C and the mean minimum temperature is 2.2°C. June is the hottest month when the mean maximum temperature is 37.9°C and the mean minimum temperature is 22.2°C. The city has two rainfall seasons, the summer season from July to September and the winter season from December to April. The bulk of monsoon precipitation occurs in the months of July and August, with monthly average of 368.6 and 334.7 millimeters respectively. The peaks of margalla hills are sometimes covered with snow during winter. Thunder storms are more pronounced during the months of July and August.
Table 2.1 gives the mean minimum and maximum temperatures and precipitation at Islamabad, Zero Point. These are the average estimates for the years 1981 to 2010 (Pakistan Meteorological Department 2013). Simly Dam Rawal Dam

Population & Housing Census-2023

2.5 Flora and Fauna Flora refers to the plant life found in a particular region. It is the naturally occurring or the indigenous native plant life whereas Fauna is all of the animal life present in a particular region or time. 2.5.1 Flora
On top of the Margalla hills is commonly found Chir Pine (Pinus logifolia), and Koa (Wild olive), Phulai (Acacia modesta) and Sienetha (Dodona-bura manniana). Shisham (Dalbergia sissoo), Toot (Morus- alba) and Paper Mulberry are also grown. A grass commonly found here is the Dab (Amuricatus). Wild products of plains include flower buds of the Kachnar, wild Pomegranate, Blackberries, Raspberries, Cranberries, wild Pears etc. Along the ravines small stunted bushes are found.
Margalla Hills in Islamabad have been declared as National Park since 1980 to conserve the existing flora and fauna. The selection of trees and shrubs species for plantation in Margalla Hills is limited to natural trees and plants species including:

Chir Pine
Olive
Phulai
Celtis
Snatha

Month Average Temperature (°C) Minimum Temperature (°C) Maximum Temperature (°C) Precipitation Rainfall (mm) Relative Humidity (%) January 10.2 2.2 18.1 59.0 92.8 February 13.0 5.1 20.0 89.0 89.5 March 17.1 9.6 24.6 87.7 87.4 April 22.3 14.1 30.5 59.6 83.3 May 27.4 18.7 36.0 38.2 71.2 June 30.1 22.2 37.9 78.2 72.1 July 29.1 23.8 34.8 368.6 87.6 August 28.4 23.4 33.3 334.7 92.5 September 26.6 20.3 33.0 123.3 92.1 October 21.8 13.2 30.4 32.7 92.3 November 16.5 7.1 25.8 11.9 93.3 December 11.5 3.2 20.4 40.4 93.9 Annual 20.9 2.2 28.3 1323.4 87.8 Chir Pine Phulai Snatha Olive Table

2.1: Average Monthly Minimum and Maximum Temperature (In centigrade) and Annual

Precipitation (In Millimeter)

Population & Housing Census-2023

Major local flowering trees and shrubs of Margalla include:

Dhak
Anar
Pear
Kachnar
Amaltas
Woodfordia
Jasmine
Holmskioldia
Toot

2.5.2 Fauna About a century ago, sometimes Tiger and Leopard were found in the forests and hills of Islamabad. Moreover, Bores, Foxes, Rabbits, and Jackals are generally seen in fields and forests. Chakor and Gray Partridge are also seen, while black partridge is rare. Geese are found in Soan valley, while Quails come annually in enormous number in the spring and autumn seasons

Dhak Kachnar

Woodfordia

Toot Jasmine

Amaltas Jackals Chakor Fox Quail Leopard Tiger

Population & Housing Census-2023 2.6 Ethnogrophy 2.6.1 Race and Tribe For study of ethnography, Islamabad can be divided into two parts and is categorized under potohar plateau: rural and urban. In Islamabad city, people belonging to all possible races and tribes of Pakistan are living, while people living in rural areas are mostly of Rajput caste, of which the notable sub-divisions are Bhatti, Rawal, Janjua, and Chohan. Besides, Gujar, Awan, Mughal, Qureshi, Syed, and Satti are also living in ICT. Some of the minor tribes are the Jat, Malyar, Pathan, and some Khattar. Potoha r Plateau is bounded on the East by the Jhelum River, on the West by the Indus River, on the North by the Kala Chitta Rangeand the Margalla Hills, and on the South by the Salt Range. The Kala Chitta Range thrusts eastward across the plateau towards Rawalpindi; the valleys of the Haro and Soan rivers cross the plateau from the Eastern foothills to the Indus. The land of Pothohar and in general the whole of the Indian subcontinent was attributed as "Golden Sparrow" by East India Company. The ramparts of the S alt Range stretching from East to West in the South separate Pothohar from the Punjab Plain. The Pothohar Plateau includes the current four districts of Jhelum, Chakwal, Rawalpindi, Attock. The terrain is undulating. The Kala Chitta Range rises to an avera ge height of 450-900 metres and extends for about 72 kilometres. The Swaan River starts from nearby Murree and ends near Kalabagh in the Indus river. Sakesar (Khushab District) is the highest mountain of this region and Tilla Jogian (Jhel um District) is second highest. The Pothohar region is home to a number of tribal groupings, many of whom occupy distinct tracts. The Jhelum District Gazetteer gave the following account of the tribal groupings at the beginning of the 20th century. Potohar is home to many different clans including Qazi, Khatris, Abbasi, Awans, Jatts, Bhatti Rajputs, Hanjra Rajput, (Janjua Rajputs), Thathals Rajputs, Satti Rajputs, Mangral Rajput, Tarkhans, Gujjars, Gakhar clans and many others. 2.7 Culture
Islamabad is built upon civilization and architecture that ranges from the 10 ᵗʰ Century to the modern era. As Islamabad is situated on the Potohar Plateau, the remains of civilization descending from stone-age era include the Acheulian and the Soanian traditions and these are tourist landmarks. Islamabad has an array of historic landmarks that reflect the Hindu civilization that dates back to the 16ᵗʰ Century with examples such as Saidpur village that is situated in Islamabad and has progressed from a village to a sacred place that includes temples where the Hindu Mughal Commanders worshipped.
A cobbled path and nearby ancient well on the pass north of Shah Allah Ditta, known as Kukkar Dara Kho is inventoried. On the southern slope below the pass of Shah Allah Ditta village is Saddhu Da Bagh (a spring and a Hindu priest's garden). Saidpur village Temple

Population & Housing Census-2023 Shah Allah Ditta caves are located on the route leading towards Khanpur. These caves are next to the shrine and tomb of Shah Allah Ditta. Around 2,400 -year-old Buddhist era murals of Buddha appear on the walls of caves at Shah Allah Ditta.
Archaeological evidence indicates that the caves and the platform-like formations surrounding the area were first used for meditation by Buddhist monks and later by Hindu sadhus before Muslim ascetics took over during the Mughal period.

Marked on the ground close to the caves is the location where Alexander arrived and was received by Raja Ambi, King of Taxila. The road next to the caves that leads to the main top of the mountain, Shah Allah Ditta road is said to be built on the exact path followed by Pashtun emperor Sher Shah Suri during his visit. Moving up the mountain from the caves, there is a step well called Losar Baoli and a mosque built by Shahab -ud-Din Ghori. The mosque has broken walls and the road leading to it is dilapidated. Islamabad Capital Territory is located on the Potohar Plateau where excavations have revealed evidence of a prehistoric culture. Relics and human skulls have been found dating back to 5000 BC that show this region was home to Neolithic people who settled on the banks of the Swaan River, and developed small communities in the region at around 3000 BC. Islamabad's cultural heritage includes various archaeological sites, government buildings, shrines, stupas, landmarks, and national monuments. According to one survey by Quaid -e-Azam University in 2010, there are around 450 heritage sites in the capital territory and adjoining Rawalpindi district. The Capital Development Authority formed a committee in 2011 to locate and preserve 150 of these historical and archaeological sites. In the modern Islamabad, Fatima Jinnah Park is a public recreational park, also considered as one of the biggest park in Pakistan, situated within the Sector F-9 of Islamabad, Pakistan. It is named after Fatima Jinnah, the younger sister of Quaid -e- Azam, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan. Fatima Jinnah Park vast acreage is mostly covered by greenery, with a few man-made structures dotting the landscape. Most of the park area is effectively a wildlife sanctuary, except for a few areas of the park that are close to residential district. The Park is bounded by a steel fence with entrance doors placed at regular intervals, although only a few are routinely open and used. A further strip of land outside of the fence is lined with a footpath. A well laid network of footpaths lies inside the park, with neat grass and a few statues. Shah Allah Ditta Cave Golra Sharif Shrine Lok Virsa Meseum, Shakarparian
Fatima Jinnah Park park

Population & Housing Census-2023 Jinnah Convention Centre (also known as National Convention Centre) is an exhibition and convention centre based in Islamabad, Pakistan. It is named after Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The convention centre was inaugurated in 1997 at the First Extraordinary Summit of OIC.

2.8 Culinary Diversity
Islamabad is home of many diplomats, Government officials and foreign workers. It has a variety of cuisines and food festivals celebrated through its ethnic groups with examples such as the Food Festival 2011, Austrian Food Festival 2013, Swiss Food Festivals and Turkish food festival 2018 etc. Islamabad has Pakistan's traditional food options such as Namkin Gosht, Nihari, Halwa Poori, Daal, Chapli Kebab etc. Islamabad's cuisine has further developed to foreign franchises such as McDonald's, KFC, Hardees, Subway, and TGI Fridays. Fast food chains are as common as traditional food. 2.9 Language In ICT, Punjabi is the most widely spoken language reported by 52.27% of the total population as their mother tongue. Followed by Pashto 18.50% and Urdu 12.23%. The share of other languages spoken in ICT are: Hindko 6.40%, Saraiki 2.12%, Kashmiri 2.09%, Sindhi 0.77%, Balochi 0.15%, Brahvi 0.13% and Others 5.34%. Jinnah Convention Centre park Des Pardes, Saidpur Village Marriott Hotel Highland Country Club

Islamabad Club Serena Hotal

Population & Housing Census-2023 2.10 Tradition and Custom Islamabad is home to many migrants from other regions of Pakistan and has a cultural and religious diversity of considerable antiquity. Due to its location on the Pothohar Plateau, where remnants of ancient cultures and civilizations, such as Aryan, Soanian, and Indus Valley civil ization, can still be found in this region. A 15th-century Gakhar fort (Pharwal a Fort) located near Islamabad. Rawat Fort built by the Gakhars in the 16th century, which contains the grave of the Ga khar chief, Sultan Sarang Khan.
Saidpur village is named after Sai d Khan, the son of Sarang Khan. The village, over 500 years old, was converted into a Hindu worship site by Mughal commander Raja Man Singh. He c onstructed a number of small ponds include: Rama kunda, Sita kunda, Lakshaman kunda , Hanuman kunda . The region c ontains a small preserved Hindu temple, indicating the presence of Hindu people in the region. Lok Virsa Museum in Islamabad p reserves a wide variety of folk and traditional cultural legacies of Pakistan. It is located near the Shakarparian hills. Displays include embroidered costumes, jewellery, musical instruments, woodwork, utensils, and folkloristic objects from the region and other parts of Pakistan. Lok Virsa Museum, also known as the National Institute of Folk & Traditional Heritage, is a museum of history, art and culture in Islamabad,
located on the S hakarparian Hills. The museum opened in 1974 and became an autonomous institute in 2002 following the Lok Virsa Legal Status ordinance,2002. The museum c onsists of several buildings and an outdoor museum which can accommodate up to 3000 visitors.
Lok Virsa Museum Saidpur village Heritage Museum

Population & Housing Census-2023 2.11 Places of Interest The Important places of interest are as under I. Faisal Mosque The mosque features a contemporary design consisting of eight sides of concrete shell and is inspired by a Bedouin tent. The mosque is a major tourist attraction, and is referred as a contemporary and influential feature of Islamic architecture.
II. Shrine of Syed Pir Mehr Ali Shah (R.A) The shrine of Sufi mystic Pir Meher Ali Shah (R.A) is located at Golra Sharif, which has a rich cultural heritage of the pre -Islamic period. The Shrine of Syed Meher Ali Shah (R.A) of Golra Sharif is situated in E-11, Islamabad. He was a Sufi scholar of the Chisti order and this shrine is a beautiful Islamic architecture site and centre of spiritual light for seekers. III. Shrine of Shah Abdul Latif (R.A) (Bari Imam) Nurpūr Shahan, a village situated at the foot of Margallah Hills, near Quaid -e-Azam University, is famous for the mirror-studded shrine of Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif (R.A), popularly known as Bari Imam. The shrine of Bari Imam was built by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. The death anniversary (Urs) of Bari Imam is observed in the first week of May, beginning Monday through Thursday, with a lot of festivities representing the Potohar culture and attracts people from all over the country. The event is one of the largest religious gatherings in Islamabad.

IV. Shakarparian Hill The historic Shakarparian Hills is famous for the trees planted by various Head of State and Government. The beautiful part with its central fountain and panoramic view of the whole city from a vantage point at a height of 609.06 meters, is one of Islamabad's favourite recreation spots.

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